Brady heaps praise on 'inspirational' Jones and hails 'fantastic' spirit among Cobblers players

Cobblers boss Jon Brady has heaped praise on Lloyd Jones' 'maturity' and 'leadership' after the centre-back was given the captain's armband for the first time last week.

With Cian Bolger and Alan Sheehan not currently in the team, and Joseph Mills also struggling with injury, responsibility to lead the team on the pitch has partly fallen on the shoulders of Jones.

The 25-year-old only joined the club two months ago but has played every minute of all 16 league games since then and is now one of the first names on the team sheet.

The former Liverpool youngster was integral to another clean sheet at Doncaster Rovers on Saturday, Town’s seventh from those 16 games with him in the team. In contrast, they managed only two in the previous 19.

And Jones was rewarded for his fine form with the captain’s armband at Charlton Athletic last week.

“He’s shown real maturity,” said Brady. “And when you’re a young centre-half, you have to show that maturity.

“I feel, especially now we’ve gone to a back four, he’s been decisive in his decision-making and he’s been a leader within the group and that’s why he was rewarded with the captain’s armband when Millsy was out.

“He’s quite an inspirational young guy as well and I feel we’re very lucky to have him with us at Northampton Town.”

Brady has also hailed the 'fantastic team spirit' between all of his players after their recent upturn in form.

Cobblers remain in the relegation zone but have given themselves every chance of escaping, especially after a favourable set of results on Tuesday evening.

Just three points separate the bottom six, and Brady believes his side’s team spirit and work ethic will stand them in good stead for the run-in.

“I think people can see that every single player is working so hard for each other and for our cause and rightly so,” he said. “Even the players on the sidelines are doing their bit.

“It’s very pleasing to see that from everybody because you’re only as good as the players who aren’t in the team because they’re the ones pushing those that are in the team to stay in the team.

“But those on the sidelines, Cian Bolger and Alan Sheehan, who have been a bit on the periphery but have been there and done it, are the ones who are really helping to drive this group.

"The team spirit we have here has been fantastic."