This Week's Opposition: Northampton Town

The Blues ended their streak of 3 consecutive away games with a draw at the Kassam Stadium. A 90th minute header from substitute James Henry equalised the sides after what had been a triumphant second half display from the Blues.

Colby Bishop’s 15th goal of the season had levelled things for Pompey in the second half before debutant Callum Lang made the dream start to life in blue with a goal to give his new side the lead on 80 minutes, though the celebrations lasted just 10 minutes and the game ended in a desmond. 

This weekend we’re finally back off to Fratton Park and next up, the opponents are Northampton Town.

MANAGER

Jon Brady is the man in the dugout for The Cobblers.

Brady started his playing career at Wycombe Wanderers, however he didn’t break into the first team and joined Hayes via a spell in Norway.

The former Australian winger also played for Rushden & Diamonds, Woking, Chester City, Stevenage, Hereford United and Cambridge United, as well as a loan spell at Kidderminster Harriers.

In total Brady played 307 league games, scoring 27 goals. He was appointed manager of Brackley Town in 2009 and stepped down in September 2015.

He then joined Northampton Town as U16s coach and was then promoted to U18s coach a year later. Following the sacking of Keith Curle in 2021, Brady was placed in temporary charge of the first team.

The 49-year-old was awarded the League Two Manager of the Month award in March 2023 after leading his side to 13 points from 5 matches. At the end of the 2022/23 season, Northampton were promoted to League One automatically in 3rd place.

Just a fortnight ago, Brady renewed his contract with the club on improved terms with the side then 9th in League One.

ONE TO WATCH

Fulham loanee Kieran Bowie is the one to keep tabs on this time around.

The 21-year-old started his career with Scottish side Raith Rovers and he helped the club to a Scottish League One title and therefore promotion to the Championship.

Bowie officially joined Fulham in July 2020 after a contract agreement had been made in February.

The forward joined Northampton on a season-long loan in July 2022 when the side were in the 4th division. Bowie then re-joined the now-League One outfit on a season-long loan last summer.

Bowie wears the number 19 shirt for The Cobblers.

TOP SCORER

Attacking midfielder Sam Hoskins is still the current top goalscorer.

Hoskins joined the Southampton Academy and worked his way through the ranks there, making his debut in a 3-1 Carabao Cup victory over Swindon Town.

He then had loan spells at Preston North End, Rotherham United and Stevenage before signing with newly promoted Championship side Yeovil Town on a 2-year deal in June 2013. 

During his time at Yeovil, Hoskins had a loan spell at Barnet before signing for Northampton on a 12-month contract in 2015. He then went on to sign a new and improved 2-and-a-half-year deal in February 2016.

Last April, Hoskins won the EFL League Two Player of the Season award and was also named The Cobblers’ Player of the Season.

The 30-year-old scored the only goal of the game in a 1-0 victory over Tranmere Rovers to secure Northampton’s automatic promotion back to League One at the end of last season.

Hoskins has recently signed a new contract, tying him with the club until 2026. With 14 league goals so far this season, making him the top goal scorer, Hoskins wears the number 9 shirt.

CURRENT FORM

The Cobblers currently sit 9th in the League One standings with their recent 5 games producing 3 victories, 1 draw and 1 defeat.

Jon Brady’s side have an away record this campaign of 5 wins, 1 draw and 7 defeats - They have gathered more points on home soil this season.

The last time these sides met was at Sixfields on a freezing cold December afternoon just under 2 months ago.

A brace on that day from Paddy Lane and a header from Sean Raggett saw the result read a 3-0 victory for the Blues with many Northampton fans on social media claiming that John Mousinho’s side were like Manchester City in disguise.

Can the Blues mark their return to PO4 with a win and maintain their place at the top of League One?

Tune in for all of the unmissable action this Saturday (February 3rd) afternoon from 2pm - Robbie James, Jake Smith and James Wilson will be providing full coverage of the Blues' League One meeting with Northampton Town on Pompey Live.

Kick-off: 3pm!