As Kevin Nolan enters his first full season as manager of the cobblers, it was important that he, and his team, started their summer business early in an attempt to survive relegation from EFL League One for the third year running.
With nine signings through the door already, Nolan and owner Kelvin Thomas have shown early intent to push even further up the table.
This article will look at each player acquired so far, what they will bring to the squad and how they complement Nolan as a manager.
1. Ross Fitzsimons
Starting off with possibly the most questioned and criticised signing of the window so far. Fitzsimons links up with Kevin Nolan for the second time in his career after the pair worked together at Notts County between 2017 and mid-2018.
Despite never playing higher than League Two, the keeper has a host of experience and Nolan is confident that he can make the step up. Off the back of a record-breaking season at Vanarama National league North winners Scunthorpe United, Fitzsimons will aim to compete for the number 1 spot, especially with current question marks surrounding Lee Burge’s place.
Whilst not being a particularly eye-catching signing, there is lots of evidence to recommend that this is a shrewd piece of business from the cobblers. Ross was open once signing about choosing the Cobblers over multiple other offers, highlighting the appealing project Nolan is building.
Elliot’s rating: 6.5/10
2. Conor McCarthy
After the departures of TJ Eyoma, Luke Mbete and Tyler Magloire, Nolan clearly felt this was a position that needed to be improved after last season.
With Jordan Willis and Jack Baldwin seemingly out of favour at Sixfields, Nolan was left with Max Dyche as his only fit option for the start of the season, and it was clear he wanted to bring in some quality as soon as possible. McCarthy is just the first of this process, joining on a free after his release from fellow EFL League One side Barnsley in the summer.
The 6ft 4in centre back joins with a wealth of experience across EFL League One, EFL League Two, Scottish Premiership and the Irish Premier Division. With 20 league appearances last season, Barnsley fans were more than content with his performances whilst filling in for the injured Maul Durand de Gevigney, as well as playing an important role in Darrell Clarke’s back three before his sacking in March.
Nolan commented on Conor’s leadership qualities on and off the pitch, which will come in handy during the lengthy absence of Jon Guthrie (Knee injury), whilst emphasising his brilliant ariel ability which the cobblers lacked at times last season.
Elliot’s rating: 6.5/10
3. Jack Burroughs
The versatile defender joins Nolan’s crew on a 2-year deal from Coventry City. Whilst mainly a right back, Burroughs has lots of experience playing as a left back and left wing back throughout his career. Another one not short of options, which will be another feather added to the cap of Kelvin Thomas (owner) seeing a player with such a good reputation chose the club over other offers.
Despite 11 Scotland youth appearances under his belt, Jack’s club career has never really kicked on, failing to make more than 30 league appearances in a season so far, but the 24 year old will be determined to prove his quality across this season, being an important addition for Nolan as the only senior right back at the club currently.
Elliot’s rating: 7/10
4. Tyreece Fornah
Definitely one of the most ‘eye-catching’ of the nine signings so far from Sixfields, the midfielder, previously of Derby County, joins on a three-year deal. Whilst playing mainly as a defensive midfielder, Nolan has spoken about his ability to play further up the pitch and his outstanding ball carrying abilities showcased during his loan spell with Salford last year, making 43 appearances for the League Two side.
Other previous clubs for Tyreece include Reading, Shrewsbury, Nottingham Forest, Plymouth and Brighton, as well as holding eight Sierra Leone caps so far. Whilst at Derby, Tyreece made 23 appearances in the 2023/2024 side that won promotion to the EFL Championship, showing he is more than capable of playing this level.
At just 25, the 6ft 1in midfielder suits Nolan’s ideal midfield profile of young and physical. In the lengthy absence of Liam Shaw, Fornah will have more than enough time to cement a place in Nolan’s starting 11 before Shaw’s return.
Elliot’s rating: 8.5/10
5. Dean Campbell
After a successful 2 season spell with Barrow in League Two, Campbell turned down an extension at the SO Legal stadium for a move to the midlands.
