Iron manager Russ Wilcox believes the match against Northampton will be a tough test as they are in desperate need of three points to avoid relegation.
The Cobblers, who are now managed by Chris Wilder and assisted by Alan Knill, has shown promotion form in the last couple of weeks but they still remain below the dreaded red dotted line.At the same time Wilcox’s side have also kicked on with their excellent run and they will equal the league record of 19, set by Nigel Adkins’ side during the 2006/07 season, should the take at least a point.
However, the United boss understands that every game between now and the end of the season will be a tough ask.
He told The Iron Player: “The last dozen games for the Iron will all be tough games.
“They’ll all be closely contested games where we are going for three points.
“It will be the same this weekend, Northampton will be going for three points but for completely different reasons.”
Wilcox added: “There won’t be many games this season where we play a team that is battling for promotion or against relegation.”
Having picked up 10 points from their last five league matches is form you’d expect to see from a team challenging for the title, not one battling for their football league status.
However, Wilcox believes the wholesale change in personnel at the club will give them a great chance of achieving League Two survival.
“I believe they have a great chance of staying up,” he said.
“Chris Wilder has done a great job there and you have to give the chairman a lot of credit there as he has brought in a new manager and allowed funds to bring new players in.
“He has done things in the right way, they had a group of players in there that were used to losing and he has gone there and brought in fresh blood which gives them the impetuous to push on,” the Iron boss continued.
“10 points from five games shows you everything you need to know.
“It will be a really difficult game.”
Wilcox added: “We have a good record against Chris and Alan this season having won at Oxford when Chris was there and after beating Northampton when Alan visited here last year so it’ll be nice to get another win.”
Wilcox has confirmed his sides preparation is going well, however they can’t reflect too much on the reverse fixture between the two sides earlier this season, as the Cobblers’ team has changed significantly since then.
“It is a completely different team to what it was when we played down there back in September," he concluded.
See much more from Russ Wilcox, Niall Canavan, David Mirfin and Sam Slocombe on The Iron Player.