Brady admits busy schedule has 'taken its toll' on Cobblers

Cobblers manager Jon Brady admits the hectic schedule may have 'taken its toll' on some of his players ahead of this weekend's trip to Doncaster Rovers.

Town have played a Tuesday fixture every week since mid-January and tomorrow's game at the Keepmoat will be their 12th in the space of 37 days.

Brady agreed with those who felt Cobblers looked a little leggy during Tuesday's defeat at Charlton, but he was quick to point out the increased workload his players have got through since taking charge.

"I do agree," he said. "But the output and efficiency from the players on the GPS has gone up by about 33 per cent across the board since we came in.

"When you're playing Saturday, Tuesday, Saturday, Tuesday for a long period, not everyone is going to maintain that level, especially as that level was such a high output. Sometimes, as a player, you still feel like you're at it but your sharpness won't be there.

"Our efficiency has increased by 33 per cent per player in each match and the tempo of our play is so much higher than it was previously so these players have gone up four or five notches.

"I feel that will take its toll but we can't let that be an excuse. We want to play at a high tempo and we want to press teams and when we're on the ball, we want to play with speed.

"All of those things are considered but we know, at times, it's hard to maintain those consistency levels - but we've got to try and be consistent."