Empty stadium will not faze Cobblers, insist McCormack and Goode

Only a handful of people will be allowed into the PTS this evening.

'It's up to us how we deal with it because it's the same for both teams.'

Having no fans in the stands for tonight's huge semi-final clash with Cheltenham Town will not faze the Cobblers, insists captain Charlie Goode and midfielder Alan McCormack.

While play-off games would usually attract a capacity crowd, the opposite will ring true this evening when Town host Cheltenham in front of an empty PTS Academy Stadium.

But experienced midfielder McCormack is confident his side will adapt to what are sue to be eerie surroundings.

"We train on the pitch every day and we've been doing that for most of the season, especially when the weather turned and the pitches became damper and wet," he said.

"The main training ground doesn't have the same surfaces so we come to the pitch and we train on the pitch and we're used to it being quiet and playing 11 against 11.

"We're used to not having people in the fans so that's one aspect that won't be any different to us and it won't be alien to us. People won't find it too strange.

"I'm sure Cheltenham are the same and that goes for Colchester and Exeter because everybody's played reserve games at empty stadiums, especially when you're younger or you're coming back from fitness.

"I don't think it'll be too weird for us but I imagine it will be stranger for fans watching on the TV and not seeing any supporters in the stadium and hearing what all the players are saying.

"We've seen it in Germany recently and it can be a bit strange but we're getting back to what we love doing and what fans love seeing and if that's the best we can do, we'll get on with it."

Skipper Goode added: "It'll be a strange feeling with no fans in the ground but we know they'll be willing us on through their screens.

"It's up to us how we deal with it because it's the same for both teams. We're used to being at the stadium every day so we know the surroundings and now we've got to go out there and do the business.

"I don't really know how it'll feel once we're on the pitch but I know as a group of players we'll go out and play our normal staff. We know it's a massive game, it's the play-offs, so the adrenaline will get us through it."