Boothroyd confident Northampton Town can beat the big freeze

Aidy Boothroyd is confident the Sixfields ground staff can once again come up trumps and prepare a pitch that beats the winter weather so the Cobblers can entertain Burton Albion tomorrow (Sat 3pm).

Head groundsman Paul Knowles was the toast of the club last month when he got the surface ready for the game against Aldershot despite almost two solid days of rain.

The Cobblers went on to record a 2-0 win that afternoon, the first of three consecutive victories, and they want to get back in action as soon as possible in light of last week’s disappointing 3-0 loss at Chesterfield.

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The forecast for today is for snow - as much as 10cm has been predicted in the Northampton area - but Boothroyd is planning for the match in the usual way, albeit with one or two adjustments in terms of training.

“I don’t subscribe to this big panic and that the world’s going to end just because there’s been a little bit of snow,” he said.

“We worked very hard to get the game on against Aldershot just before Christmas, when everyone else was off, and we’ll be doing the same again for this game.

“We are all preparing as though the game is going to be played.

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“We’ll have to adjust and adapt here and there but as far as we’re concerned it’s game on.”

The squad has been unable to use the grass pitches at either Sixfields or their adopted home on the Franklin’s Gardens practice ground this week, leading to some creative use of the players’ time.

On Tuesday they underwent mixed martial arts training at a gym in town and their work has been limited to indoor fitness sessions.

“We can’t get on grass but that will be the case for most of the other teams as well,” he said. “We have had to mix things up a little bit with some different classes and some fitness work.

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“And then we’ve been up to Goals and done some technical stuff in the tighter spaces on the Astroturf there.

“Really it’s just been about mixing it and matching it to make sure we’re all right for Saturday.”

Meanwhile, the Cobblers are appealing for fans to get themselves down to Sixfields tomorrow morning to help clear snow from the pitch.

Groundsman Knowles inspected the playing surface on Friday morning and found it to have been well protected from the cold weather.

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The club will now need volunteers to help clear Friday’s snow on Saturday morning.

Anyone who can help is asked to come to Gate 5 (next to the club shop) at 8am (or whenever after that time they can) on Saturday morning.

All supporters are asked to bring shovels, spades and particularly wheelbarrows. The club have a supply of grit to grit outside the stadium.

Bacon rolls and hot drinks will be provided.

We would like to thank supporters in advance for their assistance.