JIMMY FLOYD HASSELBAINK LOOKING FORWARD TO ROVERS TEST
The Cobblers boss is anticipating another special Sixfields atmosphere on Saturday
21 December 2017
Cobblers boss Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink previews Saturday’s home game against in-form Blackburn Rovers.
“Blackburn are promotion candidates and we know that they are a good team but every match in this league is a test,” he said.
“They are going well at the moment and even if they don’t play well they are capable of grinding out results.
“We have to do both sides of the game really well on Saturday, both with the ball and our organisation. We have to work harder than them.
“We are at home and we need to make it very difficult for teams coming here. It shouldn’t matter who is in front of you there needs to be that same level of commitment.
“It was a really good performance last Saturday in both halves and I’ve probably not given the players enough credit for the second half. We didn’t create a lot in the second half but neither did they and we were very professional in seeing the game out.
“The energy and commitment was good, at times the final pass could be better but we were on the front foot a lot more.
“It helped that the crowd were with us, of course we need to get the supporters going ourselves but it is so much better when the crowd give us that energy. Yes you need to earn it but when we have that it stimulates the players even more.”
Northampton Town 0 Wigan Athletic 1 - the match report
1 January 2018
SKY BET LEAGUE 1 Monday January 1st, 3.00pm Sixfields
NORTHAMPTON TOWN 0
WIGAN ATHLETIC 1 Nick Powell 5
Attendance: 5,328 (511 away fans)
Cobblers: Matt Ingram, Brendan Moloney, George Smith, Ash Taylor, Regan Poole, Sam Foley, Matt Crooks (sub John-Joe O'Toole 61), Matt Grimes, Shaun McWilliams (sub Sam Hoskins 73), Daniel Powell (sub Marc Richards 84), Chris Long Subs not used: David Cornell, David Buchanan, Billy Waters, Lewis McGugan
Wigan: Christian Walton, Nathan Byrne, Sam Morsy, Lee Evans, Will Grigg (sub David Perkins 85), Gavin Massey (sub Max Power 71), Michael Jacobs, Chey Dunkley, Nick Powell (sub Ivan Toney 71), Reece James, Dan Burn Subs not used: Alex Bruce, Gary Roberts, Noel Hunt, Matija Sarkic
Referee: Scott Oldham
Booked: Cobblers: Matt Crooks (24, 4th of the season), Matt Grimes (76, 7th) Wigan: Michael Jacobs (69)
10 cautions on or before 37 games; 2 match suspension 15 cautions at any time in season; 3 match suspension
Sent off: Cobblers: none Wigan: none
Sendings off: 2 cautions in one game; 1 match suspension but cautions do not count towards above totals. Other sendings off; 1 or 3 match suspension. Extra match ban for additional sendings off.
The Cobblers kicked off 2018 with a home game against league leaders Wigan Athletic. Boss Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink made four changes to the side with Daniel Powell, Sam Foley, Shaun McWilliams and George Smith replacing Lewis McGugan, Sam Hoskins, John-Joe O’Toole and David Buchanan. Michael Jacobs started for Wigan with another ex-Cobbler, Ivan Toney, on the bench for the Latics.
Christian Walton saved an early effort from McWilliams after some good footwork from the Cobblers youngster but it was the visitors who took the lead on 5 minutes, Nick Powell on the end of a right-wing cross to head home from close range.
Will Grigg looked set to double Wigan’s lead only to be denied by a last-ditch challenge from Brendan Moloney. From the subsequent corner Chey Dunkley struck the crossbar with Matt Ingram saving Nick Powell’s header from the rebound. Daniel Powell then went close to an equaliser, his deflected shot whistling just wide of Walton’s upright.
Chris Long shot just wide before McWilliams tested Walton with a lobbed effort from distance at the start of the second half while at the other end Grigg Headed wide.
John-Joe O’Toole came on for Matt Crooks in the Cobblers first change of the afternoon before Moloney fired over from a tight angle after a neat counter-attacking move from the home side.
A deflected free-kick from Ivan Toney was saved by Matt Ingram to keep the Cobblers in it and although they continued to battle hard in the closing stages they couldn’t find an equaliser.
COBBLERS MATCH STATS (first half in brackets, match total out of brackets) SHOTS ON TARGET: (1) 3 SHOTS OFF TARGET: (0) 4 CORNERS: (2) 3 FOULS: (8) 16 CAUGHT OFFSIDE: (1) 2
WIGAN MATCH STATS (first half in brackets, match total out of brackets) SHOTS ON TARGET: (3) 4 SHOTS OFF TARGET: (0) 3 CORNERS: (4) 5 FOULS: (7) 18 CAUGHT OFFSIDE: (0) 2
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Northampton Town welcome Blackburn Rovers to Sixfields in Sky Bet League 1 on Saturday (2pm).
Tickets for the game will be on sale on arrival. Please visit the main ticket office if you are looking to purchase tickets.
If collecting pre-ordered match tickets, please visit the ticket point opposite the main entrance, if collecting season tickets please visit the main ticket office.
Please note that tickets for forthcoming games and season tickets are still on sale, but for the hour before kick off the ticket office will be selling Blackburn match tickets only.
Remember, you can beat the queues by buying match tickets via ntfcdirect.co.uk and printing your tickets at home!
As part of increased security measures, a 100% search policy will be in operation. Because of this, supporters are advised to arrive as early as possible. Turnstiles will be open from 1pm.
Three points isn't the only priority on Saturday, making sure everyone goes home safe is the most important result.
Northampton Town have been working closely with the police and the EFL to review security at Sixfields. Now we are asking you to do your bit.
Following the dreadful Manchester Arena bombing in May, stadium managers from clubs have been briefed by counter terrorism police.
It is vital that everyone - players, staff and supporters - remain vigilant and report any concerns to stewards or police.
Attacks might be rare, and the chance of you being caught up in one unlikely, but the message is #ActionCountersTerrorism.
Here's a quick reminder of what you can do to help keep yourself and others safe: • Arrive early, allowing more time for security checks • Minimise what you carry, fewer bag searches will speed up entry to the ground • Be vigilant at all times and if you see anything suspicious, tell a steward right away • If you see anything that could pose an immediate threat to safety, call 999 • In an emergency, listen to the Public Address instructions and follow them • If told to evacuate, do so immediately, do not wait around to film events on your mobile • Move right away from the stadium as quickly as possible for your safety and to allow clear access for any emergency vehicles • Once you are safe, follow Northamptonshire Police on Twitter for updates
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