Who's next for Cobblers? Now or the summer? Fans have their say after Nolan's sacking

These are some of the decisions facing the Northampton Town hierarchy as they decide who – and when – to appoint as the club’s next manager following Kevin Nolan’s dismissal earlier this week. Colin Calderwood has currently taken the reins.

The club essentially have two options: 1) go for an out-of-work manager who has both success and failures on his CV (Ryan Lowe, Darren Moore, Darrell Clarke), or 2) look further down the pyramid (Andy Peaks, Luke Garrard). A third option, potentially, is another Nolan-esque appointment, IE someone who is currently working as a coach on the backroom staff of a top level club.

Alan Sheehan and Andy Peaks seem the most popular with supporters at this early stage. Peaks has done impressive jobs in non-league with Tamworth and AFC Rushden & Diamonds, while Sheehan started well at Swansea but was sacked earlier this season.

Who do Cobblers fans fancy?

@JA_Dally

A rising star in non-league or someone with recent non league experience. Someone who knows where to find hidden gems and players who would jump at the chance of playing for a league club. They will surely give more than league journeymen or PL2 cast offs

@Scottydouglas61

Sheehan i think. Think it would take a miracle to keep us up but i’m sure he could keep us competitive in league 2 which i think is the main goal considering what’s happened to rovers, shrewsbury etc.

@ollie_ss25

Andy peaks give him the job, Tamworth one of lowest budgets in national league and IMO he would keep us up…

@Decerz_DD

Alan Sheehan for me, if he’s willing to drop down divisions, young exciting coach, plays football the right way and knows the club even if it was only brief. Over 40% win rate in the championship isn’t to be sniffed at. I personally probably would wait and assess in the summer

@TalkOfTheTeyn

Sheehan would be my first choice, played a possession based game at Swansea but that might be because he had the players to do so. There's a lot of players out of contract at the end of the season so it would be worth getting them in now so they can assess the squad and see who they want to keep/release at the end of the season.

@joel_colson

Sheehan the standout for me! Think he’s a good blend of instant impact & leadership for the short term and could rebuild us in L2. Might hold out for a better gig though. Wouldn’t mind giving Grant a go in L2 if we do go down!

@MarkJosiah

Just got a feeling the club will go for Darryl Clarke. My choice would be Sheehan. We're pretty much down with the fixtures we've got left, but I think someone needs to come in before season ends, if only to assess the squad, then officially take charge as soon as the season ends

@adambarby18

Andy Peaks or Luke Garrard for me. Both on an upward trajectory. I’d wait to see how we go on Saturday, see if CC can get a different tune out of the lads and go from there

Now or the summer?

Whilst the club are aware of their perilous position, and the need for points is increasingly urgent, there is logic in waiting for the right appointment instead of rushing into the wrong one, even if that increases the chances of relegation.

What do fans think?

@timj_s

Wait and get it right. Someone taking over now needs to just take the handbrake off, get them playing for fun, passing to each other and see what happens. Ironically, I am worried that’s exactly what Calderwood won’t do. Also ironically, if we go down, you need to be robust in L2

@Rico82_NT

Plan for next season, this year is going to take a miracle the front line isn’t good enough to win 5 games. We know the budget is tight and will probably be tighter next. so up and coming manager feel the best. Don’t hate me but keep cc too as we need experience and connections

@Nails94

Assume we’re down and build for next year - I don’t want to bring in a hoof ball merchant to get us organised, still get relegated then have crap football next year

@_seanduffy

Ideally we want someone soon simply because we need to make decisions on players and plan effectively for next year rather. You can't get existing players to commit without a manager, nor sign new ones. I'd still prefer someone to work with the existing coaches.

@TheShoeArmy1897

I have a feeling that they will probably see if there's any signs of life against Burton. If we won and wanted to firefight relegation then that may change their mind. If we lost then with the games remaining and how tough they are, we may be left with CC and IS till end of the season and go all in the summer for someone to have a look at League 2.

@RodneyMarshall1

Worth waiting until the summer as I think relegation is looming whoever is in charge. I'd like Andy Woodman, although it is unlikely he would leave Bromley for NTFC. Even if he did, fans would have to accept his direct approach.

@davidkn85

I don’t expect us to get anyone new in before the next 3 games. We need to stay up. We don’t want to be the next Carlisle. I would have a complete clear out. CC can stay if he stays away from the pitch. I’d like Garrard. Not sure we can afford him tho

@shaun_cullum

I can’t see us staying up. I’d rather wait until the summer. Accept our fate and get in someone in like Lowe who has been around L1/L2 and can attract some experience to our squad Sometimes 1 step back is 2 steps forward in the long-run

Style of play over reputation?

For some, it is not about the name or even the reputation when it comes to the next manager. There are other factors to consider.

@TJRostance

I'm not a particular fan of 'possession football' for the sake of it but you do need something of a plan to get on the ball and attack. Attacking football, shots on goal, wing play, give me all of that. I appreciate that is hard to do in L1 on our budget

@JA_Dally

A rising star in non-league or someone with recent non league experience. Someone who knows where to find hidden gems and players who would jump at the chance of playing for a league club. They will surely give more than league journeymen or PL2 cast offs