Northampton Town

Odds: 33/1

Last Five Seasons

2005/06 – 2 (League Two, Promoted), 2004/05 – 7 (League Two), 2003/04 – 6 (League Two), 2002/03 – 24 (League One – Relegated), 2001/02 – 20 (League One).

2005/06 Cup Progress

FA Cup Third Round vs Crystal Palace (a) – lost 4-1.

Carling Cup Second Round vs Norwich City (a) – lost 2-0.

Football League Trophy Southern Section Second Round vs Colchester United (a) – lost 3-2 after extra time.

Top Goal Scorer 2005/06: Scott McGleish (striker) – 24 goals.

Players In

Joe Burnell (Wycombe Wanderers – Free), Sam Aiston (Tranmere Rovers – Free),
Andy Holt (Wrexham – Free).

Players Out

Josh Low (Leicester City – Free), Martin Smith (Darlington – Free), Jason Lee (Boston United – Free), Ashley Westwood (Chester City – Free), Gavin Johnson (Oxford United – Free), Luke Graham (Kettering Town – Free).

Northampton Town have been the bookmaker’s favourites to win League Two outright following their relegation to the dungeon in the 2003/04 season. After two seasons of play off heartache, the Cobblers finished in second place last season to return to League One.

They will have to face the step up in quality without manager Colin Calderwood, who took over at Nottingham Forest, while former Wycombe Wanderers manager John Gorman has taken over at the Sixfields Stadium. The backroom staff has also changed, with Jim Barron leaving his post as goalkeeping coach at Wycombe to join up with Gorman, following Dave Watson’s decision to follow Calderwood to Forest.

Gorman has made winger Sam Aiston and left back Andy Holt his first signings after taking charge at the newly promoted club and both players signed two year contracts. Former Sunderland prospect Aiston was released by Tranmere Rovers last season following on term at Prenton Park while Holt ended a two year stay at Wrexham following spells at Oldham Athletic and Hull City.

Gorman returned to Wycombe to snap up midfielder Joe Burnell on a free transfer, ending the former Bristol City player’s two year tenure at Adams Park. Meanwhile, David Hunt and veteran duo Eoin Jess and Ian Taylor have all agreed new deals to remain at Sixfields. However, former Wales under 21 winger Josh Low has left the club following his £165,000 switch in 2003 and has signed for Championship club Leicester City on a free transfer.

Verdict

Northampton will find their first season back in League One a struggle. Last season’s top goal scorer Scott McGleish should draw on last season’s goal haul and use his ability to score enough goals to keep the Cobblers afloat in John Gorman’s first term in charge.

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