Cobblers boss Sampson happy with striking options
The Cobblers have put their bid to bring in a striker on loan 'on the back burner.'
Town manager Ian Sampson was snubbed by Leeds United's Tom Elliott last week, with the forward opting to join Rotherham United despite being lined up to move to Sixfields.
And Sampson has revealed he has been 'knocked back' in his pursuit of several other new recruits to play up front.
The club parted company with top scorer Adebayo Akinfenwa in the close season, but have bolstered their attacking options with the recruitment of Darlington hot shot Tadhg Purcell, although the Irishman is yet to score in four pre-season outings.
The summer transfer activity has left Sampson with four senior strikers, a number the manager is happy to go into the season with – especially if he lines his team up in the 4-2-3-1 formation that has been used in a number of the side's friendly matches.
"It's not going too well at the moment and we're going to put it on the back burner a little bit," said Sampson, whose team play host to Watford at Sixfields tomorrow (3pm kick-off).
"We've got four here and we've been looking at the system with one up front.
"I'm still searching, but the targets we've had we've been knocked back on. We'll keep searching but it's going to be about getting the right one. I would be happy with starting the season with the players we've
got here at the moment.
"Billy (McKay) and Courtney (Herbert) both have the pace to get in behind and Tadhg (Purcell) and Stevie (Guinan) are more back-to-goal players.
"You need a bit of everything and a bit of a blend in that area and I think we've got that."
Alongside Purcell, Sampson has Billy McKay, Courtney Herbert and Steve Guinan to choose from up front, although Guinan remains available for transfer at Sixfields.
The veteran marksman has started three of the four pre-season friendlies so far, and remains firmly in the manager's thoughts ahead of the big kick-off at Torquay a fortnight tomorrow.
"All of the players are in contention and I can't praise Steve Guinan highly enough," he said.
"He looks after himself ever so well and he's been very bright in training.
"I thought he led the line well against Coventry the other night, it's difficult when you play up front on your own but he's done everything that he needs to do."
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