NORTHAMPTON Town will provide us with a different kind of challenge this weekend and it’s one we’re going to have to stand up to.

On the opening day of the season, John Sheridan’s Plymouth side had a passing style we were able to deal with and Hartlepool came at us with a young, attacking style on a big pitch which we were able to combat last weekend.

I’m expecting Northampton to be more of a physical encounter and they will certainly be hard to play against because any team managed by Aidy Boothroyd always is.

I watched his team on the final day of last season and really felt for him when they were 3-0 down to Bradford City inside the opening 29 minutes of the play-off final.

But I certainly won’t be feeling for him on Saturday and I want us to build on the promising start we’ve made.

Winning at Hartlepool in the manner we did, with 10 men for the whole second half, was very pleasing.

And it’s great that Barry Corr’s red card in that game has now been overturned.

It’s important that we maintain competition for places and with Barry still being available we definitely have that.

On Monday morning, I was talking to Craig Reid about the dismissal and how bad the decision was.

I mentioned I wanted it to be overturned but, with Craig wanting to get in to the team, he said that wouldn’t do him any favours.

That underlines the competition for places I’m talking about and it’s what we need.

Strikers need an edge to their game, they need an extra five per cent if they are to get among the goals and I think that five per cent only comes from people pushing for their place in the team.

KEVAN HURST IS BACK

KEVAN Hurst has been back in full training this week and I wouldn’t rule him out of being involved with the squad for the Northampton game.

The knee injury he picked up has lasted longer than we expected and he’s been more frustrated than anyone else about that.

But he’s nearing a return now and that’s very good news.

Julian Bennett has now also had his operation on the knee injury and the surgeon said it had been a success.

He will now be starting his rehab and I’ll be making sure the squad rally round. It’s important we all keep him involved and make sure we aid his recovery by keeping him involved.

ADAM THOMPSON HAS SUPER ATTITUDE

SINCE my last column we’ve brought defender Adam Thompson to the club on loan from Watford and I’m delighted to have him here.

He was in Northern Ireland’s under-21 squad for their game at Denmark yesterday and before leaving he asked me what time training was on Thursday morning.

I wasn’t expect him to be in but he assured me he would be there by 9.30am ready to train ahead of Saturday’s game.

That again showed what a fantastic attitude the lad has and he will be pushing Mark Phillips and Luke Prosser very hard indeed for a place in our defence.

FULL COLUMN IN THURSDAY'S ECHO