Brady backing Town's 'top-class' groundsman to 'sort' their pitch issues

Caretaker boss Jon Brady is hoping Town's 'top-class' groundsman Paul Knowles can work his magic and get their home pitch back to a 'good state' to aid the type of football he wants to implement.

The playing surface at the PTS Academy Stadium has not been up to its usual high standard this season due to events largely out of the club's control.

As CEO James Whiting explained recently, the pitch required a 'full renovation' last summer but there was not enough time between seasons to carry out the work due to COVID and Town's play-off campaign.

Former manager Keith Curle also regularly led training sessions at the ground and he admitted himself that he was reluctant to play a certain way at home due to the 'bobbly' and 'uneven' nature of the surface.

Cobblers produced some pleasing-on-the-eye football at Ipswich Town in midweek and Brady hopes the state of the PTS pitch can be improved so they are able to play the same way at home.

"We went toe-to-toe with them football-wise and one reason for why we did that was that we played on a top class pitch," he said.

"I know Paul Knowles and he's a top class groundsman. If he can get ours sorted back to a good state, we can do exactly that at home as well.

"I've known Knowlesy for 20 years and he used to do another ground when we worked together there - I won't mention the team's name! - and he's probably one of the best groundsmen about.

"I've been to a lot of grounds in my time and he's one of the best I've come across in my opinion so he will get it sorted for us."

Town created the better chances at Portman Road but could not make them count as their goal drought continued.

"What happens sometimes is that you start snatching and grabbing at chances and that's why you hook and slice them wide," Brady added.

"We're building from back to front and now we're getting more entries in the final third and we're putting in more crosses and we're taking more shots.

"It will come. We believe in them and we have good finishers so it will come."