Cobblers boss Wilder plays down Tranmere’s relegation struggles

Town play host to 23rd-placed Rovers knowing a win could take them to within two points of the play-off places, with a home game against Carlisle United, who are 21st in the table, to follow on Tuesday night.

Tranmere have lost five of their past six games but Wilder has played down their perilous league position and insists the focus is solely on his own players.

“The most important thing for us is that we make sure we’re right because we know in this league than anyone can turn anyone else over,” he said.

“We have to be bang at it and we have to be right mentally, which we will be, and we have to make sure we recover from the defeat (at Plymouth).

“The opposition’s position in the league is irrelevant. They’re fighting to stay in the Football League and whatever team you play at this stage of the season, it’s a tough encounter.

“From our point of view, we believe that we’ll get a result.”

Changes to the Cobblers line-up are likely to be kept to a minimum despite them losing 2-0 at Plymouth Argyle last week, a loss which was only the team’s second in 2015.

“It doesn’t get smashed from one defeat,” he said.

“We’ve not been tearing into the players and saying this, that and the other are all wrong.

“We didn’t think there was a lot wrong with the performance on Saturday, we just need to be a little bit better in key areas.

“I’m sure we will we and we will go again. It’s another chance for us to put a bit of pressure on the teams above us.”