Northampton boss Kevin Nolan hopes victory over rivals Peterborough in the Nene derby can be a “season change” for his struggling side.
The Cobblers host Posh on Saturday (12:30 GMT) to avenge their 2-1 defeat in December’s reverse fixture and seek three points that could lift them out of the League One relegation zone.
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“Hopefully this gets our season back on track. Fans love derbies because it gives you bragging rights about everything going forward,” Nolan said.
“I’m really looking forward to it and hopefully it will change the season. We all know it’s going to be a difficult season and we have to change that by winning games. Winning games is the most important thing.”
Northampton are 22nd in the table after losing at home to bottom club Port Vale on Tuesday.
They are winless in four games and have lost their last three, but are within striking distance of the teams that rank them just outside the relegation zone.
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Nolan said the atmosphere in the camp was “very good” and they had to “continue to believe”.
“I’ve been in these situations before and I’m looking forward to what the future holds. As a manager and as a player you have to have a thick skin and you have to be able to deal with these pressure moments. These lads are going to step up and fight,” he told BBC Radio Northampton.
“When the going gets tough, it’s easy to get up and walk, but that’s not what I do, I walk into the fire and I don’t leave it.”
Peterborough boss Luke Williams is targeting a double over the Cobblers as his side continue their bid for a surprise play-off spot.
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When the former Swansea City boss arrived in October, Posh were bottom of the league, five points adrift of safety. They are now in 12th place, seven points behind the top six.
Williams told BBC Radio Cambridgeshire: “We’re really excited about the game and we know it’s going to be a good atmosphere. It’s really important for us because we want to give our fans that lovely feeling, so we can’t wait.”
“It doesn’t matter if you’re top, middle or bottom because there’s always something extra about derby games. I don’t think the league position and current form have that much of an impact on this game, it’s more about how you approach it on the day.
“You have to give everything on the pitch to get results so you can enjoy the spoils.”
