Northampton Town: Akinfenwa on staying at Sixfields ‘Whatever happens, happens...’
ADEBAYO AKINFENWA insists he will give his all for the Cobblers cause but is well aware of the speculation regarding his future at the club.
Yesterday Town allowed Paul Turnbull, for whom they paid a fee to Stockport County in the summer, to rejoin the Hatters on loan.
And Akinfenwa has been linked with a move away from Sixfields after finding himself out of the starting line-up, although he was restored to the first 11 for Saturday’s loss to Barnet.
The big striker scored on that occasion and is Town’s leading scorer for the campaign, with nine goals to his name to date.
But as one of the club’s top earners it has been suggested that the club will look to replace him with a player who might feature in the first team on a more regular basis.
Akinfenwa has made no secret of his fondness for a club he rejoined in the summer, but is coy about his immediate future.
“I’m a Northampton player for as long as I’m a Northampton player,” he said. “It is what it is, I always hear speculation and talk about me moving away but whatever happens, happens.
“While I’m here I’ll give my all, people know that and long may that continue.
“The gaffer and I have sat down and spoke on several occasions and he’s got a philosophy of playing football and wants to bring his style of football in.
“We’ve got mutual respect for each other and what is meant to be, will be, and what will happen will happen for a reason.”
Boothroyd made a point of praising Akinfenwa’s commitment in training in the build-up to the Barnet game, and then selected the striker in his team to start the match.
Akinfenwa repaid that faith with a goal after 10 minutes but his overall contribution was not up to the standard of which he is capable, and with a game at Torquay United next up, he may have to settle for a place on the bench again.
That might not sit too comfortably with the former Swansea City man, who says no player should ever be happy about being out of the starting line-up.
“I want to be playing football, I’m 29 and I can’t afford the luxury of sitting on the bench not getting picked,” he said.
“I heard (Jermain) Defoe say the other day that he loves playing football and I think that anyone who says they enjoy sitting on the bench shouldn’t be playing football.
“But when I get the chance I try to take it, I try to give my all and I’m disappointed I didn’t help us get a result.”
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Saturday 26 May 2012
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SteveRiches
Tuesday, January 24, 2012 at 01:41 PMIt's hard to say about a decent bloke but it's been obvious for a long time that he is not good enough for a team needing to quickly counter-attack. I felt Sammo was right to blow him out, and Johnson seriously misguided to bring him back. And, a lot of precious playing budget is tied up on hin.
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