Football – England – League Two
Saturday 30th August 2014 – Kickoff: 1500hrs
Northampton Town boss Chris Wilder has issued a challenge to his players to bounce back with a win this afternoon against Exeter City following their midweek League Cup defeat at Championship outfit Bournemouth in the second round.
Northampton were pretty much outclassed by The Cherries at Dean Court but they now get back to their Sixfields Stadium today with a visit from early season strugglers Exeter City who have lost both of their opening away matches so far.
The Cobblers began their new campaign with a 1-0 home win over Mansfield Town and although they currently sit in a mid-table position at the moment, there has been a definite shift in their performances and results since Chris Wilder left Oxford United to take over the helm.
Just six further defeats for NorthamptonTown out of their last 24 matches is proof of Wilder’s influence as he saved The Cobblers from almost certain relegation down to the Conference last season. A last day 3-1 win over former club Oxford United would have been a sweet moment for Wilder.
Onto Exeter City now and the west country outfit find themselves struggling early on in this new campaign and still in search of their first league win of the season. Draws at home against Portsmouth and York City have been an okay mark for The Grecians, but defeat at west country rivals Plymouth Argyle 0-3 would have been a bitter pill to swallow along with a 0-1 loss at Burton Albion.
Manager Paul Tisdale’s trimmed down squad may face a struggle to retain their League Two status this term if injuries occur later down the track as we’ve already seen what impact a flu bug can have on their personnel.
Northampton have lost just twice in their last ten league matches and together with Exeter’s goalscoring difficulties on the road, I’ll back The Cobblers to claim the three points here today in what could be a narrow 1-0 win.
Pick: Northampton Town straight win @ 1.87 Bet Victor
