OPPOSITION INSIGHT: Northampton Town

Prior to Swindon's hosting of Northampton Town tonight (Tuesday) Total Sport quizzed James Heneghan, the matchday reporter for the Northampton Chronicle, to get clued up on the Cobblers.

The change Northampton Town has gone through in a matter of months is remarkable. How have the club gone from liquidation-threatened to the top six in League One in such a short space of time?

"It is a good question and one that requires a whole book to answer.

"In short, the off-field turmoil brought everyone closer together; the fans rallied behind the players and the players and then manager Chris Wilder used the very threat of extinction as a driving force, adopting a siefe mentality.

"One thing led to another from there, and with chairman Kevin Thomas saving the club at the 11th-hour and stabilising things off the pitch. The players on it continued to go from strength to strength to win the League Two title and the feel-good vibe has carried into this season."

You mentioned there that Northampton won the League Two title last season, and they did so by quite a big margin. When did that possibility start to become a reality after a turbulent start to the season?

"During the off-field crisis, around 12 months ago, it became apparent that Chris WIlder had assembled a very strong squad and promotion became a real possibility. They used the financial problems as a catalyst and went on a sensational charge, winning 10 games in a row from December and March which put them clear of the chasing pack.

"If I had to pinpoint one moment, it was probably the 4-3 win at Luton last December - which put them top for the first time - when everyone sat up and sensed something special was happening."

Northampton have lost just one of their four away matches this season, albeit the other three were draws, what has that been down to?

"A resilient, well-organised defence led by Zander Diamond and summer signing Gabriel Zakuani. With Diamond a calm, composed defender and Zakuani adopting a more aggressive, no-nonsense style, the two have immediately struck up a partnership at centre back.

"Full-backs Brendan Moloney and David Buchanan are also key and manager Rob Page has his team well-drilled and hard to break down."

How have the Cobblers dealed with the departure of manager Chris Wilder and, by the same token, how has Rob Page settled into life at Sixfields?"

"Initially there was some concern, particularly in pre-season when they lost three friendlies all to non-league clubs, and that was followed by five successive draws to start life in League One. 

"However, Page has made several astute signings, such as Matty Taylor (free transfer from Burnley) and Alex Revell (also a free transfer, following his release from MK Dons), and it is now becoming clear that he is carrying on the good work and harnessing the momentum from last season.

So all in all, the transition has been a smooth one and Page is settling in well."

Is back-to-back promotions a realistic aim for Northampton this season? Or is it purely a case of wanting to secure third tier football for the time being?

"I think it is a bit of a stretch this season - but then again no-one would have predicted them to win League Two by 13 points last year!

"Defensively, Northampton have been very solid but they seem a bit short on firepower and quality up front, ao anything around midtable, between say eighth and 15th, would constitutute a succesful season, then they can kick on next year"

And finally, apart from Alex Revell who has an annoyingly impressive habit of scoring against Swindon, who should the home side be scared of going into tonight's game?

"Matty Taylor has already scored two brilliant free-kicks this season so any fouls conceded around the box could be very costly.

Last season's Player of the Season John-Joe O'Toole, a box-to-box midfielder, has just started finding his form yet again this term, while Sam Hoskins' pace and movement often causes teams problems."