Making 86 appearances during his time there, Campbell quickly became a fan-favourite in Cumbria due to his silky technical ability partnered with a sensible, experienced head in a 24-year-old body.
As soon as rumours emerged of the club being in for Campbell, fans quickly rushed to making edits, graphics and social media posts for the young man, showing he is admired by many fans at this level. Another physical midfielder brought in by Nolan to help cover the absence of Liam Shaw, bringing lots of experience and maturity to a rather young midfield.
Elliot’s rating: 8/10
6. Jack Perkins
A promising youngster held in high regard at the city ground; Perkins joins the cobblers on an undisclosed fee after spending the majority of his youth career with Forest.
Nolan has already developed a good relationship with Forest after the brilliant development of Ben Perry during his loan spell at the club, which enabled talks to move even smoother between the clubs and make it an appealing place for Jack to go.
On a two-year deal, Perkins comes with a strong desire to compete for his place in the starting XI, telling the media that Nolan is the ‘right man’ to help his career development during his time at the club.
It is expected that Perkins will play as a defensive midfielder predominantly, but he has also played as a number ten at times so remains adaptable for Nolan.
Elliot’s rating: 6.5/10
7. Kamarai Swyer
The young, exciting winger joins from the capital following his contract expiry this season. Kamarai will likely be mentored closely be Michael Jacobs throughout the season, enabling him to get the most out of himself and his time at the club. Held in high pedigree at West Ham, stemming from his energy, creativity and eye for goal which Nolan hopes will allow him to strike fear into opposing defenders this season.
Swyer worked with Nolan during their time at Wrest Ham previously, and Nolan claims to know what makes Kamarai ‘tick’ and how to maximise his performances during his initial two-year contract. Kamarai spent time on loan at Crawley during the 2023/24 season and was nominated for the PL2 player of the month for April this season, contributing to his 18 goal contributions during his standout season in the PL2.
Elliot’s rating: 9/10
8. Michael Jacobs
For the second time in as many years, Town have brought back a former fan-favourite to the club after the loan signing of Callum Morton last year.
Whilst the shoe army will be hoping for a better contribution than Morton brought to the club, it seems Jacobs wasn’t brought in specifically for his on-the-pitch abilities, but more his off-the-pitch qualities. An experienced player who will be brilliant in guiding a young squad, possibly even working on gaining some coaches badges whilst with the club.
Jacobs was recently let go by Chesterfield and Nolan was instantly interested in bringing Jacob’s home after his two-year spell from 2010-2012, making 98 appearances.
Despite the massive change throughout the club since 2012, Jacobs still shows his excitement to be back at a place he can call home, expressing his desire to contribute both on and off the pitch to the club he loves most.
Elliot’s rating: 8/10.
9. Elliott List
List joins the cobblers after a six-year spell at Stevenage, which involves 68 League One appearances and 201 altogether.
Despite not having the best scoring record during this time, Nolan has openly stated that he sees List as more of a winger than the striker some fans expected him to be. List won the Stevenage player of the year during 2021 and turned down an offer from the club to join Nolan at Sixfields.
He suits both of Nolan’s favoured systems with the 4-2-3-1 and the 3-4-3 both suiting his attributes. He will bring a burst of pace to the wings, alongside his alongside his creativity and hard-working attitude, which will be refreshing for the fans to see after struggling to find their ideal ‘flair’ winger in recent times.
Despite lots of criticism from fans, this is the one I think will surprise people the most by the end of the season and looks a very smart pickup by Nolan again.
Elliot’s rating: 9/10
In conclusion, it is clear that Nolan has moved quickly to fill the gaps left by the 14 departures at the end of the season, alongside the seven loanees returning to their parent clubs.
Whilst there is still lots of work for the club to do, it has been a solid start and gives Nolan and his team a foundation to build from. Facing Brackley on Saturday afternoon, Cobblers fans will get their first chance to see the new players in Cobblers colours, as well as some new faces in the form of trialists.
Names such as Joe Wormleighton (Leicester) are Tawanda Chirewa (Wolverhampton Wanderers) are rumoured to be with the squad this week, so could both be involved on Saturday.
