Saints are back in action very quickly after their win against Wrexham as the travel to the Sixfields Stadium to play the Cobblers of Northampton, Will Still will ring the changes, but hopefully not as one of his predecessors did at Gillingham two years ago.
Two years ago Saints travelled to Gillingham in the Carabao Cup and Russell Martin used the occasion to make a statement, he put out a team mainly composed of youngsters and players that he clearly did not want in his squad, playing some of them out of position as in Romain Perraud in the centre of defence, total chaos that in spite of 73% possession saw us 3-0 down just after the hour mark and a game where 3 of the home sides 4 shots on target went in.
Russell Martin revealed his arrogant my way or no way attitude from early doors.
Hopefully Will Still will not operate in this way and although he is expected to make multiple changes from the win against Wrexham, he will use this game to take a step forward in his season and not as Martin did back then, a step backwards.
In this respect he has a big squad with experience and so he can make those changes and still put out a strong side.
He has intimated that he will give game time to both Taylor Harwood-Bellis & Charlie Taylor, it is good to see that they are now ready to return, now the euphoria of that late win against Wrexham has died down, we can look at it in the cold light of day and the stark truth was that at the back we were disorganised and our constant failure to pick up runners meant that Wrexham had 5 or 6 chances that saw them with a clear chance on goal unmarked, on another day we could have been 3 -0 down before half time.
So I would hope that this would be an area that Will Still will be keen to improve and use this game to fine tune his defence.
Elsewhere although he might be a little bit short handed in the centre of the midfield, up front he has an abundance of riches and he will want to get some of those firing on all cylinders.
Whether that is trying to get Adam Armstrong through his lean spell or getting a better look at Ben Brereton Diaz and Damion Downs we will find out this evening.
But we should not underestimate Northampton, they are only a division below us, although they have started badly this season, losing at Wigan on the opening day followed by a 0-0 draw at home to Bradford, they have had two mid table finishes in League One since their promotion from League Two in 2022/23, although it should be said that a poor run at the end of last season, seeing them win just 3 times in the last 14 games, a run which saw them finish a little two close to comfort to the relegation zone than they would have hoped.
All in all they have a squad of solid League One players and that means they could be hard to break down, seasoned professionals with something to prove.
What we don't really know about this tie though is where Will Still sees the Carabao Cup, does he see it as something that can get you into a winning mentality, does he see it as a chance to give his squad players a game, does he see it as a hindrance that will add extra fixtures to a crowded season and therefore a hindrance.
We are still learning about Will and for a while that will continue, hopefully in a positive way this evening.