EXCLUSIVE: Northampton ace O’Toole eyes United upset

Pete O'Rourke

John-Joe O'Toole: Fired up for live TV clash

Northampton Town midfielder John-Joe O’Toole has told www.teamtalk.com all the players are relishing the chance of adding to Manchester United’s problems in their EFL Cup third-round clash.

Jose Mourinho’s side travel to League One Northampton off the back of three straight defeats and defeat at Sixfields would be unthinkable for the Portuguese manager.

Irish midfielder O’Toole, who is a cult figure for Northampton fans, because of his long hair and headband, expects many of his team-mates to be out to impress in front of the live TV cameras by getting haircuts for their big moment in the limelight, but he insists that will not distract Northampton from the job at hand.

“With the game being on TV it has added a bit of extra pressure and I am sure some of the lads will be getting new haircuts as everyone will be watching the game,” joked O’Toole.

“It is a great opportunity for us players to come up against world class players like United have and it would be nice to do well in front of a TV audience.

“No one expects us to turn over United, but we have nothing to lose. It will be obviously be a hard game and we want to come out of it with some credit. We don’t want to get battered, we want to ask some questions of them on the night and we have got to go and give it our best shot.

“It is a big occasion for everyone associated with the club and the fans are looking forward to it as well as everyone at the club.

“It has been a decent little run to get to this game beating Barnsley and then getting through against West Brom, but United will be an even bigger test.”

 

History against Northampton

Jose Mourinho: Manager wants intimidating home ground

Northampton have never beaten Manchester United in their history, but the last time the Cobblers reached round three of the League Cup they famously knocked out Liverpool on penalties in 2010 and O’Toole believes they can take heart from United’s dip in form and the fact that they have been eliminated from the League Cup by lower league opposition in each of the last two seasons (MK Dons and Middlesbrough).

“They have not had the best of starts to the seasons losing their last three games and I am not sure what team they will put out against us, but whoever they play it will not be a weak side.

“I am sure their will be some big players playing and it will be great to test yourself against them.

“I don’t think they will take the game lightly and there is silverware at stake so it is not to be overlooked.”