Cobblers boss Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink is demanding a reaction from his players to Tuesday's defeat to Gillingham as he previews Saturday's trip to Scunthorpe United.
"We need another reaction," he said.
"We have taken some very good steps forward in recent weeks but it's always been a process where we will have our ups and our downs.
"Scunthorpe are a good footballing side and they will put us under pressure.
"We are better when we play with energy and we need to play with that intensity on Saturday. We need to try and start on the front foot and hopefully we can put them under pressure and take the game to them.
"The second half on Tuesday night was more encouraging and we need to take that into Saturday."