Defender Turnbull believes Cobblers' quickfire start rocked Derby County in FA Cup clash

Jordan Turnbull felt that the Cobblers' quickfire start took Derby County by surprise in Friday night's FA Cup fourth round clash at the PTS Academy Stadium.
Jordan Turnbull beats Derby's Jack Marriott in the air during Friday's FA Cup stalemate (Picture: Pete Norton)Jordan Turnbull beats Derby's Jack Marriott in the air during Friday's FA Cup stalemate (Picture: Pete Norton)
Jordan Turnbull beats Derby's Jack Marriott in the air during Friday's FA Cup stalemate (Picture: Pete Norton)

And Turnbull also felt the Rams struggled to deal with Town's direct approach and combative front two Vadaine Oliver and Andy Williams.

The Cobblers claimed a very creditable 0-0 draw against their Sky Bet Championship visitors and will now have a second bite at the giant-killing cherry when they travel to Pride Park for the replay next midweek.

"It was a great performance," said Turnbull.

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"I think the way we started was unbelievable, and Derby couldn't really cope with us for the first 15 or 20 minutes.

"The style of play we have got, and I think everybody here has got used to that now, we have two willing runners, and two big players up top, and we try and play in the opposition's half as much as possible.

"So it was a great performance, and I am just a little bit gutted we couldn't get a goal to celebrate with the fans, but we have got a replay out of it and we have got another big game to come."

Town were roared on by the majority of sell-out crowd, and Turnbull felt he and his team-mates perhaps deserved a bit more than a share of the spoils.

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"We we never really worried during the game, and I think the good start that we had sort of penned Derby back a little bit," said the former Swindon Town man.

"That got them a little bit worried I suppose and we created the better chances throughout the game and we are proud as a team.

"Everybody defended really well, we worked our socks off, and you could see at the end that we were a little bit tired, but we have had a lot of games and we have a few more coming up!"

Turnbull was at the heart of the Cobblers' defensive effort, helping to keep the likes of Chris Martin, Jack Marriott and Wayne Rooney quiet.

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Alongside him was usual central defensive partner Charlie Goode, as well as Michael Harriman, who stood in at centre-back in place of the suspended Scott Wharton.

The former Wycombe man enjoyed an excellent game, and Turnbull praised his performance.

"I think Michael slotted in fantastically," said the defender.

"He has played the majority of the season, when he has played, at right wing-back, so it was a case of him just moving over a little bit, and he was aware of the role he had to play.

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"Looking at Michael, he is obviously a little bit shorter than me and Chas (Charlie Goode) and we thought they may target that a little bit, but he dealt with things fantastically. He played a brilliant game for us."

There was only one moment of real controversy in the game, when referee Darren England failed to spot what looked like a foul by Goode on Rams striker Marriott early in the first half.

Goode looked to have pulled down the Derby man who would have been clean through on goal, and Turnbull admitted fortune may have gone with his skipper on that occasion.

Asked if he felt Goode had been a bit lucky not to be sent off, Turnbull said: "We had a few jokes about in the dressing room, and he probably was, but that was probably the slice of luck that we needed.

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"It was a bit early on in the game, and I think what has helped him is that he has got a bit of a touch on the ball just before the collision happened.

"Maybe the referee has seen that and thought that Jack Marriott has fallen on top of him, I don't know. But Charlie played on, and obviously played a fantastic game as well."

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