Page '˜will not accept' poor performances after fourth straight draw

Cobblers boss Rob Page says he will '˜not accept' elements of his side's '˜poor performance' against AFC Wimbledon on Saturday afternoon.
Rob Page and Paul Wilkinson. Picture by Sharon LuceyRob Page and Paul Wilkinson. Picture by Sharon Lucey
Rob Page and Paul Wilkinson. Picture by Sharon Lucey

Northampton were held to a goalless draw for the second time in four days as again they struggled to create much in the way of genuine goalscoring chances.

Kenji Gorre came closest but after his 10th minute effort was saved, former Cobblers goalkeeper Ryan Clarke was untroubled.

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“It was a poor performance and the only positives we can take out of it are a clean sheet and a point added,” said Page afterwards.

“In my opinion, in the two home games we’ve had, we should have four points more if we’re more clinical with our chances.

“Defensively we’re sorted and well-organised but at the other end of the pitch we’re falling below standards.

“For the first 15 minutes we started brightly, created enough chances and could have been a goal up but if you don’t finish your chances it’s a battle against a team who are well-organised and outplayed us at times and we can’t accept that.

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“We’re just maybe missing another option up top which we’re working really, really hard to get in.”

Page opted to revert to a two-man attack in the form of Marc Richards and Alex Revell but it was a gamble that backfired as both failed to have the desired impact.

Page added: “I threw Rico in the deep end today because he’s not been able to train after taking a knock on Tuesday.

“When you see those two in the team sheet there’s goals and Revell’s work-rate is phenomenal and I think there’s definitely goals in them.

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People say they’re too similar but they’ve proven they’re a handful for anybody.

“I wanted to be positive and go with two out-and-out strikers. There were some big performances today but only with half the team and you can’t carry 50 per cent of the team who were off their game for whatever reason.”