Clough still aggrieved by big referee decision in reverse fixture against Cobblers

Deji Oshilaja was adjudged to have fouled Ethan Wheatley back in November’s reverse fixture, giving away what proved a decisive penalty, scored by Tom Eaves, as Cobblers ran out 2-1 winners.

However, the two teams have gone in very different directions since then, with Town sinking fast and Mansfield, who pushed Arsenal close in the FA Cup recently, seemingly safe in mid-table, though Clough is taking no chances.

“This is the one we have to target and say ‘we have to look to win’,” he said. “Northampton will be fighting and battling away just like all the teams down there. It doesn’t make it any easier than going to Bradford when you’re playing somebody in the bottom four.

“We made a couple of poor decisions in the last Northampton game. We were a bit unlucky, we were down to ten men when they scored one goal. We gave a penalty away – Deji dangled a leg but we had feedback that it wasn’t a penalty. So straight away, the refereeing decision is the same as Port Vale and Exeter, there’s three penalties we’ve had against us that they admitted weren’t penalties. That’s a lot in 30 odd games, a lot of decisions going against you. So hopefully, we won’t have one on Saturday.”

Currently sitting on 46 points after drawing 1-1 at Bradford on Tuesday, Clough believes his side still need two more wins to be certain of safety.

“We’re going to have to carry these gritty performances forwards if we’re going to stay safe,” he added. “We’re in a reasonably good position but we don’t know what we’re going to need – 50 points has historically been enough, but I don’t think it will be this season. I think we’re going to need 51, 52. I was talking to Conor Hourihane (Barnsley manager) after the game on Saturday and he said 50 won’t be enough because of the evenness of the league.”