Iron boss Brian Laws is expecting a tough test this Saturday when United travel to Northampton Town’s Sixfields Stadium.
After being knocked out in the first round of the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy to Sheffield United the United manager is already preparing for their return to league action as they look to put August behind them.Laws told The Iron Player: “We have got to think ahead and we are already planning for the game on Saturday.
“Obviously we wanted to go out and win this game and I thought we showed tonight that we are more than capable of matching quality teams and those that are playing in a higher division.”
Northampton, who are managed by the vastly experienced Aidy Boothroyd, have had a slow start to this season following a successful campaign last time out.
However, Laws remains unfazed by the stat that shows Town are currently one place above the relegation zone and he still believes they will pose a tough test.
He said: “We have just got to make sure that the opportunities that we get we can put in the back of the net and that is the downside at the moment. The players were tremendous last night and they were applauded off the pitch and rightly so.”
Laws added: “The one thing is you know what you are going to get from Northampton.”
Having managed teams in the game for numerous years Laws recalls seeing what tactics certain managers tend to use and this weekend he is expecting Boothroyd to use the direct long ball tactics.
“Whichever division they are in they always tend to play in the same way. At times it is very direct," he added.
“They are a big side and we have to cope with that. But, if we play well and move the ball well we will be able to cause them problems,” Laws continued.
“It will be a good contest for us because there will be two contrasting styles of football on show.”
See much more from Brian Laws, Etienne Esajas and Christian Ribeiro on The Iron Player.