Hodgson gives Wijnhard chance to stake his claim

Wijnhard will be Hodgson's chosen one at the Sixfields Stadium, entrusted with breathing new life into a team which has lost its way in recent weeks.

Wijnhard has been somewhat of an enigma since joining the club a year ago today. Scoring four goals in his first five games - on as a pay-as-you-play basis - Wijnhard's immediate impact justified Hodgson's decision to award the 31-year-old a deal until the end of the season.

However, the former Leeds United striker failed to build on his impressive start and it was only after being hauled off after just 31 minutes at Leyton Orient in February, that Wijnhard responded with six goals in his last seven games of the season.

Despite forming a good understanding with new strike partner Simon Johnson during pre-season, the pair have yet to hit it off in League Two.

Wijnhard's only goal of the season came on the opening day at Rushden, while Johnson has so far failed to make the impact many had anticipated. Ironically, it was against Orient in August that Wijnhard was withdrawn at half-time after an ineffective 45 minutes.

While Hodgson remained patient with Johnson, the same approach didn't apply to Wijnhard, who was dropped after the Carling Cup defeat at Hartlepool.

In the seven games Wijnhard has been out of the starting XI, Hodgson hopes the Dutchman has had enough time to reflect on the weaknesses which have cost him his place in the side.

"What I don't want Clyde to do is to go back to that stupid mould, where he loses the ball and doesn't work to get it back," said Hodgson.

"This is a very big season for Clyde and he needs to start performing. He has the choice to go one way or the other. If he doesn't perform, where will he go at the end of the season? If he works hard and does well he has at least another season in him.

"We all know he has the ability, which has been the frustrated thing, and now he needs to start demonstrating that talent."

Wijnhard's return gives Hodgson a number of options to consider, with either Guylain Ndumbu-Nsungu or Johnson likely to make way.

The Quakers' boss is considering a place for Johnson in midfield, while Wijnhard could be used as a lone striker, with Ndumbu-Nsungu dropping to the bench.

"Clyde will have a very specific role at Northampton and it will be one somebody with plenty of experience should be able to deal with," said Hodgson. "He will only deal with it if he is prepared to work for it though.

"If Clyde can't put the effort in then what we want will break down."

Wijnhard missed last week's defeat at Bristol Rovers with a calf injury as Hodgson went with a three-man attack at the Memorial Ground.

However, Hodgson will be taking a more cautious approach this afternoon.

"We want a clean sheet first and foremost," said Hodgson. "Anything more than that we will take as a bonus.

"When you're not scoring goals, like we're not at the moment, you have to be sensible.

"We have to keep it tight at the back and if we don't concede then the worst we can get is a point.

"We've got to build on the clean sheet we kept against Boston, even though we didn't get the result we wanted."

It was only after Wijnhard's second-half introduction that Darlington looked like scoring on Tuesday night, with both Johnson and Ndumbu-Nsungu posing little threat.

"If all of our strikers were on-song like they were three weeks ago we'd have annihilated Boston," added Hodgson, who was also quick to lament Boston's defensive approach in midweek, which cost his side two points.

"We're going to try to do to teams what they have done to us this season," said Hodgson. "Everybody was frustrated against Boston because they came with a game plan and went away with the point they wanted. We will go to Northampton with our own game plan and if we can retain the ball, keeping them under the cosh, we will come away with at least a point."

New Zealand international Adrian Webster is standing by for his first start since the opening day draw at Rushden.

Webster could take Joey Hutchinson's place in midfield, with the defender expected to resume his place in the back four. Shelton Martis could miss out with an ankle problem.

DAVID HODGSON has vowed not to tolerate players bringing the club into disrepute after Joey Hutchinson was fined a week's wages for making a gesture towards Darlington fans at the end of Tuesday's goalless draw with Boston United.

Hodgson has condemned the incident and has warned Hutchinson over his future conduct. "Everyone of my players is a professional sportsman and they have a duty to go out and represent the football club," said Hodgson.

"If we play poorly then the players have to accept criticism from the fans and everything that goes with it. They have to accept it without making any kind of comment or rude gesture back to the fans.

"Whether Joey was provoked or not, he was wearing a Darlington shirt and he has to be punished. The only way Joey can answer back is by winning football games.

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