Johnstone’s Paint Trophy: Hartlepool vs. Northampton – Experts’ Pre-Match Analysis
Northampton travel to take on the League One side Hartlepool in the first round of the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy. Both sides will be looking to put their disappointing weekend performances behind them and aim for a win in this knockout stage of the cup competition.
Hartlepool suffered an embarrassing 5-0 home defeat to Sheffield United on Saturday, and Northampton, who have only won one game in the new League season, barely managed a draw at home with Wycombe Wanderers with a late goal in the 87th minute.
The visiting side have not had the best beginnings to their League campaign, but so far their form in the cup competitions has been the complete opposite. The Cobblers have been dominating the club competitions, defeating higher league oppositions twice. The Cobblers managed to reach the third round of the Carling Cup beating Brighton and Reading on the way and later in September face one of the former top four, Liverpool.
Hartlepool manager Mick Wadsworth will make changes after the 5-0 thrashing the side suffered over the weekend. It is expected that Paul Murray, James Brown and Adam Boyd, who have all proved to be an essential part of the team, could be rested for this fixture, and less regular players could be given the opportunity for some first team action. Humphreys, who makes a return after recovering from a knee and Achilles injury, could make his comeback in tonight’s match.
The player to watch, however, is Andy Monkhouse. The 29-year old midfielder has proved to be influential in recent performances and has earned the love and respect of the fans since his big move to the club. He will play his usual role of attacking, providing the ball for the strikers up ahead and occasionally aiming to score.
Purcell, who had to be stretchered off in Northampton’s weekend fixture, is not confirmed to return for today’s match. The extent of his injuries is still unknown and it is highly unlikely that he will make a comeback to the Northampton starting 11. Ryan Gilligan looks set to return to the starting 11 after recovering from the knee injury he suffered against Reading about a week ago.
Liam Davis, who has just returned from an injury and started the last match on the bench will have recovered fully and will most likely be part of the starting 11. If Davis starts, then his pace and skill will give Northampton the confidence they need to go forward and play attacking football.
Possible Starting XI:
Hartlepool: Flinders, Austin, Humphreys, Collins, Horwood, Gamble, Behan, Boyd, Monkhouse, Yantorno, Brown.
Northampton: Jansson, Johnson, Beckwith, Harris, Hall, Herbert, Gilligan Osman, Davis, McKay, Guinan.
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