'Relentless' Buchanan draws praise from Edinburgh as he 'shackles' old pal Holmes

Manager Justin Edinburgh praised 'relentless' Cobblers defender Dave Buchanan after the left-back came out on his top in his battle with his old pal Ricky Holmes.
NOWHERE TO GO - Dave Buchanan stayed close to Ricky Holmes in the Cobblers' 2-1 win over Charlton (Picture: Sharon Lucey)NOWHERE TO GO - Dave Buchanan stayed close to Ricky Holmes in the Cobblers' 2-1 win over Charlton (Picture: Sharon Lucey)
NOWHERE TO GO - Dave Buchanan stayed close to Ricky Holmes in the Cobblers' 2-1 win over Charlton (Picture: Sharon Lucey)

Former Town star Holmes was singled out as the Addicks' dangerman ahead of the teams meeting at Sixfields on Saturday, but he got little change out of the Cobblers left-back.

Buchanan was a team-mate of Holmes for 12 months, and after many, many hours of watching him in matches and coming up against him in training, he clearly knew exactly how to keep his old mate quiet.

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Edinburgh was impressed with the 30-year-old's performance, and said: "He shackled Holmes, and was fantastic.

"It is always good to have the insight of knowing somebody very well, and Buchs never gave him a kick. He was back to his real best."

Saturday's clash against Charlton was Buchanan's 98th consecutive start for the Cobblers, the defender not having missed a game in any competition since signing from Preston North End in the summer of 2015.

He is set to rack up 100 straight games in next Tuesday's Sixfields clash with Port Vale, and Edinburgh paid tribute to the player.

"He is a phenomenal pro," said the Cobblers boss.

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He is relentless, always pushing himself and the team, and I am delighted to have him at the football club."

On a day of many positives for the Cobblers, another was Michael Smith scoring his first goal for the club.

he striker, who is on loan from Portsmouth, scored for the first time in 15 matches and for the first time since November 26 when he superbly headed home Aaron Phillips' delicious cross for the opening goal at Sixfields.

"I am so pleased for Smudge getting that goal," said Edinburgh.

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"His performances in games have been really good, he works tirelessly, his hold up play is good, and he is always a threat in behind. The way he finished his header was brilliant.

So does he think the 25-year-old can now go a bit of a scoring run for the Cobblers?

"We always think that of strikers," said the Town boss. "He is capable, and has done it before at this level, and there is nothing stopping him doing it again."

The Cobblers have a free week before they travel to AFC Wimbledon on Saturday.