GARETH Ainsworth said tomorrow's opponents Northampton Town's struggles this season are proof of how competitive League Two is.

The Cobblers were tipped to do well after making it to a Wembley play off final last year, but instead they find themselves in the relegation zone after losing half their fixtures so far.

Ainsworth is still expecting them to present a tough hurdle to overcome - and is looking for some revenge as Blues endured one of the blackest days of the campaign on their last trip to Sixfields.

A 3-1 defeat saw Wanderers drop to 92nd in the Football League, before a recovery saw them end the season safely in mid table.

Ainsworth said: "We owe them one from last year. We created a lot of chances at Sixfields last year, didn't put them in and ended up losing the game 3-1 and going bottom of the league. We owe them a performance."

Although he admitted to being surprised at Northampton's poor form, he said: "It hits home the fact this league is very competitive. Northampton haven't changed a great deal so to be struggling at the bottom after being in the play offs last year - people will look at it and think why has that happened? I know why it's happened - it's because the league is so competitive. Anyone can beat anyone and Northampton's position proves that, as well as Morecambe and Wimbledon having good seasons at the moment.

"It's the league, not lack of form, so we will have to be on our mettle on Saturday, without a doubt."