Cobblers boss Keith Curle says his side will face a tough test in Saturday’s Community Day home game against a ‘vastly improved’ Crawley Town.
“Crawley have adapted very well from last season to this season, I think they have more pace about them, more dynamics and they are more of a goal threat,” he said.
“They are a team that has got good energy, they like to play on the front foot and they can cause you problems when they get that flow into their play in the final third. They have a vastly improved squad and a manager who has a real understanding of this division.
“I think Tuesday’s game showed the different characteristics that you need to be able to operate at the top end of the division and with the frequency of games it’s important that you have the personnel who are able to adapt.
“We’ve got a changing room at the minute that is enjoying accepting challenges and that’s something we have tried to create. The players are accepting the challenges put before them with enthusiasm, they are not daunted and they are prepared to put themselves out there.
“You get confidence from results but we have got players in the changing room with good characteristics and if we need to dig in we can do that. We want to play open expansive football and we know that when we play on the front foot we have a goal threat.”