Gray: We only planned to give Adebayo 45 minutes!
Northampton Town boss Stuart Gray revealed he had only planned to keep Adebayo Akinfenwa on the pitch for 45 minutes of the 4-2 opening-day victory over Cheltenham Town.
The big frontman struggled with injuries during the close season, but Gray backed him to lead the Cobblers front line and the big striker responded with two second-half penalties.
"Bayo had a very eventful afternoon," said Gray. "He is a big player for us and the pleasing thing is that we got 75 minutes out of him when we'd only planned to get about 45.
"Leon Constantine did well, I brought him in to play alongside Bayo and although he was probably disappointed not to score one of his three one-on-ones he got himself into good positions."
Gray felt that the Cobblers started a little nervously, but picked up as the game progressed.
"We finished ninth last season and I think I have improved the squad over the summer," he added. "Not being disrespectful to the players that have left but I think I have brought in better players to replace them.
"We might struggle a little bit when suspensions kick in and we've seen already that referees are going to clamp down on any little confrontations and so what we can't afford is to lose players to silly bookings."
Spot-on Akinfenwa strikes as Cheltenham sunk - click hereCobblers put second lot of Dons tickets on sale - click here
Cobblers loan star Jones may leave Wolves on loan again - click here
FanZone: Bayo awesome, now win at Millwall and MK Dons - click here
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Thursday 24 May 2012
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