Northampton Town vs Plymouth ARGYLE-Match Preview

Plymouth Argyle will travel to promotion chasing Northampton Town on Saturday as the Pilgrims fight for Npower League Two survival, after their dismal display against Oxford.   

Manager John Sheridan’s four game unbeaten run ended at home to Oxford United the previous Saturday, so the squad will be aiming to start the undefeated run over again.  The Pilgrims find themselves placed in 22^nd position in the table after the defeat with Saturdays and mid-week fixtures going against the Pilgrims.  With the position that Argyle are in, only goal difference separates the three bottom clubs with Argyle, Accrington Stanley and Argyle’s next opponents on Tuesday evening AFC Wimbledon all located on 32 points.  From last season where Northampton were successful in the relegation battle alongside Plymouth Argyle, the East Midlands club now find themselves pushing for the play-offs or automatic promotion as the Cobblers are situated in 6^th position in Npower League Two with an astonishing 52points.

The last time Plymouth Argyle and Northampton played each other in the league was in the early stages of the season on Saturday 1^st September 2012.  This fixture was the first victory of the season under former manager and player Carl Fletcher.  From this encounter Northampton took a first half lead with the goal coming from Alex Nichols in the 26minute.  After the break Argyle took a deservedly 3-1 lead with the goals coming from Warren Feeney, Rhys Griffiths and Curtis Nelson.  At full time Argyle won the fixture 3-2 with a late goal coming in the 90minute for Northampton. On the Northampton substitute bench at the time was current Argyle and former Cobblers defender Anthony Charles. The defender left the club by mutual consent after making 10 starts and 1 substitute appearance for Northampton this current season.  Plymouth Argyle’s last trip to Sixfields home of Northampton, in the 2011-12 season, the Pilgrims managed to contribute to a goalless draw which helped them avoid relegation to the Conference Premier. 

John Sheridan will take his squad to Northampton on Saturday as he contributes to his second away fixture as being appointed the Plymouth Argyle manager.  After last Saturday’s poor performance against Oxford United at Home Park, Sheridan will be eyeing some vital changes to his side.  One player which could be included in the match day squad will be Argentine forward Andres Gurrieri.  The former Burton Albion player scored a hat-trick in the Semi-Final of the St Luke’s Devon Cup against Witheridge in which the Pilgrims won the game 7-2; this fixture was combined with first team players and apprentices. Goalkeeper and defender Rene Gilmartin and Curtis Nelson are still unavailable for John Sheridan.  The players are still struggling with groin and hamstring injuries. The players who are also unavailable for selection are forwards Warren Feeney and Nick Chadwick.  Northern Ireland striker Feeney is still struggling with ankle ligament damage, whilst for Chadwick, he is serving his last of a six match ban which was given to him for his actions that he submitted to a player against Port Vale.                    

 Available: - Jake Cole, Ollie Chenoweth, Durrell Berry, Jamie Richards, Maxime Blanchard, Guy Branston, Anthony Charles, Onismor Bhasera, Jason Banton, Luke Young, Paul Wotton, Jamie Lowry, Conor Hourihane, Lee Cox, Andres Gurrieri, Jared Sims, Paris Cowan-Hall, Ronan Murray, Isaac Vassell, Matt LeCointe, Ruben Reid, Tyler Harvey, Gozie Ugwu, 

Unavailable: - Rene Gilmartin (hamstring injury), Curtis Nelson (groin injury), Nick Chadwick (suspended), Warren Feeney (ankle ligament injury)