Cobblers boss Boothroyd backing Bayo to get back on the goal trail

Powerful striker Akinfenwa has scored 14 times during the current campaign but has failed to notch in his past six games, a barren run that stretches back to the first week of December and the opening goal in the 3-2 Sixfields defeat to Cheltenham.

But Boothroyd is confident the forward will soon be back among the goals, and feels confident players elsewhere in the team can continue contributing to the side’s scoring tally.

“No player can be fantastic all the time and this is why I’m keep to make the statements that I have been making about how you can never rely on one man,” he said.

“When you do that, then if that person is stopped or loses form or gets injured or suspended then everyone is looking around to see who will step into that role.

“We’ve got a lot of players in the team now that are capable of stepping up and being leaders so I’m not too worried about that.

“B (Akinfenwa) has proved in the past that he can come back and come back stronger and score lots of goals again.”

Boothroyd saw his striking options reduced dramatically in October when Alex Nicholls - who was the club’s leading goalscorer at the time - suffered a broken leg that ended his season.

The front line is the area that is most likely to be strengthened during the January transfer window, although Boothroyd is content with the options he has in that area - for the time being.

“There are a few options, although not too many mind,” he said.

“I have the players to make little adjustments and maybe change the system around a little bit and that is something that we have done so far and that we need to now.

“Teams have got wary of us and they have learned about us. We are the same with the teams we are playing and all teams are always looking at ways of improving and evolving.”

The Cobblers are scheduled to play Burton Albion at Sixfields this afternoon (ko 3pm), and supporters have been asked to get to Sixfields this morning to help clear the snow off the pitch.

The club is confident the pitch is playable under the snow and covers.