Burton (h)

[DrillingCobbler]

I too thought Burton were the worst team (on the day) that has pitched up at Sixfield's this season. There keeper was time wasting in the first 10 minutes, their whole side looked really short of confidence and they appeared to be set up to take a point back. I thought it was a really odd approach by them given our recent woes.

Once we got our goal we pretty much owned them. Could have easily scored 5 times in the 2nd half. Leonard's more advanced position really gave us some creativity in the final third. Sowerby and McGowan's inclusions showed how much we have missed 'leaders' in the team in recent times.

Brady didn't pick the best x1 footballers available yesterday but he certainly picked the best team. The performance must give him plenty of food for thought as we get nearer the transfer window.

For me nothing changes with regards to recruitment. We need a striker and an attacking midfielder. Both need to be good enough too start and at least on a par with those currently in the team so we are not weakened when we make subs.

Really positive vibe going into the international break. Yesterdays result and performance was the most significant of the season. Instead of being in the drop zone on the back of 7 games without a win, we are now only 3 points off of 13th with a game in hand!

[Observing]

You observe nothing - your post 126 simply does it’s best to nullify our improved performance after two very poor displays. Fans on opposing forums described us as a very poor side! To make it worse that point flies completely over your head!
amara cucumis

I suggest you read my post again. Although I’m not sure reading is your strong point. In fact I’d argue you don’t have a strong point.

The positives were from Cobblers.

Not sure it can be any clearer.

They were crap. As we were the last two games. The fact they were the worst side I’ve seen this season doesn’t deter from our positives. Both can be true.

Mind you, you probably won’t understand as you’re clearly in awe of Burton and how they have propelled themselves up the league with their free flowing exciting football.

[BackOfTheNet]

It also depends a lot of course of the quality of the opposition.

You're right about expectations. Supporters must realise that after a third of the season has passed we are outside the relegation zone but have got there on the back of just 5 wins out of 16. If we stay as we are (although we all hope to do better) we're only likely to win 9/10 more games out of the remaining 30 matches but that will be enough. It's really about targeting the games we need to win (like Burton) and trying to enjoy the games against the likes of Derby as a free hit. The next few matches are a perfect example. Cambridge we need the 3 points and if we get them, any return from the games against Blackpool and Portsmouth will be a bonus. Then its Fleetwood and Carlisle on the menu, again games we need points from. It's going to be like this for the rest of the season. Sit back, relax and try to enjoy it. It's all about managing expectations.

This is right. It's a statement of the bleedin' obvious, but every 3 points you get from the teams immediately around you are 3 points they don't get either. As they say, you don't have to be able to outrun a lion, you just need to outrun someone else that's running from it!

To Ever's point about what the Derby and Barrow fans thought of us... well, they aren't far wrong, are they? I don't think we are a bad side, but we turned out dismal performances in both of those matches. It's not unreasonable that those games are the only times their fans have seen us play, so on that limited evidence it's not unreasonable that they'd think we were shìt. The same goes for Burton yesterday. They were awful, but I've no idea if they always look that bad or if they were having an off day. Either way, I'm pleased we were able to capitalise on it!

[everbrite]

I suggest you read my post again. Although I’m not sure reading is your strong point. In fact I’d argue you don’t have a strong point.

The positives were from Cobblers.

Not sure it can be any clearer.

They were crap. As we were the last two games. The fact they were the worst side I’ve seen this season doesn’t deter from our positives. Both can be true.

Mind you, you probably won’t understand as you’re clearly in awe of Burton and how they have propelled themselves up the league with their free flowing exciting football.

You are entitled to your opinion as we all are. Basically I don’t trade in personal insults or heavy premeditated sarcasm. Again I feel you are missing the point Burton have previously been playing well. Maybe that is why they have more points! As for reading I said ‘almost grudgingly’. So your reply was based on an incorrect premise?

[Observing]

You are entitled to your opinion as we all are. Basically I don’t trade in personal insults or heavy premeditated sarcasm. Again I feel you are missing the point Burton have previously been playing well. Maybe that is why they have more points! As for reading I said ‘almost grudgingly’. So your reply was based on an incorrect premise?

We’ll agree to disagree. Apologies for getting personal.

Enjoy your Sunday afternoon. I’ve got the fire on.

[everbrite]

This is right. It's a statement of the bleedin' obvious, but every 3 points you get from the teams immediately around you are 3 points they don't get either. As they say, you don't have to be able to outrun a lion, you just need to outrun someone else that's running from it!

To Ever's point about what the Derby and Barrow fans thought of us... well, they aren't far wrong, are they? I don't think we are a bad side, but we turned out dismal performances in both of those matches. It's not unreasonable that those games are the only times their fans have seen us play, so on that limited evidence it's not unreasonable that they'd think we were shìt. The same goes for Burton yesterday. They were awful, but I've no idea if they always look that bad or if they were having an off day. Either way, I'm pleased we were able to capitalise on it!

Absolutely- good and readable post!

