Former Northampton Town defender Kevin Nicholson knows Adebayo Akinfenwa is the main obstacle standing in the way of Torquay United and three npower League Two points at Plainmoor tomorrow afternoon (Sat, ko 3pm).
The 30-year-old former Torquay frontman has scored 14 goals for the Cobblers so far this season, and will be on a high after today being named the league two player of the month for November.
Nicholson, who played seven games for the Cobblers under the management of Kevin Wilson in 2001, is well aware of Akinfenwa’s strengths, and also knows Clive Platt is capable of causing the Gulls problems when the two sides meet tomorrow.
“The obvious threat is Bayo upfront,” said Nicholson, who was branded a ‘Judas’ by Wilson on his departure from Sixfields, the left-back choosing to sign a contract with Notts County instead of the Cobblers, who Wilson felt had resurrected his career after signing him on a free transfer from Sheffield Wednesday.
“He’s incredibly strong and can score all types of goals.
“I’ve played with Clive Platt at Notts County, and if he gets the right service he will be a massive threat.”
Both Northampton and Torquay lie in mid-table after inconsistent starts and the similarities do not end there according to the Gulls captain.
“From what I’ve seen of them (Northampton) they are like us,” he said.
“They have been great at times yet they’ve also struggled.
“They seem to go on a three or four game winning streak but follow that up with a three or four game losing run.”
Yet the 32-year-old has no doubt where Aidy Boothroyd’s men will be at the end of the season, and he is predicting a possible promotion push for a club he describes as ‘massive’.
“At the end of the day, Northampton are a massive club with a big manager and squad,” said Nicholson.
“They have every chance of promotion if they find some consistency.”
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