Cobblers! (Preview)

Seeing as we aren’t in the F.A. Cup anymore (thanks Hereford) why don’t we play a league fixture instead?

Dennis Wise’s men look to get back to winning ways as Northampton Town travel to Yorkshire on Saturday afternoon.

Vital Quotes:

Speaking after the 3-1 defeat by Oldham Athletic, assistant manager Dave Bassett believes that recent defeats are a wakeup call for the club in 2008.

Speaking to the official Leeds United website, Leedsunited.com Bassett said:

‘This is the time for the players to show what they can do,’ said the assistant boss. ‘They’ve done fantastic to get here with the 15 points, but they’ve got to push on now and show us that they can finish the job.

‘People will say ‘Have Leeds cracked?’ They have to show us they are up to it now. Those that don’t won’t find themselves in the team.’

Leeds striker Tore-Andre Flo, who will be hoping for a league start as Tresor Kandol continues his barren spell, hopes that the visit of Northampton will be the kick start the squad needs for 2008:

‘We haven’t played really well lately so it probably had to come at one stage,’ said Tore.

‘We were hit hard against Oldham, but maybe that was a good thing because we can get up again and fight back. Maybe we needed a kick.’

Leeds United Team News:

Leeds United look set to at least name new signing Sebastian Sorsa on the bench for the match against Northampton. On-loan (for now) midfielder Neil Kilkenny may also feature in some way.

Alan Thompson and Matt Heath are suspended; Jonathan Douglas probably won’t feature again this season.

Player to watch: Tresor Kandol

Tiny T likened him to a traffic cone. Will Mr M62 get a chance to prove himself once more to the Elland Road faithful?

Northampton Town Team News:

Bradley Johnson may miss the game despite suggestions he would play having failed to secure a move away from Sixfields.

Unfortunately this was before Northampton accepted a bid from Leeds and I fully expect Johnson not to feature.

Poul Hubertz and left-back Daniel Jones are suspended.

Player to watch: Bradley Johnson

Will he, wont he?

The inclusion of Bradley Johnson in the Northampton squad may be a good indication as to whether he will be signing for Leeds United in the next week.

Northampton!

It’s the return of the useless town facts!:

Northampton was the star of the 2005 film Kinky The shoe factory near Greyfriars bus station was used to represent the original factory in Earls Barton.

I actually watched that film (I blame the ex) and thought it utterly rubbish.

One of the major employers in Northampton is the Carlsberg brewery.

Comedian Allen Carr once used to go to school in Northampton.

Generally irritating Radio 1 DJ Jo Whiley was born in Northampton.

Northampton is twinned with the German town of Marburg. Marburg shares it’s name with a virus that developed in the town when workers at the main industrial plant, the Behring-Werke, were exposed to an infected monkey.

Ref Watch:

The referee for the match is Mr Graham Salisbury.

It’s his first Leeds United game this season! 60 yellow and 3 red cards in his 19 games this season shows that he’s not afraid to wield the plastic!

Match Prediction:

2-0 Leeds as we get back to winning ways for me!

Next Fixtures:

Leeds go on the road as they travel to Crewe on the 14th of January for a televised match!

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