View from Northampton

A well deserved win for Northampton on Tuesday night, what were your overall thoughts of the game?


I didn’t manage to get to the game because of work on Tuesday night but it looked like I got home in time for the best action listening to it on the radio. I didn’t expect anything from the game, predicting us to lose by a comfortable two goals from you on the night, but that is cup football for you!

There is no doubt in my mind that you fully deserved your victory, but what did you make of our two penalty shouts, 1 in the first half and the other just before you scored the third equaliser?


I can’t really comment because I didn’t see the match but from the commentary during extra time which I got to listen to, they did say that you should of had a penalty to but the game to bed in the dying seconds of the game. 30 seconds after that incident we had equalised and sent the game to penalties.


Our manager was full of praise for your player Michael Jacobs post match. Tell us a bit about him.


He was a member of our youth set up and was awarded a squad shirt toward the end of the 08-09 season/beginning of the 09-10 season. Last season he made only a few appearances for us impressing against Bournemouth and MK Dons in the JPT but didn’t really feature in the Cobblers domestic season. This season he was given his chance throughout pre season and his performance shone out better than the other youth players such as Konstantinou. (He has still made a good impression also however) In our first game of the season our manager thought a start against Torquay would be like throwing in him at the deep end too early but with the Cobblers 1-0 down at half time against Torquay with the Cobblers hardly threatening their goal, Sammo took the risk which paid off immensely. Jacob’s hit the bar and went close from two seperate free kicks and gave Torquay’s right back a torrid time during the second half. After that performance he was awarded a start against Brighton in the first round of the Carling Cup and scored the first of two goals on the night. Since then he has been ever present due to Liam Davis’ injury and is practically a first team player already. A player who personally with no doubt will make a big impact this season and the Cobblers should get him on a long term contract prompto!

How close was your line up to your ‘best’ 11?


With a relatively small squad that was close to our best 11. Probably with a 100% fit squad I would have had John Johnson at right back instead of Rodgers.

What did you make of Reading?!


Before the start of the season I would of said that I would expect Reading to challenge for the playoffs this season after you finished the last in good form under your new manager Brian McDermmott. Not the best of starts and a huge blow for you last night which isn’t great coming back off when trying to get your Championship season on track. I’m confident of backing you for a top half finish this season though.


Finally, who are you hoping for in the next round?


Well a Premier League top four club either home or away would be fantastic but I would prefer to have Leicester as I have a mate who supports them, that would be good. Or a local derby against Peterborough or MK Dons would also go nicely. Knowing Cobblers who never seem to get luck in cup draws, we’ll probably ending up getting Notts County away or something!


Thanks to Matt for taking the time to speak to us, you can see all the Northampton reaction to the game, HERE