Manager John Sheridan promises fighting display from Plymouth Argyle in away game against Northampton

MANAGER John Sheridan knows Plymouth Argyle must upset the formbook when they play Northampton Town at Sixfields Stadium tomorrow (3pm).

Sixth-placed Northampton are odds-on favourites to win after a good run of recent results has propelled them towards the top of the League Two table.

Argyle, meanwhile, are in a lowly 22nd position and only above the two clubs in the relegation zone – Barnet and AFC Wimbledon – on goal difference.

Northampton have the second best home record in the league with 11 wins, two draws and three defeats from 16 games.

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The Cobblers have tasted victory in their last five matches at Sixfields Stadium, most recently a 3-1 defeat of Rochdale on February 9.

They also share the best defensive home record in League Two with Capital One Cup finalists Bradford City, with both conceding only 14 goals.

Sheridan knows the odds are stacked against his side but promised they would be well prepared for the task.

He said: "It's going to be tough. I know how Northampton play and we have been working on what their threats are.

"They do the ugly things, and do them really well. That's why they are up near the top, but we are going to fight to get something out of the game.

"Northampton have won their last five at home but we won our last away game (2-1 at Aldershot Town on February 9). That's what I will look at."

Two points cover the bottom five clubs in League Two but Sheridan believes all the teams up to York City in 17th are still under threat from relegation.

Argyle had been unbeaten in four matches under Sheridan's management until they lost 1-0 to Oxford United at Home Park last Saturday.

Sheridan said: "There are eight teams who I feel are going to be in the fight to avoid relegation. In the last five games we have got the best defensive record out of all of them.

"At the same time we have only scored four goals. If you are going to win football matches you need to score goals.

"I think our performances have got to be more positive and we have got to believe we are going to create problems for the opposition.

"That's something I have got to look at. Whether I have to pick a different formation when we play at home, I will do that.

"Whatever I think I have to do to get a positive result, I will do it."

For the time being, though, Argyle have back-to-back away games to concentrate on, with the trip to Northampton followed by a crunch clash at bottom-of-the-table Wimbledon next Tuesday.

Sheridan said: "We have got two tough away games now, against teams who are going to be in your face and try to upset you, and force you on the back foot.

"We have got to believe we can get something from both games."

He added: "I have had a meeting with the players and I want them to be brave. I would rather see them do the right things, and be confident of doing the right things, than not trying it at all.

"I wasn't happy at all with the style of the performance last week (against Oxford) and I know we can do a lot better.

"We will go to Northampton and we will have a go. Hopefully, we will get something."