21st December 2018

The Glovers come into this fixture off the back of a 0-0 draw at Cambridge United last weekend, whilst Northampton have put together an improved run of form since the arrival of ex-Carlisle Manager, Keith Curle, which has seen them rise from 20th to 14th – finding them now just seven points from the playoff positions.

The Cobblers pose a familiar threat for Darren Way, with Northampton now boasting no less than four ex-Glovers within their ranks.

Speaking to iFollow Glovers, Town’s boss said: “Sam Foley’s got technical ability with the ball, he can pick clever passes and he’s an intelligent footballer. Sam Hoskins has got bundles of energy, he gets up and down the pitch. Andy Williams, whatever club he has been at he’s been very successful and has been a very good player, and then Dean Bowditch – we all know the level that he’s been playing at for MK Dons, playing some very attractive football.

“Knowing Keith’s team, they get men behind the ball so we will have to have spells of possession where we have to break them down, because they’ve been quite solid, they’ve got a good team.” 

The Glovers ended a run of four successive defeats last Saturday, but the manager is looking to turn one point into three more regularly. He acknowledged the importance of defensive strength to his team, in a season where all five of Yeovil’s league successes so far have come with clean sheets for the green and whites.

“We actually spoke in the office this morning and I think we’ve lost three games, won one and drawn six – that’s the problem. We’ve drawn too many.

“I’ve seen energy and loads of passion in training. We’ve got competition now and we can build on that because I think at the start of the season clean sheets were very important to us in being successful.”

Speaking on potential January arrivals and contract negotiations with Yoann Arquin and Wes McDonald whose current deals expire at the end of December, he added: “The loan system has changed so much, especially now you’ve got loan managers who you’ve got to deal with.

“We have to be very forward thinking. It’s important to make sure that we’ve got targets and at the same time the ones that are remaining here have got to decide if they want a future at this football club. I have been speaking to their [Arquin, McDonald] agents and I think it’s important that they give us an answer, because as I said we have spoken to them.”