Striker Smith confident Cobblers can catch Cod Army cold

Striker Michael Smith knows the Cobblers are up against it as they travel to form team Fleetwood Town on Saturday (ko 3pm) because the Cod Army are on the march in Sky Bet League One.
Cobblers striker Michael SmithCobblers striker Michael Smith
Cobblers striker Michael Smith

Unbeaten in 16 league matches, a run stretching back to November 12, and unbeaten in the league at home since September 24, Uwe Rosler’s men are genuine contenders for a top two finish and promotion to the Championship.

After back-to-back wins over Bradford City and Milton Keynes Dons they sit in fourth place, just two points behind second-placed Scunthorpe United and seven behind leaders Sheffield United, and confidence in the Highbury Stadium camp is high.

But Smith isn’t at all fazed by the challenge that awaits, and instead points to the Cobblers’ own, more modest, three-match unbeaten run that has boosted belief at Sixfields, and in particular last weekend’s draw at another in-form and promotion-chasing team in Southend United.

“It was a massive result, and I think in the grand scheme of things it could be a very big point for us,” said Smith, who is on loan from Portsmouth until the end of the season.

“Southend have been flying this season and are right up there, and I don’t think many teams will go there and get any kind of result. So for us to go there and get a draw was excellent.

“Fleetwood is going to be another tough game, because they are flying in the league as well.

“So it will be another hard test, but I think we have got more than enough to go up there and get something.”

The draw at Roots Hall came off the back of two straight home wins against Chesterfield and Swindon Town, results that have eased relegation fears at the Cobblers.

Indeed, Town have won their past three at home, but have yet to win on their travels under new boss Justin Edinburgh, with defeats at Milton Keynes Dons and Walsall followed by that Southend stalemate.

In many ways, with another big home date with Oldham Athletic on the horizon next Tuesday night, the trip to in-form Fleetwood could be seen as something of a bonus game for Town, a bit of a free hit.

But Smith says that is not the way he or his team-mates will be approaching things.

“I think every game of football you play in, you want to win it or try and get something out of it,” said the 25-year-old, who hails from Wallsend in the north east.

“Coming off the back of two wins and a draw is only going to bode well for us, and the lads are very confident and looking forward to the game.

“I think we are going there looking to take all three points.”

Life at Sixfields has begun pretty well for Smith, who has started the past three games.

The one thing missing from his game so far has been a goal, and he will be hoping he can break his duck on the north west coast, but he has been happy with how things have gone so far at Sixfields.

“I came in and the boys had just beaten Coventry 3-0 at home, so I knew I wasn’t going to go in straight away,” said Smith.

“The gaffer had a little word with me and said to bide my time and train, and we’ll see what happens.

“I’ve managed to get three starts now, and hopefully I can kick on.”