Cobblers scorefred sponsored by 'Three steps to Heaven'.

[kevin kents tasce]

Jesus, there are some clowns on here. We have just won against a team who narrowly missed out on the auto’s.

I don’t think people realise that the opposition can affect the game too.

Some of the comments on this thread are completely ridiculous

[Stoney]

Brilliant win. We weren't at it second half at all but to go to Sixfields 1 goal to the good is more than enough.

I would've been worried if we drew or lost tonight but I'm not sure how anyone can be disappointed with a win.

Well done Stags!

Hawkins was exceptional tonight.

[NEStag]

We got a bit lucky tonight but it’s about time. A draw was probably a fair result but we take the win.

We can regroup and go again on Wednesday with a lead into the second leg. They have to score and chase the game if they can’t. And if we get one it’s a massive task for them.

The bookies now make us favourites for promotion.

[Johnny H]

Jesus, there are some clowns on here. We have just won against a team who narrowly missed out on the auto’s.

I don’t think people realise that the opposition can affect the game too.

Some of the comments on this thread are completely ridiculous

Do you not think we should have been that team ?
Do you not think we are using the same 14-15 players week in , week out and not using players that could effect a game in better ways...
Its typical NC...he has developed a cracking squad, just doesnt want to use it.

[Sandy Pate Best Stag]

For all their dominance in the 2nd half only a lucky deflection got them on the score sheet. Apart from that I didn’t think they looked like scoring, yes a few close-ish efforts but that’s all.

We were worthy winners on the night and with a different ref I think the gap would have been wider. Nothing to fear in the second leg as long as we don’t panic and beat ourselves.

[bobbystagsfan]

Jesus, there are some clowns on here. We have just won against a team who narrowly missed out on the auto’s.

I don’t think people realise that the opposition can affect the game too.

Some of the comments on this thread are completely ridiculous

Do you not think we should have been that team ?
Do you not think we are using the same 14-15 players week in , week out and not using players that could effect a game in better ways...
Its typical NC...he has developed a cracking squad, just doesnt want to use it.

Please enlighten us, we've just won 2-1 in the play offs first leg and you're here posting this raspberries. Some of you will never be happy.

[lifestags]

It’s going to be really tough now on Wednesday, we were so so poor second half. Just couldn’t keep the ball. If they put that pressure on at their place I think we will crumble.

[Johnny H]

Jesus, there are some clowns on here. We have just won against a team who narrowly missed out on the auto’s.

I don’t think people realise that the opposition can affect the game too.

Some of the comments on this thread are completely ridiculous

Do you not think we should have been that team ?
Do you not think we are using the same 14-15 players week in , week out and not using players that could effect a game in better ways...
Its typical NC...he has developed a cracking squad, just doesnt want to use it.

Please enlighten us, we've just won 2-1 in the play offs first leg and you're here posting this raspberries. Some of you will never be happy.

See my post above......Why bring Wallace on and play him in the role that Maris was running the game in....why not Clarke for Longstaff ??....he would have won far more balls than Wallace who was really poor again....why does Longstaff and Murphy start, they are just not involved enough when we have the ball.
As post also says, JJOT and Hawkins were excellent against the ariel threat they posed

[kevin kents tasce]

Do you not think we should have been that team ?
Do you not think we are using the same 14-15 players week in , week out and not using players that could effect a game in better ways...
Its typical NC...he has developed a cracking squad, just doesnt want to use it.

I thought we were in control up until the point they scored on the counter attack.

The goal changed the game in their favour and they increased the pressure. They hardly had a shot.

The comments on this thread about Murphy and Longstaff are nothing short of pathetic.

I don’t think Clough got it perfect. We seemed to switch from a diamond to a 4-3-3. In the second half and I would have preferred to have stayed with the diamond to try and control midfield.

I thought all of the subs were the right decision based upon the situation of the game at the time of the changes

[yorkshire stag]

why oh why didn’t he bring Laps on second half ?

be honest you would have snapped their hand off if someone had offered you 2-1 at the start of the game ?

they are nothing special, lump it up & those bloomin long throws, we can do these at their place, come on remember we won !!
COYS

sorry Hawks & JJ well played my joint MOTM

[Arnolds Rod]

No idea why he didn't bring Lapslie on to give Oates some support. JJOT and Hawkins were excellent. Midfield is the issue.Murphy lacks pace and needs dropping for Wednesday's game.

[Sneag]

Listening to Clough's interview I think Quinn will be a doubtful on Wednesday.

