Boss Austin calls on Cobblers players to turn the PTS into '˜a fortress'

Fresh from their first win of the season, at Colchester United last weekend, the Cobblers return to Northampton this Saturday as they entertain Tranmere Rovers, looking for their first home victory of the campaign.

Their two dates at the PTS to date have ended in a 1-0 defeat to Lincoln City and a 2-2 draw with Cambridge United.

And although Austin believes his team deserved better from both of those games, he knows the results weren’t good enough.

“It is nice to get any win, but if we are going to really push on this season we need to make this ground a fortress,” said the Cobblers boss, ahead of three home games in the space of just eight days, with Wycombe coming to town in the Checkatrade Trophy on Tuesday and Cheltenham the visitors in the league next Saturday.

“We have had two home games, we have lost one and drawn one, and they were both games we thoroughly deserved to win.

“But we have to turn those performances into goals, and into wins, and Saturday is a good opportunity for us.”

Tranmere were promoted from the National League via a Wembley play-off last season, and have started the new campaign well.

They have claimed eight points from 12, and lost just once - going down 3-2 at Swindon Town after being reduced to 10 men when leading 2-0 - and they will arrive in Northampton full of confidence.

“Tranmere are a decent team,” admitted Austin.

“I have watched a couple of their games, and I know somebody who saw them play the first game of the season at Stevenage, and they said they played very, very well in that game.

“I have watched some of that match back, and they have some good players and have obviously brought their momentum from last season with them, and it is going to be a very, very tough game.

“Every single opponent that we have this season, in this division, is going to be a tough opponent.

“They are not going to roll over and let us have things our own way, so I am expecting a very difficult game.”

Town’s confidence will have been boosted significantly by the victory at Colchester, and Austin is hoping they can take belief and momentum into this weekend.

“I said to the boys after the game on Saturday, we have to think about how we feel now, and how we want this feeling more,” said the Cobblers boss.

“So I told them to enjoy the win, and enjoy the weekend, but then we have got to be ready to move on, and I believe we already have.

“We have trained very, very well and I am hoping for that same kind of performance, the same energy, and to carry that momentum from last weekend and try to get three points.”