Football Season Guide

League 2

England

League 2

2021/2022

Northampton Town

In

Jonny Maxted (Goalkeeper, Exeter City); Liam Roberts (Goalkeeper, Walsall); Aaron McGowan (Defender, Kilmarnock); Ali Koiki (Defender, Bristol Rovers); Jon Guthrie (Defender, Livingston); Sid Nelson (Defender, Tranmere Rovers); Dylan Connolly (Midfielder, St Mirren); Jordan Flores (Midfielder, Hull City, Season-long loan); Mitch Pinnock (Midfielder, Kilmarnock); Paul Lewis (Midfielder, Tranmere Rovers); Kion Etete (Attacker, Tottenham Hotspur, Season-long loan); Nicke Kabamba (Attacker, Kilmarnock)

Out

Jonathan Mitchell (r) (Goalkeeper, Loan ended); Steve Arnold (sp) (Goalkeeper, released); Alan Sheehan (sp) (Defender, Oldham Athletic); Cian Bolger (sp) (Defender, released); Lloyd Jones (r) (Defender, Cambridge United); Peter Kioso (r) (Defender, Luton Town, Loan ended); Bryn Morris (sp) (Midfielder, Portsmouth, Loan ended); Ethan Johnston (Midfielder, released); Mark Marshall (sp) (Midfielder, released); Matt Warburton (Midfielder, released); Ricky Korboa (Midfielder, Sutton United); Ryan Watson (r) Midfielder, Tranmere Rovers); Caleb Chukwuemeka (Attacker, Club Brugge); Harry Smith (r) (Attacker, Leyton Orient); Mickel Miller (sp) (Attacker, Loan ended); Ryan Edmondson (sp) (Attacker, Loan ended)

Jon Brady will be hoping to bring some stability to Northampton Town following relegation from League One. It was a very different story a year ago when the Cobblers swept Exeter City aside at an empty Wembley Stadium to win the League Two play-off final. It was a personal triumph for manager Keith Curle, whose style of play is anathema to many. It’s fine when the team is winning but, having spent the season struggling at the bottom of League One, he was sacked in February with Brady succeeding him. There was a brief honeymoon period but Brady couldn’t keep the side up. He did enough to earn the job on a permanent basis and will be hoping they can bounce straight back at the first attempt. It will take time however given the change of playing style and personnel. Target man Harry Smith has left for Leyton Orient whilst several loanees have returned to their parent clubs. The biggest loss is midfield playmaker Ryan Watson, who has signed for Tranmere Rovers. His replacement Paul Lewis has moved in the opposite direction. No fewer than five players have signed from Scottish clubs, including full Aaron McGowan, winger Mitch Pinnock and striker Nicke Kabamba. Left-back Joseph Mills and striker Sam Hoskins were influential last season and are signed up against whilst this is the time for young midfield playmaker Scott Pollock to make his mark. Brady will be looking to make further additions before the transfer window closes.

Target

Play-offs. Whether it’s a realistic target remains to be seen and the Cobblers may have to settle for a season of consolidation.