Former Cobblers boss Colin Calderwood returns to the PTS Academy Stadium with Cambridge United on Saturday and current incumbent Keith Curle is expecting a very competitive fixture as his team aim for a third straight win.
“Cambridge are a team that are improving, I’ve got a lot of time for Colin, he is implementing his style of play and he is very familiar with this football club as well,” he said.
“Saturday's game will be between two competitive teams and managers who like to win games.
“The reaction from the changing room this week has been very pleasing and two wins and two clean sheets will have boosted confidence but we won’t be over confident and the players know they will face another set of challenges on Saturday.
“The collective mindset and focus of the group has been very good and if we can maintain and repeat that we will give ourselves every opportunity to win games.
“Our preparation for both games this week has been good, we made a few minor adjustments to our training and the demands have been more in tune with individual performances. The players have minimum targets to go to with and without the ball and I think that has helped.
“We’ve got a very honest changing room, the players are able to take criticism and they are willing to accept challenges."
Curle meanwhile confirmed Alan McCormack is back in training with Joe Martin and Ryan Watson still facing another three or four weeks out.