Plymouth Argyle v Northampton Town
League Two
Saturday, November 2nd 2013
Cobblers chairman David Cardoza has come out in support of Aidy Boothroyd this week with new midfield addition Kane Ferdinand strengthening the side ahead of a tough trip to Plymouth Argyle on Saturday. Nothing new will automatically come from one new player and some strong support from the powers that be but both need to work to fire up the Cobblers players enough to fire us out of the bottom two, where we’ve been entrenched for weeks.
Plymouth come into the game having just got their own monkey off their back with a late 1-0 win at Mansfield last weekend breaking a run of eight games without a win. Manager John Sheridan is hoping that the victory at Field Mill will be the catalyst for a complete change in fortunes for his players and a turning point for the season.
Town have conceded seven goals in the last two seasons at Home Park but our hosts are struggling for goals this time around with just nine goals scored in League Two. It’s still always a hard away game down there, though, and with the Cobblers under big pressure to come up with the goods it’s set to be a tight contest in Devon.
Team News…
Plymouth’s only injury problem is with striker Marvin Morgan who has had shoulder surgery recently. He will be out for a few months whilst he recovers but other than that John Sheridan has a full squad to choose from.
The Cobblers snapped up another short term loan this week with Kane Ferdinand joining for an initial month from Peterborough United and he adds real competition to midfield. But Kevin Amankwaah was ruled out for a month after picking up a hamstring injury and Roy O’ Donovan will also be out until December after a hernia operation so he joins Matt Heath, Clive Platt, Kelvin Langmead, Alex Nicholls and Lewis Hornby on the sidelines.
Platt…scorer of the only goal last time out
Previous Six Meetings…
23/02/13: Cobblers 1-0 Plymouth (League Two)
This was one of a number of narrow home wins that shot us towards the playoffs last season with Clive Platt’s goal the difference at Sixfields.
01/09/12: Plymouth 3-2 Cobblers (League Two)
Alex Nicholls gave the Cobblers a 26th minute lead at Home Park last season but Warren Feeney levelled just after half-time. Rhys Griffiths scored just before the hour to turn the game in Argyle’s favour and Curtis Nelson made it three. David Artell’s stoppage time strike was merely a consolation and there was no time to grab a point.
24/03/12: Cobblers 0-0 Plymouth (League Two)
Tight draw at Sixfields as neither side can make the breakthrough with both clubs making progress towards League Two survival.
26/11/11: Plymouth 4-1 Cobblers (League Two)
As the Cobblers came under the caretaker management of Tim Flowers for one game, Plymouth smelt blood and were 4-0 up at half-time thanks to goals from Simon Walton (penalty), Nick Chadwick, Will Atkinson and Ashley Hemmings. Bayo Akinfenwa got a late consolation but it was a desperate day for the Cobblers in Devon.
08/11/03: Cobblers 3-2 Plymouth (FA Cup First Round)
The Cobblers, in League Two, saw off the League One Pilgrims in an enthralling cup tie at Sixfields. David Friio put the visitors in front before Richard Walker sent the sides in level at half time. Chris Hargreaves scored against his old side on the hour but Ian Stonebridge equalised. The stage was set for a dramatic finale and Derek Asamoah provided it with a fine winner to send us through to Round Two.
26/04/03: Cobblers 2-2 Plymouth (League One)
David Norris had the Pilgrims in front at the break with Ian Stonebridge making it two ten minutes after the restart. But goals from Darryn Stamp and Steve Morison earned the Cobblers a well-deserved point despite already being relegated from the division.
The man in the middle…
It’s shuddering time again…in charge at Home Park will be everyone’s favourite pantomime villain Trevor ‘the whistling’ Kettle with the referee officiating the Cobblers for the first time since the 1-0 defeat at Bradford back in April. Kettle has shown thirty one yellow cards and one red so far this season in nine games.
Prediction…
On paper it seems like this is dead set for a low scoring draw but with an extra attacking option added through the signing of Kane Ferdinand and with Luke Norris on form since joining on loan we have more than we did a couple of weeks ago in that department. Argyle will be boosted by their last gasp win a week ago but I have a funny feeling that we could actually nick this. 1-0
From the Opposition…
For the thoughts of Plymouth fan Dave Weeks in this week’s Fan Feature, click here.
A Load Of Cobblers 