Saints are back in action very quickly after their win against Wrexham as the travel to the Sixfields Stadium to play the Cobblers of Northampton, Will Still will ring the changes, but hopefully not as one of his predecessors did at Gillingham two years ago.

Two years ago Saints travelled to Gillingham in the Carabao Cup and Russell Martin used the occasion to make a statement, he put out a team mainly composed of youngsters and players that he clearly did not want in his squad, playing some of them out of position as in Romain Perraud in the centre of defence, total chaos that in spite of 73% possession saw us 3-0 down just after the hour mark and a game where 3 of the home sides 4 shots on target went in.

Russell Martin revealed his arrogant my way or no way attitude from early doors.

Hopefully Will Still will not operate in this way and although he is expected to make multiple changes from the win against Wrexham, he will use this game to take a step forward in his season and not as Martin did back then, a step backwards.

In this respect he has a big squad with experience and so he can make those changes and still put out a strong side.

He has intimated that he will give game time to both Taylor Harwood-Bellis & Charlie Taylor, it is good to see that they are now ready to return, now the euphoria of that late win against Wrexham has died down, we can look at it in the cold light of day and the stark truth was that at the back we were disorganised and our constant failure to pick up runners meant that Wrexham had 5 or 6 chances that saw them with a clear chance on goal unmarked, on another day we could have been 3 -0 down before half time.

So I would hope that this would be an area that Will Still will be keen to improve and use this game to fine tune his defence.

Elsewhere although he might be a little bit short handed in the centre of the midfield, up front he has an abundance of riches and he will want to get some of those firing on all cylinders.

Whether that is trying to get Adam Armstrong through his lean spell or getting a better look at Ben Brereton Diaz and Damion Downs we will find out this evening.

But we should not underestimate Northampton, they are only a division below us, although they have started badly this season, losing at Wigan on the opening day followed by a 0-0 draw at home to Bradford, they have had two mid table finishes in League One since their promotion from League Two in 2022/23, although it should be said that a poor run at the end of last season, seeing them win just 3 times in the last 14 games, a run which saw them finish a little two close to comfort to the relegation zone than they would have hoped.

All in all they have a squad of solid League One players and that means they could be hard to break down, seasoned professionals with something to prove.

What we don't really know about this tie though is where Will Still sees the Carabao Cup, does he see it as something that can get you into a winning mentality, does he see it as a chance to give his squad players a game, does he see it as a hindrance that will add extra fixtures to a crowded season and therefore a hindrance.

We are still learning about Will and for a while that will continue, hopefully in a positive way this evening.

All Photos Via Reuters

andywelsh added 10:12 - Aug 12 We will also be welcoming home one of our own. Few will remember Sam Hoskins a promising forward who made a handful of non league appearances before being released. He has spent most of his career at Northampton moving into midfield as he got older and is now their captain. I have followed his career with interest and it is always nice to see a player who didn’t quite make the grade with us have a successful career in the lower leagues.

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mushinexile added 10:14 - Aug 12 If he's got the point of the job, he will want to win every match. We may play in the championship but a football club should have the same attitude to all competitions - we want to win.
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StAnt added 10:50 - Aug 12 Will Still's attitude to this and any other competition is well known and well documented - he has made clear that he wants to win every game of football which is very refreshing. He will treat this match seriously and not throw it due to picking a ridiculous side a la Russell Martin.
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StAnt added 10:50 - Aug 12 Will Still's attitude to this and any other competition is well known and well documented - he has made clear that he wants to win every game of football which is very refreshing. He will treat this match seriously and not throw it due to picking a ridiculous side a la Russell Martin.
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derbydog added 12:11 - Aug 12 You seem to have moved on from directly criticising Captain Jack to doing so indirectly with jibes of a lack of leadership in defence. I might have agreed with you were we still in the Premier League, but we’re not and he is perfectly good as one of 4 centre backs at this level. Everyone at the club says he is a leader, on and off the pitch. You might not see it, but the pros do. Every manager since before Ralph seem to trust him. I think it’s time to trust the management and lay off him for a month or two and see how the new systems suit him. THB is going to get into the team if he stays, and you would have thought Quarshie is best-placed to partner him in a back 4. Stephens is going to get the 3rd slot in a back 3 unless and until Ronnie steps up. Try a little in Captain Jack we trust and find another hobby horse to ride and see where we are in October?

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highfield49 added 12:46 - Aug 12 I have the same understanding as StAnt that there won't be too many changes in the line up. Unless imminent transfer activity demands that any player needs to be removed from the squad it makes sense to use the same players from the weekend and simply adjust the starting eleven. I've always disliked the idea of giving second string players, like McCarthy for example, game time and see no reason for Bazunu not to play. Resting fit players on the off chance of injury is as ridiculous a concept as resting them during training. Match fitness comes with stability and confidence, not by encouraging players to switch on and off. By all means give Downs a starting role and maybe move Armstrong to a wide position but unless Taylor Harwood-Bellis has a confirmed future at the club there seems no point in him playing.

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underweststand added 17:29 - Aug 12 We still have a large squad and a number of them will get minutes against Northampton, with a view to catching Will Still's eye, or conversely getting into the shop window for those who want away and to avoid sitting on the bench for the rest of the season. Wood-Gordon, Kayi-Sanda and even one or two U21 hopefuls may get some game time. A start for McCarthy to prove to Will that he is a reliable no.2 goalie a- voiding mistakes. I shall look for another front line with Stewart, Downs and even Brereton-Diaz to start. Some of Saturday's starters may be on the bench, and come on later depending on the state of the game after 60 minutes. If we are to succeed in this league, this level of opposition, one hopes that they shouldn't be too much of a problem.

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