Encouraging Northampton Town partnership already blossoming in wake of Marc Leonard exit: View | OneFootball

Despite defeat on opening day, have Northampton Town found the combination to lead them to success?

Northampton Town opened their latest League One campaign disappointingly, with an away defeat at Bristol Rovers last Saturday.

Despite the defeat, there were certainly some positives to take from a tough first outing for Jon Brady's side, who went toe-to-toe for the majority of the game against a club who have recruited on a competitive budget this summer.

The Memorial Stadium is not typically a happy hunting ground for Cobblers, but they made a strong start and were the better of the two sides in the first half.

Cobblers, however, tired late on and eventually wilted to Rovers' pressure when Bryant Bilongo headed home a corner in additional time to win the game.

With Jack Sowerby still injured, and Tom Eaves and Matt Dibley-Dias late absentees, opportunities were presented for Cameron McGeehan to make his debut and Callum Morton to start on his Cobblers return.

McGeehan displays creative prowess and an important partnership emerges

After being handed his debut, McGeehan was rarely involved in any midfield skirmishes throughout the game, having the least touches (35) of any outfield player, as Town looked to loop long balls over the Rovers defence.

However, when involved, the creative midfielder, who joined the club after leaving Colchester last month, proved his poise in possession.

While it wasn't to be for Cobblers on this occasion, McGeehan's partnership with striker Morton showed early signs of promise, almost teeing up the striker for two goals, firstly with a neat pass into the area and again with a cushioned header across goal.

Morton and McGeehan's partnership is still in its early stages but could prove crucial for Town with uncertainty surrounding the condition of Eaves, who was a late omission on Saturday, with the side unable to play as directly as they may have wanted in his absence.

McGeehan, himself, is already looking a shrewd addition to Cobblers' midfield options, especially following the departure of Marc Leonard, who rarely had a bad day at the office last season, playing every single league game for Brady.

Cobblers fans should rest assured that they have replaced Leonard with a dependable, productive, creative option in the centre of the park, for as long as McGeehan is fit and available.

Morton showed glimpses of his former self

In an interview with the Chronicle & Echo after re-signing for Northampton, Morton said: "I think I’ve probably played on the left in about 80 percent of games since I left Northampton.

"You’re not going to get the best out of me if you’re not playing me in my natural position, so the manager and I spoke and we felt it should be a good fit."

Due to Eaves' absence, Morton was unexpectedly afforded the opportunity to lead the line again and with that came glimpses of his form that fired Cobblers to play-off glory in the Covid-19 affected 2019-20 play-offs.

Despite not scoring, Morton looked back to his former self, providing Cobblers with an effective outlet with his constant running and pressing, the latter of which almost led to an early lead when Josh Griffith's clearance, blocked by the striker, rebounded just wide of the post.

Morton also provided a threat in behind, which was realised when McGeehan slipped him through, but the striker couldn't quite get a shot off at goal.

That was indicative of Northampton's evening, as a team. Town constantly probed at Rovers' rearguard, but their attacking threat rarely resulted in meaningful chances and efforts on goal, representative of a side lacking match sharpness, perhaps.

Brady will be hoping to get some more minutes and sharpness into his squad as Cobblers face Wycombe Wanderers tonight (August 13th) in the first round of the Carabao Cup.

Quite what the make-up of his XI in that game is, remains to be seen, and he won't want to risk players for the sake of it. However, chipping into these budding partnerships and giving them ample time early in the season to blossom is no bad idea.