That is the simple message from the Cobblers camp to their Bolton counterparts ahead of tonight's Carling Cup second-round tie at the Reebok Stadium.

Town head north to play David to Gary Megson's Goliath, who were narrowly beaten by Newcastle United at the weekend while the Cobblers were slugging out a bore draw with Millwall.

The Trotters have carved out a reputation in the top flight as one of the division's 'anti-football' sides, regularly ruffling the likes of Arsenal's feathers with a no-frills brand of football reliant on graft, graft and more graft.

It is a system that has paid dividends in the form of a continued presence among England's elite clubs – and the financial benefits that association brings.

But tonight the underdog tag is transferred from the home side to their opponents, an upstart league one outfit who have been upsetting richer and supposedly more talented teams at their own level since Stuart Gray's arrival as manager 19 months ago.

Andy Holt, who is expected to keep his place on the left wing, feels that if Bolton allow the Cobblers the time to play that they are so often deprived of in the blood and thunder of league one football, they could have a major say in the game.

"We'll be strong favourites going into the game," laughed the big man, who returns to his native north-west tonight.

"But no, the pressure will all be on Bolton.

"It's a fantastic stadium and nobody will be expecting us to go there and win.

"We've just got to go there, enjoy ourselves and pass it around and I think we'll do really well.

"I like to think we could give them a good game. The pitch is going to fantastic and that will suit us.

"We'll be able to get the full-backs on the ball and get a bit of time on the ball, whereas in our league people dive in all over the place.

"I think we're a good enough football team that if they give us time to play we can hurt them."

For many of the Cobblers players, this will be their first visit to the Reebok Stadium, while the supporters will be able to tick the ground off too.

Such is the tender average age of the squad, most of the players probably couldn't even name Bolton's previous home, never mind make a claim to have played there.

Holt, though, one of the old men of the side despite being just 30, has played in the shadow of the famous Normid supermarket.

"I have actually played at Burnden Park, unfortunately," said Holt.
"It was many years ago, I think it was 1973.

"No, I haven't played at the new ground so it will be a first for me, but sadly I did play at Burnden Park.

"It was for Oldham's reserves against Bolton's reserves and we won 2-1 so hopefully we can get the same result this time."

Despite the side failing to score in their past two games, Holt says confidence in the camp is still high.

The pre-season prediction of a place in the play-offs remains in place, and Holt highlighted the fact there will always be games like the Millwall one in any season.

"We're still confident we can finish up there," he said.
"We're three games in and we've got four points – obviously we'd like a better return than that.

"But there's going to be games in the season where you don't play well and still pick up points.

"We have to keep digging and scrapping and hopefully it will come."

Holt should retain his place in the side but Gray has options on the left now with Danny Jackman likely to be back in the fold after shrugging off a thigh injury.

Colin Larkin has done likewise to bolster options in the forward line, but Leon Constantine remains on the injured list.

One option may be to rest Luke Guttridge, who has tired late in games as he has not had a full pre-season.