Northampton Town will arrive at The Valley on Friday in 19th place. Although they have a five point lead over 21st place Bristol Rovers, they will be fully motivated to maintain or extend that gap.
They began the season under the management of Jon Brady who had overseen their promotion to League One in 2023 but he resigned at the start of December when his team dropped into the relegation places. They were under the interim management of Ian Sampson when we went up there just before Christmas and beat them 5-0. Former Bolton player Kevin Nolan took over but, when they lost his first game 1-4 at Reading, it looked very much as if they would struggle to stay up.
However, results have improved and it has largely been their away form which has helped them keep their heads above water. Since that Reading thrashing they have only lost once in nine games away from home (at Bolton). The run includes wins at Burton, Mansfield, Leyton Orient and, last time out, a much-celebrated 4-0 demolition of local rivals Peterborough. Also they managed a 0-0 draw at Wycombe at the end of January. If they could have matched that form at The Sixfields Stadium, they would be at least a top half club but home defeats since the turn of the year by Lincoln, Wrexham, Barnsley, Rotherham and Blackpool have taken their toll.
Terry Taylor has been ever present since his arrival on loan from us in late January. He has made a good impression on Northampton fans but, because of his loan conditions, he won't be available for selection on Friday. Another January loan signing - Tyler Roberts from Birmingham - has managed only one goal so far. The main threats are Northern Ireland international Cameron McGeehan who has scored nine goals in his first season at the club since arriving from Colchester last summer and the phenomenal Sam Hoskins who has played 417 games and scored 97 goals in his ten seasons at Northampton. Charlton old boy Tariqe Fosu has three goals but has been used from the bench in recent games. Home fans might also be interested in seeing Max (Son of Sean) Dyche in the centre of defence.
A home win on Friday would guarantee Charlton a play-off place and, if Reading fail to beat Lincoln, would ensure at least fifth place for us. If Peterborough can reproduce their Wembley form and beat Stockport on Friday, we would move up to fourth, although, given the away games at Wycombe and Wrexham which follow, fourth place will be hard to maintain. Having said that, Stockport have to visit Wycombe for their final game.
Fans are advised to arrive early as a "bumper" crowd is expected. Who would have thought it four months ago when we crept home crestfallen after the 1-2 loss to Crawley?