Carl Talks Cobblers

ARGYLE manager Carl Fletcher does not expect Northampton’s Capital One Cup date with Wolves to have any bearing on Saturday’s Home Park clash with the Cobblers.

Aidy Boothroyd’s side, who have made an unbeaten start to the new npower League 2 campaign, played Wolves in a televised home tie on Thursday night.

Despite them playing the Pilgrims less than 48 hours later, having made the long journey to the South West in the meantime, Fletch is preparing for a uncompromising examination.

“They are on telly so, cash-wise, it’s productive from the club point of view,” he said. “It gives them only a couple of days to recover but I am sure they will be well prepared.

“We’re looking forward to the game. It will be a tough match.

“We played them not that long ago, towards the end of the season last year, and Aidy Boothroyd’s sides are competitive and well-organised. They will be a tough challenge for us.

“For long periods of the game, it might be scrappy and there will be battles, and it is important that we try to win that first.”

The Pilgrims narrowly failed to make the third round of the Capital One Cup for only the second time in 21 seasons when they were touched off by Championship side Burnley in a penalty shoot-out at Turf Moor following a 1-1 draw after extra-time.

“We were disappointed not to go through but really pleased with the performance and the way the lads conducted themselves,” said Fletch.  “There were lots of positives.

“Apart from Dagenham, performances have been pretty good this season, although maybe we haven’t got the results we could have got.

“We will keep building. It is a long season. We will keep looking at what we need to do to win each game and to get the best performance that we can.”

One of the positives at Burnley was the continued rehabilitation of right-back Durrell Berry, who made his first start of the season after injury and was still on the pitch 120 minutes later.

“He’s fine,” said Fletch. "A bit tired, like everyone else. He missed a large chunk of pre-season and he kind of got that all in one night.

“I’m pleased for him. He’s one of these naturally fit guys, anyway, so he’ll be the better for it, more mentally, that he can withstand the intense work-out.

“It’s pleasing for us that he’s come through unscathed.”