Northampton Town: I won't let it beat me says Sammo
Ian Sampson is confident he can turn around the Cobblers' fortunes – and has urged the club's supporters to stand by the team as he attempts to do so.
Town were beaten 3-1 at home by Hereford United last night, with the side booed during and after a truly dreadful display.
The defeat means Northampton are now just six points off the Coca-Cola League Two relegation zone, and getting in the play-offs looks hugely unlikely at this stage.
But Sampson feels he is the man to breathe life into a club which has endured a nightmare 2009.
"Last night was the worst we've played this season, not just under me but under Stuart Gray as well," he said.
"And it was probably worse than we played last season too.
"We got the first goal but that seemed to just drain everything out of us when it should have spurred us on and made us take the game by the scruff of the neck.
"We lacked enthusiasm and we lacked sharpness but I don't think they (the players) weren't trying.
"I don't think that's something I could throw at them.
"They were misplacing passes and when you do that the crowd is going to get at you but you have to block the crowd out and not let it affect you.
"But the players are disappointed with themselves and how they played."
Having played for Northampton for more than a decade – and enduring plenty of bad times during that spell – Sampson knows the Sixfields crowd can be, in his own words, 'unforgiving'.
The criticism from the west stand was fierce on the full-time whistle last night but the manager insists such comments will only make him more determined to succeed.
"They have every right to boo and to say whatever they want to me or the team," he said.
"They are an unforgiving crowd here and I know that as well as anyone.
"But that will just make me more determined to turn things around.
"I have to instill a confidence in the players and maybe change the way we play a little bit.
"I won't let it beat me.
"I've got broad shoulders and a thick skin and criticism will make me stronger."
The home crowd seemed especially angry about a decision to substitute iconic striker Adebayo Akinfenwa off in the 61st minute, but Sampson explained: "He was struggling.
"He's got a bad shin and a bad hamstring and we wouldn't have got any mileage out of keeping him on and getting him injured."
Report – pages 30/31
Email to a friend
Print this page- BREAKING NEWS: Tributes paid to Niamh Curry as brave five-year-old loses battle against cancer
- BREAKING NEWS: Pensioner dies after collision at Northampton shopping centre
- Man tied to tree and beaten on Northampton Racecourse
- BREAKING NEWS: Woman’s body found after ‘suicide’ in Northampton hotel room
- BREAKING NEWS: Seven-year-old boy dies following house fire in Northamptonshire
- Staff strike at Northampton school over academy plans forces closure
- Northampton binmen at ‘breaking point’
- Saints’ stadium plans get support as long as traffic issues solved
- Eastern European pupils helping school standards across Northampton
- Exclusive: PM David Cameron says Northamptonshire Police Commissioner role is “a big job for a big local figure”
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Northampton
Saturday 26 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 11 C to 23 C
Wind Speed: 18 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 11 C to 24 C
Wind Speed: 15 mph
Wind direction: East
