Nolan Critiques EFL for Scheduling ‘Sloppy’ Away Games

Jon Nolan, manager of **Northampton Town**, expressed his frustration with the **English Football League (EFL)** over what he described as a “sloppy” scheduling decision. His comments follow a series of away games that his team will face during the festive period, echoing a similar situation from the previous season.

The team has already completed a round trip to **Burton Albion** on **Boxing Day** and is set to travel to **Huddersfield Town** shortly thereafter. After hosting **Stockport County** at home on **January 1, 2024**, they will embark on a six-hour journey to confront **Bolton Wanderers** for a lunchtime match on **January 7, 2024**.

Nolan voiced his concerns about the pattern of away games, stating, “I don’t understand why the league has done it this way again. We were away three out of the four games after Christmas last year and it’s the same this season.” He highlighted that such scheduling is particularly challenging for a club like **Northampton**, which has fewer resources compared to larger teams.

The manager pointed out that the burden of travel and accommodation significantly impacts his squad, especially during a busy period. He lamented the inequity in scheduling, noting that other clubs, such as **Huddersfield** and **Bolton**, have benefitted from more favorable home matches during the holiday season.

Nolan commented, “It’s like they’ve just gone ‘have the same again’ and that’s really poor because for a club like us, with the resources we have compared to others, it takes a lot in terms of having to stay overnight.” He emphasized his disappointment in the EFL’s scheduling decisions, suggesting that if one season is heavily skewed towards away games, the following season should balance it out.

Despite his frustrations, Nolan remains focused on his team’s performance. He stated, “I’m looking forward to getting back home to **Sixfields** on New Year’s Day and hopefully putting some points on the board.” As **Northampton** prepares for the upcoming matches, the team will need to navigate the challenges posed by their demanding travel schedule while aiming for a successful start to the new year.