Northampton Town Season Preview 2021/22: Back in familiar territory

The Cobblers were always going to find last season tough after securing promotion via the play-offs, and so it proved. Relegated in 22nd place was not a huge surprise and Jon Brady has a big challenge if he is to get them to bounce straight back.

Northampton have become something of a yoyo club in recent years. Flitting between League One and League Two on a seemingly regular basis.

Last season was so disappointing, especially after the heroic effort the club showed to win promotion through the play-offs. Losing key men including the likes of Vadaine Oliver and Charlie Goode made Keith Curle’s life difficult and he never really found a way to replace them.

Scoring goals was the major issue. The Cobblers it the net just 41 times in 46 matches, the second-worse record in the division and unless they find a way to solve that problem they won’t be challenging at the right end of the table.

They do have players capable and proven in the fourth tier. Sam Hoskins was their top scorer last time the club played in League Two and Danny Rose was a regular scorer for Mansfield during his four seasons at Field Mill so they’ll be hoping to find the net more often this season.

Northampton feel like they should be a big club in League Two and they will almost certainly be competitive, whether or not they have enough in the squad to challenge near the top, only time will tell.

The Squad

Brady has had a big clear out this summer and restocked in an equally broad fashion. The Cobblers still feel a little light in attack but Nicke Kambamba has been brought in from Kilmarnock to try and bag some goals. The striker hit five in 33 games in the Scottish Premiership last season and will hope to better that total here.

Aaron McGowan is a right-back who could give Michael Harriman a bit of competition in that position while Jon Guthrie and Sid Nelson are solid centre-backs for League Two.

Paul Lewis joins from Tranmere and Mitch Pinnock feels like he could be a really good signing this season for the Cobblers, arriving from Scottish side Kilmarnock. Dylan Connolly has also signed from north of the border, the Irishman played 28 times for St Mirren last season having been on loan at Bradford in 2019/20. Jon Brady’s men also bagged left-back Ali Koiki from Bristol Rovers. The former Burnley youth product is still only 21 and may improve at Sixfields after a tough season with the Gas.

The goalkeeper position will be contested by Johnny Maxted and Liam Roberts. Roberts was signed from Walsall for an undisclosed fee, the 26-year old is an excellent shot-stopper but, like the Iron Chicken, he always has a clanger in his nest.

Of the players already at the club, Joseph Mills was excellent in League Two when at Forest Green, Jack Sowerby is a midfielder who should do well and Scott Pollock has looked really good in pre-season.

Newcomer to watch: Jordan Flores

Jordan Flores really shouldn’t be in League Two. The midfielder has great ability on the ball and could be a class act for the Cobblers. The former Wigan man joined Hull last season with the Tigers heading for the title. He only managed three appearances for them and with promotion confirmed, game time in the Championship would be in short supply.

A loan move to Six Fields might be the opportunity Flores needs to showcase his talent, just as long as he can stay fit.

Verdict

Northampton certainly are a hard one to call. They clearly have enough talent to push near the top of the division but with so many new faces it might be too much to ask this season. Mid-table feels more realistic and if they do manage to push higher it will feel like a job well done.

words James Richards, D3D4 Football