Cobblers

After the anti-climax that was the AGM, it’s back to football action with a trip to Northampton. Crewe will move out of the bottom four on Saturday if they get three points against Northampton, but it won’t be an easy task.

The Cobblers are making a surge for the play-offs at the moment, and just two defeats in their last twelve games makes them one of the form teams of the division. Sitting 10th in League One, they are still only three points of the top six – so a play-off place is certainly in their sights.

Their great start to 2008 can probably be put down to a few shrewd signings by manager Stuart Gray. Mark Little (Wolves) and Jonathan Hayes (Leicester) have both been on loan, whilst Hungarian Gabor Gyepes has played every game since arriving at the start of February. Shrewest of all perhaps is Adebayo Akinfenwa; the former Millwall striker already has four goals to his name after just two starts and two substitute appearances.

Vital Quotes:

Town manager Stuart Gray wants his team to get in the faces of the Alex players to stop their passing game.

He said: ‘Crewe have dropped into the bottom four and they will want to come here on this lovely pitch and play the way they like to,’

‘If we let them play they want to we’ll have problems. It’s very important that we set the tempo in this game.

‘We’ve got to get after them, get in their faces and keep closing them down.’

Northampton Town Team News:

Brett Johnson (hamstring), Colin Larkin (groin), Danny May (calf), Chris Doig (hamstring) and Alex Dyer are all out injured.

However, Northampton look set to be unchanged from last weeks 1-0 win against Hartlepool.

Player to watch: Adebayo Akinfenwa

Akinfenwa is in fine goal scoring form; keep him out and we’re half way there.

Crewe Alexandra Team News:

The Alex too are set to be unchanged yet again. Danny Woodards is back fit but looks like he will have to make do with a place on the bench whilst George Abbey continues at right back.

Julien Baudet has shaken off a knock, whilst Neil Cox joins Ben Rix on the long term injury front. Billy Jones is still out.

Player to watch: Gary Roberts

Well, one of them will hopefully do well.

Match Facts & Stats

There have been 57 meetings between the two sides. Northampton come out on top with 23 wins to the Railwaymen’s 22. There have been 12 draws.

Next Fixtures:

Nott’m Forest, Home, 8th March 2008.