McNamara confident York can upset the odds against Cobblers

The Scotsman saw his team lose 2-0 at Sixfields a little over two weeks ago, with the Minstermen having to play the final 30 minutes with 10 men following Luke Hendrie’s sending-off.

But York had plenty of positive moments in that game, and McNamara saw enough from his players to suggest they are capable of beating Chris Wilder’s men.

“I want three points from this game, we are at home and our home form has been good,” said the former Celtic and Scotland defender.

“We went down there a few weeks ago and I thought we did some good things in the game.

“Northampton started the game very well and put us under the pressure, but I think after that, even with 10 men, we passed the ball properly.

“They are a good side, they are full of confidence and have signed another striker (John Marquis), an they are top of the league for a reason.

“They have good, experienced players along with some good players in the final third of the pitch that can cause problems.

“But we have to get the crowd behind us and try and get the three points.”

McNamara believes Wilder has put together an experienced squad full of quality, and asked if he is surprised they are 10 points clear at the top, he admitted he isn’t.

“Northampton have players that have played at a higher level with other clubs,” said the York boss.

“It’s not that they have played their whole careers in league two, and they may be journeyman but they have some real experience there, especially one or two at the back.

“I know Zander Diamond well from my time in Scotland, and he has done very well for himself down in England.

“They are not players that are over hill by any means, they are good players, they have a good team spirit and it seems to be working for them right now.

“The sign of a good team is that they can grind out wins as they have been doing, and that is something I would like to instil in our team!”