Northampton Town Season Preview: Moloney an asset

If last season was Northampton Town’s highest finish in nearly two decades, it felt surprisingly subdued. Though on paper, 16th in the third tier is a reasonable position for a club that had  recently feared for it’s Football League status, hopes had been raised by the dominant nature of their a15/16 title-winning campaign. Can they re-discover that momentum this year? The Football Lab speaks to supporter Stewart Bailey.

As many of us said this was the procession after the Lord Mayors Show and once Chris Wilder departed they were big boots to fill, too big as it turned out in the end.

Under Justin Edinburgh, you picked up 20 points from 11 games against bottom half opposition. Are you encouraged that you had the beating of the lesser sides?

I think beating the lesser teams was what stopped us getting relegated. Thankfully, for the home games against lesser teams us fans became the 12th man as we got behind the Team which paid off in the end.

You weren’t led by the most attack-minded managers last season, yet had the league’s third-worst defensive record. Was it a case of inviting pressure, rather than being too open?

Even at two goals up watching the game we never looked comfortable and every time a team got in our half we all feared a goal and the times we lost a game in the dying moments was far to many, possibly the worst statistic in the league.

Goalkeeper Adam Smith was one who did not step up to League One as well as some might have liked. With David Cornell yet to convince, are you surprised a goalkeeper hasn’t signed?

The Rumour mill has been at an all time high concerning a Goalkeeper signing, Mark Bunn & ex Cobbler from Aston Villa & Freddie Woodman of Newcastle United as his Dad Andy is a Cult Figure after his years between our sticks.

Zander Diamond was Player of the Year last season yet was released due to wage demands. What do you make of your new centre-backs – Regan Poole, Leon Barnett and Ash Taylor?

The defence had to be sorted out so time will tell with the new signings. Looking at the amount of games and experience between Taylor and Barnett, the defence won’t look as shaky as last season, hopefully.

You’ve not signed a natural right-back this summer. Are you happy with the performances of Brendan Moloney?

Providing Brendan can stay fit going forward he is an asset, however Edinburgh did manage to get Aaron Phillips up and running again and he scored a goal, under Robert Page. Phillips didn’t seem to so between the two of them there is competition in that position which can only be a good thing.

New George Smith was well thought of two divisions below at Gateshead. Can he take David Buchanan’s left-back spot?

Buchanan is a work horse and went 106 games without missing a game so again more healthy competition for a starting berth can only be a good thing.

New signing Sam Foley is liked by other fans for his work rate. Is Justin Edinburgh the man to get the best out of him?

Foley scored twice in the first pre-season friendly last Saturday and again is experienced. He’ll do alright in League One.

35-year-old midfielder Matthew Taylor and 33-year-old target man Alex Revell started last season in excellent form. Do they need and new signing Dean Bowditch need to be given reduced game time to stay fresh?

Taylor is worth his weight in gold when it comes to set pieces. Revell sadly lost his father last season and it affected him, which is understandable. Bowditch returns to Sixfields, he had a fairly decent scoring ratio at MK Dons so will look to add more goals to the two he scored for us last time he was here.

You lacked pace and width last season. Does the arrival of Billy Waters and Daniel Powell, as well as Sam Hoskins’ return from injury, address those respective problems?

Under Robert Page, Hoskins was having a great season until his injury. Waters looks hungry and could be the buy of the summer for us, excellent singer as well! Powell, another MK Dons addition may have to win over the fans however he scored in the first pre-season friendly last week and looked good going forward.

Where will you finish?

Now we’ve been taken over by a Chinese Company with the promise of large investment I think we could have a decent Season ahead. If John-Joe O’Toole has another good season I can at least see us looking at a Play Off Place. I’ll say 6th and a Wembley Final!

The Football Lab’s Verdict

Northampton’s new centre-backs must gel quickly to improve last year’s defensive efforts, while the likes of Powell and Waters must dilute the reliance on an aging attack. The Cobblers are better than most relegation candidates, but remain a little way off becoming a top half proposition. 18th