'We want to make our own history' - Curle knows the importance of derby day for Cobblers fans

'Nudge' from the chairman reminds Town boss not to take Posh clash lightly
Keith Curle will rev up his players for their derby clash with Peterborough United.Keith Curle will rev up his players for their derby clash with Peterborough United.
Keith Curle will rev up his players for their derby clash with Peterborough United.

It was just two days into the job as Cobblers manager that a message from a supporter left Keith Curle in no doubt as to the importance of beating Peterborough United.

Curle has overseen a previous encounter with Peterborough United, a 2-0 home defeat in the EFL Trophy last year, but Saturday's League One clash at the PTS will be his first proper taste of derby day in Northampton, albeit in the unique surroundings of empty stands.

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"I was first told about the derby only a few days into the job," said Curle this week. "One of the supporters, after my first game, wished me well and then said 'just make sure, when you get the chance, you beat Peterborough!'

"That was after about two days so I know it's very much in the mind of supporters that they want to be competitive in games against Peterborough.

"But the preparation for us doesn't change. The focus is exactly the same and the respect levels are exactly the same in terms of the work we do behind the scenes ahead of the game."

Whilst the Northampton-Peterborough rivalry is relatively new to him, Curle is no stranger to big derby games. As a player, he played for Manchester City against United, for Sheffield United against Wednesday and he's also experienced derby day in his hometown of Bristol.

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"I was lucky enough as a player to play in some very big derby games so I know what it means," he added. "But I did get a little nudge from the chairman this week reminding me just how important this game is so I've very much got the message.

"We played a trophy game against Peterborough before. Obviously it's different in the league but we don't underestimate or undervalue any game we play in any competition.

"We've got a very competitive squad and we expect players to do well in training and achieve high standards, but there's nothing better than to have a big game to look forward to and we want to see the things we've worked on in training replicated on gameday."

Curle is bidding to become the first Northampton manager to beat Peterborough in any game since Colin Calderwood 14 years ago.

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"Past records don't really impact us," he added. "Every club has their own history and their own records but I'm here to make my own.

"That forward-thinking mentality is what I bring to every club I come to because we want to put down a structure that allows the club to make forward progress.

"Saturday will be a big test for us. They were very unlucky last season with how it all ended but we know about their strengths."