Harrogate Town AFC

Watch the Gaffer's pre Northampton interview here…
 
 

The Gaffer on looking for improvements after Tuesday night's result…

We've done the analysis already this morning. We've got the players in and made just a few clips of where we could have prevented goals and also some clips looking at how slick we were going forward, it's important to be balanced about it. 

We were disappointed with the score line on the night as we didn't follow up the Portsmouth performance defensively, but we still had our moments where we could have scored more goals. We move on after that though and we'll be working in training today and tomorrow on aspects where, if we get them cracked, we're a useful outfit.

On whether we missed Lewis Page's influence down the left side…

In recent weeks he's been brilliant. He's really taken the handbrake off and gone for it, been aggressive and quick and asking questions of defences as well with the way he's been marauding forward. The specialist left back was missed with his left foot and with his intense defending. So yes, we missed him but we're glad to have him back on Saturday.

On Rory McArdle and Ryan Fallowfield edging closer to full fitness…

It's a massive boost. They're good characters as well so it's good to bolster the ranks. Defensively, we've been hit hard in that one unit over recent weeks but I do think the lads have fared well without them and they've really dug in. It's great knowing that we've got the numbers back.

On Northampton's style of play…

They can really mix up the game. It would be wrong to just say they're a direct team as I think they can mix it up and I think you have to at this level. They've got good players with good experience and a lot of games under their belts. Some of them playing in the Scottish Premier, League One. We've looked into them and they can play different formations.

They ended up three at the back the other night and got the ball down the flanks to the wing backs and got some good deliveries into the box. Whether we expect that or 4-3-2-1 or the diamond system, we have to be ready.

On whether he expects Northampton to be at the top end of the table come the end of the season…

Yeah I think they will be. I think John Brady has done a great job and we've had some battles before when he was at Brackley a few years ago. He's a really astute guy, a manager and football person, and he can organize his team. You can see that whatever shape they play, they've been organised and hard to beat.

They've conceded far fewer goals than most teams at our level but they also have the threats going forward. I anticipate it'll be a little bit hectic for the first 20 minutes because both teams will battle hard, but then we've got to take the chances when they arise and get the ball down and play whenever we can.

On wanting to improve home form, starting on Saturday…

Well, we'll be aiming for that. I think any game brings new opportunities. We played first in the league the other night and despite the score line, there were moments where we think the gap isn't that big. We've got another opportunity on Saturday in front of our home fans and we want to put the record straight and send them home happy.

#ProudToBeTown