Yesterday started off with Derby County chairman Tom Glick stating that he was confident that Derby could agree a deal with Northampton for talented midfielder Michael Jacobs without going to tribunal.

By mid-afternoon this proven to be the case as Derby County and Northampton Town agreed a fee for young Jacobs. He is now expected to sign on Tuesday after spending Monday having a medical and discussing personal terms with regards to a move to Pride Park.

The fee of course will remain undisclosed as it is so often nowadays in football but the local press believe it will not eclipse the £525,000 Blackburn Rovers paid for Mark Bunn a couple of seasons ago.

I for one am glad this saga is going to be ended this week as Aidy Boothroyd can now get on with planning for next season. I think he will be given a moderate amount of the final fee for Jacobs to strengthen the team, but I do not expect him to get it all as a lot was spent last season by ex manager Gary Johnson. We also had the expense of sacking him so David Cardoza will definitely be shrewd with the cash coming into the club.

I am pleased Michael is going to join Derby County as they have a great reputation for bringing on young talent and with Nigel Clough as their manager I am sure he has a lot to offer young Michael experience wise. I also see him starting more games for Derby rather than being left to rot in reserve team football. On behalf of all Cobblers fans I would like to wish Michael all the best on his move to Derby and we look forward to seeing him play against us in a pre-season friendly at Sixfields in July when we can give him a proper send off.

The club also announced this week that the team will be spending a week in Croatia as part of their pre season training schedule which will do the players good to get away on neutral turf to build up their fitness for the new season.

Aidy Boothroyd has also said this week that we may not sign Clarke Carlisle for next season, he has been made a good offer by the club by all accounts but he is also taking into account that Clarke lives in Halifax and has young family and may not see uprooting his family to start a new life in Northampton as ideal. I personally hope he does sign for us but if he doesn't I would just like to thank him for last season in playing an important role in our fight for football league survival and I am sure many fans would go along with me on that point.

You can tell the season is getting closer as in the last week the club has unveiled its new kit for next season the home kit as usual is a claret shirt which as always looks good. As for the away shirt its bright green, something like a goalkeeper shirt, with the sleeves cut. I believe I am in the minority when I say I really like the strip and I think it is going to dazzle a few opposition defenders this coming season. I can also see no excuses being given for not being able to pick each other out away from home so hopefully no more mis-placed passes.

Now the wait begins, the Euro's are now over with England being knocked out on penalties, so the excitement now turns to the new season and new players we are going to see wear our famous claret shirt hopefully with pride and 100% commitment so lets hope the next month and a bit doesn't drag too long!

Up The Cobblers!!

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