All you need to know ahead of today's visit from Milton Keynes Dons...
The Cobblers face a visit from MK Dons this Saturday as the Cobblers look to extend their unbeaten run in Sky Bet League Two for their final game of 2018.
The Dons enjoyed a dream start to life in the Championship, winning their first match in the second tier 4-1 away at Rotherham United. However, after a disappointing second-half of the season, the men from MK1 weren’t able to retain their status and in late April their fate was confirmed. Robinson and his side endured a difficult start to their first season back in Sky Bet League One and with the team lying perilously close to the relegation places in late October 2016, the decision was made to part ways with the Liverpudlian after a six-and-a-half year spell.
Head of Coaching Barker took temporary charge of the side for a short while before former Heart of Midlothian boss Robbie Neilson was appointed as the Club’s seventh manager in early December.
In his first two home matches in charge, the Scotsman led the Dons to victories against fiercest rivals AFC Wimbledon and former boss Robinson’s Charlton Athletic and over the course of the next four months guided them back into the top half of the Sky Bet League table. Neilson's MK Dons endured a slow start to the 2016/17 campaign and with the team lying perilously above the Sky Bet League One relegation places in January, chairman Pete Winkelman parted company with the Scot and replaced him with Dan Micciche - the Club's former Head of Academy Coaching and an ex-England Under-16s coach. Micciche provided a spark towards the end of the season but couldn't do enough to prevent an eventual relegation to Sky Bet League Two. Micciche left the Club in April, with Keith Millen taking charge for the final three games. Chairman Pete Winkelman conducted a thorough search during the summer of 2018 and it resulted in the appointment of Paul Tisdale, an experienced manager who had spent the past 12 years with Exeter City. Tisdale's arrival, along with some notable signings, has MK Dons fans feeling optimistic for what the 2018/19 season may bring.
Northampton Town
The Cobblers recorded their third successive 1-1 draw with Swindon Town on Boxing Day. Andy Williams had given the Cobblers an early lead, before Keshi Anderson levelled for Swindon on the 63rd minute forced the sides to share the points.
MK DONS
MK Dons have suffered back-to-back league defeats for the first time this season as they were beaten 3-1 by Cheltenham Town at the Jonny-Rocks Stadium. Neil Atangana put the Robins ahead inside the opening quarter of an hour but Chuks Aneke cancelled it out with his 11th goal of the season.
Northampton
Northampton Town2-2Grimsby Town
Newport County3-1Northampton Town
Crawley Town0-1Northampton Town
Northampton Town1-1Stevenage
Yeovil Town1-1Northampton Town
Northampton Town1-1Swindon Town
MK Dons
Stevenage3-2MK Dons
MK Dons2-0Morecambe
MK Dons2-0Carlisle United
Newport County v MK Dons
MK Dons0-1Colchester United
Cheltenham Town3-1MK Dons
Referees: Graham Scott
Assistant Referees: Sian Massey-Ellis and Daniel Robathan.
Fourth Official: Nicholas Kinseley.
The Oxfordshire official has refereed 11 games so far this season, issuing 26 yellow cards and two red cards.
The Last time we had Mr Scott was in 2015 when we beat Luton 2-1 at home.
Northampton wins: 3 Northampton wins at Sixfields: 3 Last Northampton win: 2-1, 20 January 2018 (Sixfields) Biggest Northampton win: 3-2, 4 Sep 2016 (Sixfields)
Draws: 2 Draws at Sixfields: 1 Last draw: 0-0, 26 Sep 2017 (Stadium MK)
Dons wins: 8 Dons wins at Sixfields: 2 Last Dons win: 1-0, 20 Oct 2018 (Stadium MK) Biggest Dons win: 3-0, 19 Jan 2016 (Stadium MK)
The Last time we met MK Dons was on the 20th October 2018 at Stadium MK. The Cobblers lost 1-0. Have a look at the teams, Match report and Highlights here.
Here is a look at all the players who have played for Northampton and MK Dons. Can you name them all?
Nathan Abbey,George Baldock, Dean Bowditch, Lawson D'Ath, Ben Harding, Lee Harper, Jonny Hayes, Richard Johnson, Mathias Kouo-Doumbe, Chris Long, Carl Magnay, Nick McKoy, Izale McLeod, Lee Nicholls, Clive Platt, Daniel Powel, Alex Revell, Allan Smart, Danny Swailes, Adam Watts and Ryan Watson
Cobblers boss Keith Curle says the mentality in his squad is good as he previews Saturday’s clash with MK Dons at the PTS Academy Stadium (3pm kick off).
“It’s a massive game but there is no fear in the changing room, The mentality of the group has improved since I walked through the door and we will fight for everything. There is a need for improvement, we need better decision making and we need to make sure we keep doing the simple things right. We have to get that decision making right, throughout the squad, not just the starting eleven. Players will make mistakes, I made a good few myself but I learnt very quickly not to make those mistakes again. There will be changes to the team and I’m not scared to do that. I don’t make them for the sake of it and there is always a reason.”
Paul Tisdale: “What happens next for us is that we're in training [on Thursday] and we'll prepare for Saturday's game. [Wednesday's defeat] sets us a challenge. We've just lost two games on the spin and now have two games coming up in the next week which we need to respond in."
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