Adams: Cobblers will have to be at their very best at Coventry

The attacking midfielder believes Northampton have got a chance of claiming a place in round two, but accepts it’s going to be a big ask.

Coventry are fourth in Sky Bet League One and in a good run of form, but the Cobblers’ current run in league two isn’t too shabby either, and Adams is looking forward to stepping out at the Ricoh Arena.

The off-field problems that have plagued the Cobblers were eased a little this week, for the players at least, as the squad had their late wages paid by the PFA.

That means the players can concentrate solely on on-field matters, and Adams admitted: “This game takes the attention away from the other stuff that is going on.

“You look at Coventry, and it’s a great game for us, the club and the fans.

“We have sold a lot of tickets and they are going to go there in their numbers because they have been brilliant everywhere with us, and the stadium is unbelievable.

“Coventry are going to be a good side, they’re going really well in league one so we are going to have to be on top of our game to get the result.

“But I think we can go there confident, because we are in good form and if we get it right on the day we can get a result.”

The Ricoh is not completely unknown territory for Adams, who played there on a few occasions for Crawley Town, and he is looking forward to returning.

The stadium is certainly a far cry from most stadia in league two, and Adams said: “We were at Newport on Saturday and there was only as a couple of thousand people there, and now we’ll go to the Ricoh and it will be many more.

“I presume Coventry will have a few in, and I know we will take a good following so I am looking forward to it.

“You want to play at that kind of stadium, they are the best, and I have played at the Ricoh before and it is a great atmosphere.”

Indeed, Adams believes the Ricoh is the kind of stadium the Cobblers could be playing at every other week next season, if only they can get their off-field problems fixed.

“The aim for us is promotion, and you go into league one next season and there will be 12 or 13 teams who have grounds like that, which is another reason why we want the off-field problems sorted,” said the Town no.10.

“The way we are going I really think we have a big chance of going up.

“That’s the frustration, because if we do go up, and the stand is built, then it will be full every week because the clubs we play are bigger, and they bring a bigger following.”

Like his manager, Adams missed out on winning the Sky Bet League Two player of the month award for October, but he is loving turning out in the claret and white.

“I am loving it here, and I think you can see that when I play as I play with a smile on my face,” said Adams.

“The gaffer and Knilly (Alan Knill) give me the freedom to just go and play, and that suits me down to the ground so I am really enjoying my football.

“The lads are great, and we have got some unbelievable players here.

“That’s why we are hoping the off-field issues can get sorted out, because we really think we have a chance of going up this season.

“I played in a good side last season at Bury (who were promoted) and I think this team is as good, if not better.

“Hopefully everything off the field can get sorted out, we’ll keep doing what we’re doing, and this will all be forgotten about and we can have a really good season.”

On the off-field woes, Adams admits he never dreamed the club would be in this situation when he signed a three-year deal in the summer, but that spirit in the camp is still good.

“I have spoken to a few of the lads, and we can’t understand it, because look at the size of the club,” said Adams.

“You are getting 4-5,000 fans for every home game, and if that other stand was built it will be more.

“It is not something we expected when we signed here.

“As soon as I came and saw the place, I signed straight away, it was a no-brainer.

“The problems have all come as a surprise, but we are hoping it can all get sorted sooner rather than later.

“We all look after each other, which is a good thing we have here. The dressing room is great, and we are keeping our spirits high.”