Kevin Nolan ready for 'scrap' with EFL over 'incredible' schedule
Kevin Nolan says he is prepared to have a ‘scrap’ with the EFL over the ‘incredible’ schedule as Cobblers prepare to play six games in 22 days.
After drawing 1-1 with Huddersfield on Tuesday, Town go to rivals Peterborough this weekend, then host AFC Wimbledon next Friday before heading to Burton Albion on Boxing Day. Cobblers have the return trip to Huddersfield on December 29th and the hectic festive period comes to an end when Stockport County visit Sixfields on New Year’s Day.
Nolan said: "It's a busy schedule and we go to Huddersfield again at the end of the month after going away to Burton. The league really needs to have a look at the fixture list because it's incredible.
"It's incredible what these lads are having to go through and it's no wonder that lots of players are suffering with injuries at the moment but I'm not going to worry about that.
"If the authorities want the product to be really good, they need to look after the lads because then you'll get the best teams and the best players having a right go at each other every week. Overplaying players doesn't help but that's probably for me and the EFL to have a scrap over.”
Cobblers picked up a respectable point when they held Huddersfield in a low-key, somewhat flat League One fixture on Tuesday.
Nolan added: "We can take credit for matching a top side but that’s why we assembled this squad – we want to be able to compete with the big clubs in the division. I think we’re showing we can do that.
"But sometimes you need to get the fans involved and you need to do something to get them up and we never did that on Tuesday. It was more of a huff and puff game and there were lots of oohs and aahs and it never quite happened.
"You're going to have those days but I'm pleased about the point, we respect the point, and now we move on and look to go one better on Saturday.”