Northampton Town manager John Brady is relishing the visit of promotion rivals Leyton Orient on Saturday. The Cobblers sit 4th just a point outside the automatic places but Brady highlights that the O’s can draw level on points with a victory at Sixfields. Speaking to ntfc.co.uk “I’m expecting quite a battle, I’m sure there will be a strong home crowd and that will really spur us on”.

League Record – P18 W9 D4 L5 F24 A15

Only one defeat in last seven league games – W5 D1 L1

Only Forest Gren (14) and Tranmere (14) have conceded fewer goals

Northampton picked up their first win in six games in all competitions on Tuesday night with a 2-1 win over Oldham. First half goals from Jon Guthrie and Kion Etete set them on their way; Carl Piergianni halved the deficit but it wasn’t enough as the Cobblers held on to victory to move them up to 4th.

Brady was delighed with his sides first half performance on Tuesday night as they went 2-0 ahead but wasted chances to put the game out of sight. Oldham improved in the second half with the 46 year old acknowledging his side should have had the game won earlier. Speaking to ntfc.co.uk “they put everything on our back four, winning the first contacts and for some reason we were tenative. We know in the end it wasn’t god enough. The first half we were excellent and should have put them to bed a lot more. We could have killed the game off”.

No team in league two has kept more clean sheets – nine

No clean sheet in last three league games (six in all comps)

Three clean sheets in last four home games

Despite the poor second half performance, Brady hopes his side can learn from that experience going forward. Brady introduced Nicky Kabamba and Danny Rose as they moved to a 4-4-2 to release pressure in the final minutes. Speaking to ntfc.co.uk Brady stated “they played in a certain way to counteract us and you are not always going to have it your own way at this level. We need to be adaptable and more flexible in these moments. Some of our decision making needed to be better but in the end we dug out the result”.

Failed to score in three league games

Scored in last 12 games in all comps

Only failed to score in one of their last 16 games

The Cobblers have been in fine form at home this season and Brady is hoping his side can add another three points against Orient. The former Brackley boss has urged on the crowd to push them over the line when Orient visit. Speaking to ntfc.co.uk “four wins in a row at home, real positive with some of the football we did in the first half. Exceptional and relentless with wave after wave of attack. I’ve said all day long, it needs to be a fortress at home and we’re trying to make it that. Our home form has been good. Second half we really neded the crowd”.

Joint Best Home record in league with Exeter and Hartlepool

Home Record – P9 W6 D1 L2 F15 A7

Only lost one of their last seven – W4 D2 L1

The O’s arrive on Saturday in good form with Brady fully aware of the threat that Kenny Jackett’s men could pose. Speaking to ntfc.co.uk “Orient will be a strong opponent, they are unbeaten in their last eight and have only lost two games this season. They are in every single game they play. They are onkly behind us in the league but our home form has been strong so we can take confidence from that”.

Scored in last eight league games – netting 15 goals

Brady will be forced into at least one change against the O’s with midfielder Shaun McWilliams out through suspension after picking up his fifth booking of the season against Oldham. The 46 year old hasn’t changed his team much, naming the same starting 11 in six of their last eight league matches. Speaking to northamptonchron.co.uk “I did feel players were a bit fatigued. We’re talking to one or two players in terms of how they can force their way into team and give that impact but trust has not always been there, they ned to put a marker down when they get an opportunity”.

Head to Head – Northampton 30, Draw 22, Leyton Orient 29

Northampton have only lost one of the last nine league games – W4 D4 L1