[Marky Mark]

Listening to Clough's interview I think Quinn will be a doubtful on Wednesday.

I thought he was going to be the first one subbed as he was holding his left side as the board was about to go up

[Gasbug+]

Well done tonight stags,half way there.I’m sure your a tad disappointed and feel you let them back in the tie second half.Northampton are what they are,they will make teams look poor and rushed with their passing with the press they put on,they did exactly that to us and we couldn’t get going at all.As a neutral (well sort of as I want you to win) they never really looked like scoring and the goal they did get would have been a routine save for your keeper without the deflection.2 nicely worked and well taken goals for yourselves gives you an advantage that you would all probably accepted before the game.Come on you Stags!

[Marky Mark]

Well done tonight stags,half way there.I’m sure your a tad disappointed and feel you let them back in the tie second half.Northampton are what they are,they will make teams look poor and rushed with their passing with the press they put on,they did exactly that to us and we couldn’t get going at all.As a neutral (well sort of as I want you to win) they never really looked like scoring and the goal they did get would have been a routine save for your keeper without the deflection.2 nicely worked and well taken goals for yourselves gives you an advantage that you would all probably accepted before the game.Come on you Stags!

THIS! Is what I wanted to hear

[StagsFanInDublin71]

Northampton are a good side, hence why they finishwd 4th. You only play as well as the opposition let you. In Nigel I trust

[Sneag]

I think all football fans have a habit of forgetting there are two teams on the pitch.

[Johnny H]

Do you not think we should have been that team ?
Do you not think we are using the same 14-15 players week in , week out and not using players that could effect a game in better ways...
Its typical NC...he has developed a cracking squad, just doesnt want to use it.

I thought we were in control up until the point they scored on the counter attack.

The goal changed the game in their favour and they increased the pressure. They hardly had a shot.

The comments on this thread about Murphy and Longstaff are nothing short of pathetic.

I don’t think Clough got it perfect. We seemed to switch from a diamond to a 4-3-3. In the second half and I would have preferred to have stayed with the diamond to try and control midfield.

I thought all of the subs were the right decision based upon the situation of the game at the time of the changes

Craig,
We never played the diamond
Murphy and Bowery were out wide and it was more a 451, than a 433.

His subs were predictable...but without any real change from the bench what do we expect.
1 def , 4 mids and a so called striker on the bench.
Longstaff was poor again and hardly had a kick again, Murphy not much better even though a goal came from one of his crosses

Happy with the win
But.at 2-0 up it should not have been as difficult

[CassellsCap]

Northampton are a very good strong physical side and play to their strengths but can also play some good stuff too....Hawkins and JJ were absolute giants tonight , well done.

[Martin Shaw]

Should be battering this lot.

Every week same issues.

If Murphy starts vs Northampton I'll switch off.

Please feel free to switch off from here too if you want to. You've posted the biggest load of garbage in a long time tonight

Also Murphy didn't cross for Bowery. It was a shot.

You've just got to be having a laugh surely. Unbelievable.

[MTFCMusings]

Happy with the result.

We were clinical in the first half, and sounds like helped by a little bit of luck as Oates offside.

Second half we lacked composure big time. Constantly goofing the ball forward instead of behind brave and trying to play. A little bit unfortunate with the goal we concede. Generally stood up well to the aerial barrage, Hawkins was excellent.

We will need to keep the ball much better on Wednesday. We cannot just lump it forward and hope Oates will do something magical with it.

[Sneag]

I've just realised that, that's the first time we've won a play off game at home.

[georgefostersbeard]

Should be battering this lot.

Every week same issues.

If Murphy starts vs Northampton I'll switch off.

Please feel free to switch off from here too if you want to. You've posted the biggest load of garbage in a long time tonight

Also Murphy didn't cross for Bowery. It was a shot.

You've just got to be having a laugh surely. Unbelievable.

All seems fair

[Showaddywaddy]

I would have taken that result if offered it before the game but probably so would most Northampton fans. It’s going to be an agonising wait until Wednesday night.

[ParisStag]

I would have taken that result if offered it before the game but probably so would most Northampton fans. It’s going to be an agonising wait until Wednesday night.

No fan would take going into the 2nd leg behind.

We're in a better position than if it was level and we'll all take that. Anyone who says otherwise is lying or stupid.

Northampton have to come at us and that will leave them exposed.

In their last 10 home games they've won 5, lost 1 and drawn 4. We only need a draw.