Anderson accepts Cobblers '˜weren't at the races' in Chesterfield defeat

But the winger, whose first goal for the club proved to be no more than a consolation at the Proact Stadium, insists he and his team-mates will bounce back quickly from the disappointment.

“We weren’t at the races and it was a disappointing game,” said Anderson, who completed his first 90 minutes for the club against the Spireites.

“Chesterfield are not a team like MK Dons or Walsall who play good football, and it wasn’t the prettiest of games.

“It was disappointing to concede the goals in the manner we did, they are three sloppy goals for us, and we have been so solid.

“In the first 10 minutes Chesterfield came out better than us, and sometimes in football that happens, even to the top teams.

“There was no need to give the ball away in some of the areas we did in the game, and we are disappointed with that.

“But the boys have been top drawer.

“The unbeaten run has come to an end, and now we go again.

“It was going to come to an end at some point, and the lads will be desperate to get back out there and put it right.”

The Cobblers return to action with the eyes of the footballing world on them on Wednesday night when they take on Manchester United at Sixfields in the third round of the EFL Cup.

Unfortunately for Anderson, he won’t be involved as he is cup tied, having played for Bradford City in their first round defeat to Accrington Stanley in August.

But the 28-year-old will be at Sixfields to offer his support to his team-mates, and believes they can upset the odds and produce a giant-killing display.

“Of course I am disappointed to not be playing, but the lads who have played in the games before to get the team through to third round deserve to have that big day out,” said Anderson

“I have been fortunate over the years and have played against some of the big teams, and I have had that day out.

“I was fortunate years ago to be at Nottingham Forest when we beat Manchester City when they had just started paying the big money out. We beat them 3-0 at the City Of Manchester Stadium, so that was a nice day for me.

“I will be just as supportive whether I am playing or not, and that’s the same if we are playing somebody from league two, the conference or anything.

“I want the boys to go out there and enjoy their day, but also go out there and do it right and then you never know what will happen. It’s an opportunity for the lads to create an upset.

“I was at Bradford last season, and the fans there still live off the win over Chelsea in the FA Cup (the season before), and it happens every single season.

“Whether it is going to be us this year, who knows? But everyody is going to put 100 per cent into it.”

Anderson is excited at the prospect of the Cobblers taking on Jose Mourinho’s world stars on Wednesday night, but he insists Saturday’s match at Chesterfield was more important to the players.

“It is a big game, and now the Chesterfield game is out of the way, I am sure the lads will be looking forward to it, but at any point on Saturday was the Manchester United game on our minds,” he said.

“The league is far more important to us than any cup competition.

“You get one big day out maybe in the cup, and to me that’s not important. Yes, it is nice to play against some of their guys if they bring some of the big boys.

“But I would much rather beat Chesterfield and lose to Manchester United.”