What a difference a week makes - as well as the galvanising effect a midweek win should have on the Cobblers squad they also have some vital reinforcements for the visit of Exeter City.
Town will give a debut to Manchester City youngster Emyr Huws, of whom great things are expected both at Sixfields and, eventually, at the Etihad Stadium, and will also have Anthony Charles back from suspension to bolster their options in defence.
But the biggest bonus for Saturday’s game came in the midweek win over Colchester United, and the performance of Chris Hackett at right-back.
Hackett was that good as an emergency full-back that, if Danny East is not given the green light to play through a shoulder injury, it would not dilute the team’s defensive strength should the former Oxford man continue there.
In fact, it is enhanced, because Hackett is able to use his experience and natural quickness to provide a solid base to whichever winger plays in front of him - it was no conicidence that Ishmel Demontagnac had one of his best games for the club on that side.
There is likely to be plenty of supporter attention concentrated on that area, with one-time Sixfields stylistic Arron Davies lining up on the Exeter left in what might have been an interesting reunion with his good pal John Johnson.
The majority of the fans’ focus, though, will be in central midfield and the role Huws plays in the rehabilitation of a Cobblers side that has lost their way a little in league football in the past few weeks.
Town have players on loan from Liverpool, West Bromwich Albion and Wigan Athletic but to sign a youngster from the champions of England is a whole different proposition and has rightly whetted everyone’s appetite.
Huws could be the game-breaker. But keep your eye on Hackett at right-back.
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