COBBLERS: Furious Sammo 'lost it' with players
Ian Sampson admitted he 'lost it' for the first time as Cobblers manager during the half-time interval of Saturday's draw with Crewe.
And the Town manager said the players owed it to the supporters to get back into the game after going in at the break two goals down.
Crewe were rampant in the first half of the game, and only the performance of goalkeeper Chris Dunn prevented the visitors from being out of sight.
It was a nightmare defensive display that led to the home supporters booing the team from the pitch at the whistle.
And it was also a showing that infuriated Sampson so much that he tore into his players in the dressing room.
"The first 45 minutes was the worst half since I've been the manager here," he said.
"We needed to find some spark from somewhere and everybody was disappointing in that half.
"I think it was the first time I've lost it in the dressing room but they gave me everything in the second half and the spark came from Bayo (Akinfenwa).
"We just couldn't cope with their passing and their movement and they kept the ball really well.
"I think what was said is best left in the dressing room, but it got the right response and they got the message."
A sub-4,000 Sixfields crowd let the players know in no uncertain terms that the first-half display was not good enough, with a chorus of boos on the half-time whistle, and some fierce stick during the opening 45 minutes.
Sampson says the fans are completely entitled to voice their opinions, and is happy to take any criticism aired by any supporter firmly on the chin.
"The players had to give something to the fans in the second half, and to me as the manager, and they did that," he said.
"They kept the ball better and got it into the front man a lot better after that.
"The fans had every right to boo the team and I've got no problem with that, no problem at all.
"They've paid their money and they can say what they want. It's not easy when you're stood on the touchline but you accept it because all supporters have a right to voice their opinion."
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Friday 10 February 2012
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