Cobblers defender Anthony Charles believes the presence of Edgar Davids in the Barnet dug-out will have a positive effect on the npower League Two strugglers.
And Charles, who returns to Bees, for whom he played from 2005-07, on Friday night, has urged the Underhill players to soak up as much information as they can from the Dutchman, who is the club’s joint manager alongside Mark Robson.
Town go to Barnet bidding to win a third game on the bounce for the first time this season following their victories over Colchester United and Exeter City.
The home side are in terrible form - they have taken just three points from their 12 league games so far and have failed to win a single match this season.
But Charles believes former Ajax and Juventus midfielder Davids will start to have an influence on the players soon.
“Having him (Davids) there will give the club a bit more exposure and I’m sure it will mean more people will go through the gates to watch them play.
“People of my generation are fully aware of the player he was and he’s now looking to start his career in management, which he has been given a chance to do so at Barnet.
“He has a lot of experience and the players there will do well to listen to what he’s got to say because he’s got a lot of knowledge and there is a lot to learn from somebody like that.
“His presence there will be beneficial to them all.”
The match between Northampton and Barnet is the only league two fixture to take place on Friday night, and Aidy Boothroyd’s side can jump into the play-off places with three points.
For Charles the game has added significance as it is against one of his former clubs, although there won’t be many people at Underhill to remind the centre-back of his time there.
“It’s been a few years since I’ve been there and when you go back to one of your previous clubs you always want to get a positive result,” he said.
“Other than Paul Fairclough, who was the manager when I was there and who is now the director of football, the staff have all completely changed.
“It’s pretty much just the name and the surroundings that I know there.”
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