I had more of an issue with Smith’s first yellow: he had his back to the goal and was walking away when their keeper gave him an almighty shove in the back, for which he was deservedly booked.

Agreed - because of the position and look of the tackle not too many complaints on the second - but some of the earlier bookings very questionable, however we all know Charlie boy's reputation and I don't think we were particularly savvy to that. Having said that how can this guy continually referee with red and yellow stats well above the average - he is the type of referee that frankly spoils games for both sides and the EFL should hold him to account.

Great 3 points - I thought we were awful in the first half and regressed to early season style - Adams barely got a pass to provide some much needed width. Second half until the red card much improved with passing and wing play pushing Stevenage very much on the back foot followed by a great defensive performance following the red.

https://www.northamptonchron.co.uk/sport/football/mcwilliams-expected-to-be-fit-for-stevenage-trip-after-suffering-no-reaction-following-chest-pains-1-9072817

It says in the chron that he should be fit for tomorrow and has had no reaction since. Also says that he will be checked over by the doctor after training this afternoon.

Thanks for that - I’m a long way from the C&E’s feeds

I agree on the Goode comment mentioned earlier, he really has exceeded my expectations so far this season. The back 4 as it was yesterday with Turnbull in front of them looks very solid. If we could bring McCormack in next to Turnbull that would be such a solid base moving forward.

Hopefully McWilliams is ok as he was excellent when he was on the pitch, really looks to be taking another step in terms of his ability on the ball.

Not trying to find a negative for the sake of it, but I cant recall seeing a target man striker as menacing in appearance as Smith who plays with such little aggression. Hes shouting at his team mates a lot and hes an absolute unit but he dosnt go up for headers with any conviction, dosnt back into the CB's to bully them etc, hopefully he can develop as we need cover for Williams.

Agreed and also a mention for Hoskins who got so much more right with an end product this game - I don’t think the comments on Smith are overly negative, rather reasonable observation - for me he is neither in the right place at the right time and his first touch is frankly poor - hopefully he will improve but Williams and Olivier are currently far ahead of him in respect to contribution and goal scoring potential.

I’m a bit concerned on no news here (unless I’ve missed it) but the symptoms of him going off were a bit of a worry given a few cases over the last few years - as a youngster he would have had cardiac screening so hopefully nothing too serious but good to have an update - he is not the finished article yet but I rate him highly and can easily see him playing at a higher level.

Nothing to add here as last posters have summed it up nicely - but just to add a couple of comments

1) I have never understood why people have to refer to others as twats etc for having an opinion - I shouldn’t react but I’m afraid sometimes do. In this polarised society don’t people realise starting a reply with “Good/interesting point - however...... “  is actually going to make people take an interest in an alternative view.
2) Mind blowing repetition of the same thing.
3) Being shot down for valid intelligent observation of something that isn’t good.

Nothing I have heard or seen from the man emits any character traits that would be required to achieve success. He has now collected together his own 'men' and well, frankly I am whelmed.

Sadly I agree - he is in my opinion an honest jobbing Div 4 manager who will not get you relegated but unlikely to delight, excite or reach any promotional height................

I hope some people take note that Newport are owned by their Supporters Trust, proving it can work. The only team above them in League 2, Exeter City, are also Trust owned ! They both get smaller gates than us, food for thought ? 

It's a good point - however I suggest the malcontents would soon be asking for more than just a well run club flirting with promotion and occasionally achieving L1 status.

Personally I think a Trust/Fan owned club can work in the lower divisions but looking at the ridiculous wages in Championship and above is not going to work at that level.

So much depends on how we perform at home .
We are set up to be resolute away and steal a result .
We cannot play that way at home and not all teams will give us the space Plymouth did .
Hopefully we can be a bit more imaginative in our play and bring the crowds back .

Whilst I agree with your observations I also think the really successful teams may change tactics for who they are playing but not because it’s simply home or away - why should they? - ok the pitch may play a little differently but they are meant to be professionals - as for home vocal support, well that’s complete rubbish as we get much better vocal support at away games than the sixfields library. For me a manager who consistency plays a different (ultra defensive) game away from home is one who will at best achieve mediocrity and has an aging 30 year old grasp of tactics.

Bob represented a group of individuals at the time who as directors or associates genuinely loved the club - collectively they perhaps had a little more money than the average supporter but never at the level of the multimillionaire chancers that now sadly dominate in boardrooms up and down the country - however unlike those they will always be remembered as true and honest supporters of a club. Thank you Bob a life well lived and your support genuinely appreciated.

You know absolutely nothing about what wages were being paid to players...their manager at the time, Lowe (now at Plymouth along with half the former Bury squad) has categorically stated that none of his promotion squad were on top/high wages.

They may catagorically state that but knowing human nature they are unlikely to say they took high wages from the club that has gone belly up due to financial reasons - you first point is correct it’s unlikely anyone on here knows what wages were being paid - high, low or par for L2

You’re right about Smith, he was poor again

Huge disappointment so far - still it’s a long season

Posters ? That’s a not too subtle change.

FFS Evers - there are, of course the occasional spat/disagreement on here (and I am not going to plead not guilty) but your involvement in them must be a multiple of all the others put together - it’s not funny or entertaining so please stop making an argument pivotal to such a high percentage of your post!

An enjoyable game. Agree about Bunney, much more effective further forward, still a liability at left back, he was AWOK for their goal. Hoskins scored a good goal but prior to that had produced little. Thought Waters did really well, some nice turns, strong on the ball and put in a good shift. Smith totally ineffective again, that worries me! Agree about their flank players that’s what you call pace and we have none of that in the team

Agreed, Waters MOM for me,

It seems they have....

Indeed it does!

Ok so strange opposition therefore difficult to make too many conclusions but overall I felt our passing and attacking ideas were a definite improvement.

Right, haven't commented for a while but my thoughts on Saturday, which probably echo everyone else...........................

Good assessment but disagree on (a not totally fit) Oliver who for me wins more balls and overall looks more dangerous than Smith.

Exactly. As much as I don't want to see it happen, the EFL can't just keep saying "oh, go on then, have a little bit longer" without becoming a paper tiger. Sadly, they have to stand their ground now to protect the integrity of the competition.

.....but it seems they haven’t

I'm pretty sure I read on the BBC that if Bury or Bolton go under there will be less relegations from League 2.

There is actual a statement from the FL (couldn't find the link) but you are correct - if one club is expelled only one relegation place and if two go no relegation from L2.

Au contraire: a perfectly logical opinion/argument for me.

.....and for me - I don't want that sort of safety net.

Mixed feelings on the Bury & Bolton stories - always 2 sides to a story and going back to our situation with Kidderminster where they clearly spent their money on building a team to finish top but ignored the football leagues stadium standard requirements -was it right they were denied entry and we stayed up?

He will probably keep us up

At the risk of being accused of having unreasonable expectations, I have to say even with all our well documented short comings as a club I expect a little more than that!