Wilder confident Cobblers have the ‘character’ for Morecambe test

Fresh off the back of last weekend’s dramatic 1-0 win over Oxford United in front of almost 5,000 fans at a raucous Sixfields, Town make the long trip to the Globe Arena, where the average crowd this season is the lowest in Sky Bet League Two at 1,627.

On the pitch, Morecambe, not for the first time, are performing well above expectations, and currently lie fifth in the league two standings.

Wilder knows it is going to be a difficult afternoon for his players, but he has no concerns that Town will be ready for whatever Jim Bentley’s men throw at them.

“Last Saturday took care of itself. It was a game we were definitely looking forward to, and I really fancied our chances of winning that game against a side that has been on a great run,” said Wilder.

“This team has character, knows what the league is all about, knows that if you don’t get your attitude and mentality right on a Saturday, then you are in for a difficult afternoon.

“Morecambe have got some very good players going forward, a lot of movement and a lot of mobility at the top of the pitch.

“They play with no fear and they go for games, so I should imagine it will be an open game, and one we know we can go and win.

“But first and foremost we have to ensure that the mentality when we get on the bus on Friday is absolutely spot on.

“I know the qualities we have in the changing room on that side, and I know we won’t leave ourselves short in terms of how we prepare for the game.”

The Cobblers travel to the north west still without the services of injured quartet Ricky Holmes (back), Zander Diamond (dead leg), Brendan Moloney (knee) and Evan Horwood (groin), but have no new fresh injury concerns.

They will also be without central midfielder Jason Taylor though, as he is sitting out the first of his four-match ban for his red card in the win over Oxford United last weekend.