The Game
Argyle v Northampton Town. Saturday, 29 November. 3pm. Sky Bet League One.
The Opposition
Following their 19th-place finish last season, Northampton began this campaign with just one point from their first four games. A win over Exeter City on 23 August gave them their first victory, with the next two following in consecutive games, against Leyton Orient and Blackpool.
A loss at Wycombe Wanderers was followed by a win over Bolton Wanderers, then a 0-0 draw at Port Vale. At this stage, Northampton had kept five clean sheets in six games. They have not kept one since.
A loss at Rotherham United was followed by a win at Doncaster Rovers, but Northampton lost the next two, both by 1-0. The Cobblers managed a win over Mansfield two games ago, but lost last time out to Cardiff City.
The Gaffer
Kevin Nolan had a superb playing career, coming through the ranks at Bolton Wanderers, and playing 345 times for them, including being their long-term captain in the Premier League. He spent three seasons with Newcastle United, then three with West Ham United, leaving to become player-manager at Leyton Orient.
On retiring from playing, he later became Notts County manager, lasting around 18 months at Meadow Lane. He then had coaching jobs with West Ham United and England Under-20s. In December 2024, more than six years after his previous club management job, Nolan took over at Northampton.
The Squad
Sam Hoskins is not only Northampton’s leading goalscorer this season, he is third on the Cobblers’ all-time appearances list, with 434 games for the club, and 101 goals. From first club Southampton, Hoskins had several loans out before spending time at Yeovil Town, moving on to Northampton in 2015, where he has remained since. He has four goals from 14 games this season, and has played up front, in midfield and at wing-back.
The only player to have started all 16 league games for Northampton Town is Tyrese Fornah. The 26-year-old began at Nottingham Forest, having several loans out, including to Argyle in the 2020/21 season, in which he played 44 games. He subsequently moved to Derby County, and had a loan at Salford City last season, before heading to Northampton in the summer. He has eight caps for Sierra Leone.
It is likely that Northampton’s midfield will be anchored by Dean Campbell. He has started 14 games for Town, and has completed 90 minutes in all of them. Campbell became Aberdeen’s youngest-ever player in the first of his 75 games for his local club, but left Scotland to firstly take in a loan at Stevenage, and then to move permanently to Barrow. Impressing in two seasons at Holker Street, Campbell arrived at Northampton this summer.
Previous Meetings
These sides have not met since the 2020/21 season. Both games ended in home wins: Argyle won 2-1 at Home Park, with Frank Nouble and Kelland Watts on target for the Greens. Later in the season, Northampton won 2-0 at Sixfields.
Argyle TV
Argyle TV’s coverage will begin with Argyle Breakfast, starting at 10am, brought to you by Erin Black and Aaron Cusack. Erin will return for the Pre-Match Show, from 2.30pm, alongside Brian McGlinchey, before commentary of the game comes from Charlie Price and Katie Middleton.
Match passes to watch this game are available overseas. CLICK HERE for more information.