[everbrite]

We’ll agree to disagree. Apologies for getting personal.

Enjoy your Sunday afternoon. I’ve got the fire on.

You have been on here before under another pseudonym?

[ClarenceInDefence]

A desrved win against what on the day at least was a very poor Burton side. In the first half we weren't much better and it was a bit of a painful 45 minutes to watch. Much improved after the break, they were there for the taking and the players did what they had to do. Two very good goals, too!

[Manwork04]

Another very winnable game coming up against Cambridge too.

[Gustavo Palcrice]

The transitions were poor. When they are playing the high-press with players pushing for control you need to block the runners. Didn't happen enough but the space was there to take advantage of the loose ball so all-in-all the boys did good. We need the ball-winners to control the park though. Bowie learnt a lot today that will serve him later in his career but he needs to take responsibility at this level.

[Larry]

I was surprised at how many Burton fans left after they went two down. Is their discontent between them and the management?

[TPFKA Marvo]

Footballs a funny game, what works one week against one opposition doesn't work the next. I don't normally watch the Premiership but I did today (cracking game) and was amazed how Chelsea tackled the Man City high pressing game, they just bypassed it time and time again.
For me, it's all about how quickly a team can adapt to any given circumstance and that's what we did Saturday, cut out the tippy-tappy stuff at the back and became more direct. It worked but that's not to say it will when Cambridge roll into town. Maybe playing out from the back works better against them, I'm sure Brady has had them watched and will have a plan to exploit them. Of course Cambridge will have down the same thing so.....

[Deepcut Cobbler]

https://www.northamptonchron.co.uk/sport/football/brady-and-leonard-discuss-midfielders-new-attacking-role-and-whether-itll-be-a-long-term-option-for-cobblers-4407111

[Mysterious Curle]

A great result well in cobblers.

The first game I've missed this season so can't really comment.

Pleased to see a few players that have been out in the cold come in and do well.

Nice to hear Leonard was moved up the pitch. Possibly the creative no.10 most on here have been asking for since about 2019!?

[west stand oap]

Each of the previous 2 international breaks have been followed by our worst displays of the season so it must not happen again when we play Cambridge.

Interesting post by a Burton supporter saying Cole Stockton has fallen out with their manager and wants away. He scored 52 goals in 153 games for Morecambe and at one point they were asking for over £1/2m for him but he ran his contract down and left for free joining Burton in the summer. He has just come back from injury and came on as a sub on Saturday.

Also there is such a lack of interest in their cup replay against Port Vale tomorrow night that they are not opening one of the stands.

[Deepcut Cobbler]

A game of true two halfs, the first a bore fest where neither team looked likely or even attempted to trouble the back of the net.
Not sure if there was any activity from the South West Stand but the quietness of the crowd in the first half enhanced the atmosphere of boredom.
Why didn't Bowie hit it first time, when he was put through on goal, instead of pulling it back onto his left foot?
The second, we came out with a similar attitude until our first effective shot deflecting into the top corner, it's amazing what can happen when you at least attempt a shot?
From then on it was all up 'the other end' with play consistently in their half apart from a couple of breaks.
Magowan played well but following his lapse, he was rescued by a good save from Max Thompson who had a good solid game.
Magowan shouldn't expect a call from The Saints after his attempted rugby tackle trying to recover.
I agree that Magowan was the experienced head amongst the back four but don't underestimate the influence that Sam Sherring had in that department, continually talking his fellow defenders through the game.
The return of Jack Sowerby was the catalyst for us being a more forward looking side, allowing Marc Leonard to play further forward and Mitch Pinnock playing from his/our preferred position out wide. Although during the first half I wasn't sure if he'd forgotten that his team mates were in claret, the amount of times he gave the ball to a player in yellow?
A good well taken goal from Sammy made it 2-0 but it could and probably should have been more but for the very good performance of the Burton keeper.
All in all, a good three points and, with more players coming back, hopefully the start of an upturn in results to slowly edge towards the upper half of the table.
On that second half performance, we aren't amongst the worst four teams in the Division, we just need to make sure that level is maintained and that is reflected in the end of season table.

[MCHammer]

I thought Burton were really poor.  Most of which was down to the way they clearly setup for a draw.  They were literally time wasting ten minutes in.  Surely any manager worth their salt would have setup to hit us hard early on and get the crowd anxious knowing the terrible run we had been on.  We honestly couldn't have asked for a more suitable game to regain some confidence.

Having said that I thought a lot of smart decisions were made by Brady.  A lot of us said we needed to go back to basics and it's what he did.  Tight first half, don't concede, be physical and keep a good shape.  The formation was spot on and he picked players he knows he can trust, all round pegs in round holes some adding the required leadership presence that has been missing recently.

We were excellent second half and very comfortable I thought.  Once we went ahead the result was never in doubt.

Looking at the table we have nothing to fear from any of the teams in the bottom half of the table when we are at our best.  Fingers crossed Brady deserves some luck finally with injuries.  I'd love to see what a fit squad could achieve.