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Northampton Town: I won't let it beat me says Sammo

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Published Date: 02 December 2009
Ian Sampson is confident he can turn around the Cobblers' fortunes – and has urged the club's supporters to stand by the team as he attempts to do so.
Town were beaten 3-1 at home by Hereford United last night, with the side booed during and after a truly dreadful display.

The defeat means Northampton are now just six points off the Coca-Cola League Two relegation zone, and getting in the play-offs looks hugely unlikely at this stage.

But Sampson feels he is the man to breathe life into a club which has endured a nightmare 2009.

"Last night was the worst we've played this season, not just under me but under Stuart Gray as well," he said.

"And it was probably worse than we played last season too.

"We got the first goal but that seemed to just drain everything out of us when it should have spurred us on and made us take the game by the scruff of the neck.

"We lacked enthusiasm and we lacked sharpness but I don't think they (the players) weren't trying.

"I don't think that's something I could throw at them.

"They were misplacing passes and when you do that the crowd is going to get at you but you have to block the crowd out and not let it affect you.

"But the players are disappointed with themselves and how they played."

Having played for Northampton for more than a decade – and enduring plenty of bad times during that spell – Sampson knows the Sixfields crowd can be, in his own words, 'unforgiving'.

The criticism from the west stand was fierce on the full-time whistle last night but the manager insists such comments will only make him more determined to succeed.

"They have every right to boo and to say whatever they want to me or the team," he said.

"They are an unforgiving crowd here and I know that as well as anyone.

"But that will just make me more determined to turn things around.

"I have to instill a confidence in the players and maybe change the way we play a little bit.

"I won't let it beat me.

"I've got broad shoulders and a thick skin and criticism will make me stronger."

The home crowd seemed especially angry about a decision to substitute iconic striker Adebayo Akinfenwa off in the 61st minute, but Sampson explained: "He was struggling.

"He's got a bad shin and a bad hamstring and we wouldn't have got any mileage out of keeping him on and getting him injured."

Report – pages 30/31

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  • Last Updated: 02 December 2009 9:55 AM
  • Source: Northampton Chron & Echo
  • Location: Northampton
 
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Robin Smith,

Bedford 02/12/2009 11:49:56
The last three Cobblers' home league games have been two draws against sides now in 17th and 23rd place and a defeat against a side now in 14th place (that was also far worse than the Cobblers last season). Confidence is not the key component of the team's problems nor is the supposedly "unforgiving" crowd. The side is simply not good enough.
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Chicago Cobbler 1,

02/12/2009 16:12:07
Now the ability of the Mnager is defiantly in question. Sampson as signed four defenders since Grays departure and had bemoaned the fact that he had inherited the defence, so what does he say now. 3 of his 4 defensive signings were on the park last night, and the other on the bench.

Lets keep this brief, the performance was Gutlees, shambolic, dreadful, disgraceful to say the very least.
I for one, left when hereford scored there third goal, I consider I had wasted enough of my time and breath, without staying to boo that inept lot of uselss individuals off, who think they are professional footballers.

Relegation looks odd-on
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Pam The Raunds Cobbler,

Raunds 02/12/2009 16:42:37
On the way home I put on the radio and low and behold Ian Atkins was on. He said that the bottom line is that the players just are not good enough. So I ask Mr Cardoza will he invest in this team in the january window If not we are looking at a struggle to get enough points to stay up!!!. Also how many season tickets will be lost if we do not stay up.Remember, we thought we were too good to get relegated last season and here we are in the basement league.If only we had bought Simon Cox we would now be in the Championship..............and no one would have left...there is a moral there Mr Cardoza.
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Frankly Frank,

Northampton 03/12/2009 11:02:31
Pam, a top comment with one exception . . . you say "we thought we were too good to relegated", I say the chairman thought we were too good to get relegated, hence he didn't invest last January. I suspect the same will be true again this January.
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The Idiot Press,

03/12/2009 12:25:19
Perhaps it's time that Mr Cardoza made a decision for the good of the football club and put the club up for sale in the hope we can find a buyer with some cash. It's quite clear that he hasn't now got the financial clout to take the club any further forward.
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