Second to None

The Cobblers make the trip down to Devon on Tuesday night with the wind firmly in their sails. Fresh off of an impressive draw with Championship opposition in the FA Cup, and the arrival of a new striker in the January transfer window, Derek is fully aware of the threat Northampton could pose to his side.

 

“I think that they played very well on Saturday to get a draw at home to MK Dons,” said Adams, “and get another shot at playing in the next round.”

 

“They’ve taken in [James] Collins from Shrewsbury, so they’ve added to their strike force. I think that throughout their team, they’ve got good spirit and continuity like we have.

 

“They’ve done really well this season. They’ve been able to pick up a lot of wins. We played well earlier on in the season there, winning 2-0, so we know that it’s going to be a difficult match because they’ve been in good form.”

 

That victory at Sixfields is one of many stand-out performances that have guided the Greens to the top of the league. Many of those victories have come in high-stakes occasions like the one expected at the Theatre of Greens on Tuesday, when the first and second placed teams in the division square off. With plenty of national focus on the game and a bumper midweek crowd expected to be in attendance, Adams is backing his team to once again deliver when it matters most.

 

“We’ve been on a fabulous run this season,” said Derek, “and we’re looking forward to another big game coming to Home Park.

 

“I think it’s a good game to have. We’ve already had very big games this season and we’ve been able to perform well. We take every game in isolation, and it’s important to win every game we play in. But there’s 21 games left in the season, and every one of them are big games, so there is that excitement for the fans and the players.

 

“I think it’s going to be a good one. There’ll be a terrific atmosphere here.”