Nolan draws parallels between Cobblers and Wimbledon ahead of Friday meeting

Dons exceeded expectations by winning promotion from League Two via the play-offs last season, and they made a flying start to life back in the third tier before tailing off in recent weeks. Nonetheless, they go into tomorrow’s game sitting an impressive 10th, albeit only three points above Cobblers in 14th.

“Johnnie (Jackson) and Terry (Skiverton, assistant manager) have done a brilliant job at Wimbledon,” said Nolan. “They did fantastically to get promoted last season and they are very much like ourselves in terms of their budget and having to battle above their weight.

"I've known Johnnie for a long time and I look forward to seeing him and catching up after the game, but beforehand it’ll be down to business and we’re at home and I want to get back to winning ways.

“I felt we were under-par against Huddersfield and then with the loss at the weekend, we need to put it right. I'm coming up to my first year in charge so hopefully there's lots of reason to celebrate after Friday and we can all look forward to a nice Christmas."

Cobblers were edged out by Peterborough last time out after playing more than 80 minutes with 10 men.

Nolan aded: "We can take all the praise for the effort but ultimately it was a defeat and what we have to do is take our anger and frustration and turn it around and get back to winning ways at Sixfields. If we play like that again, we'll give ourselves a great chance and that has to be the marker.

"The boys are listening and taking on the information and all the feedback we give them, but there’s also a lot of learning we can take from Peterborough.”