Buchanan defends Curle's style of play and backs current Cobblers squad to reach League One

Cobblers' former long-serving left-back David Buchanan believes the club's current class is good enough to reach League One and anything short of the play-offs would represent a 'disappointing' season.

The defender is familiar with the workings of current Town boss Keith Curle having spent the majority of last season playing under him before being released in the summer, subsequently signing for non-league Chesterfield.

Buchanan openly admits he was unhappy to have been let go, particularly as he wasn't given the opportunity to say a proper farewell to supporters, but nonetheless he doesn't have any ill-feelings towards Curle.

"Keith was good to work under and I didn't have any problems with him," said the 33-year-old.

"I've said before that the way I left the club under Keith was disappointing but you can't argue with how they're doing at the moment because they're in the play-offs.

"But, for me, the play-offs should be the minimum for that squad of players because it's a very strong squad with a lot of experience and a lot of good players.

"You look at Nicky Adams, Alan McCormack, Chris Lines, Charlie Goode to name a few, it's a very competitive squad for that league so play-offs should be the minimum.

"I think most Cobblers fans would think they should be challenging for automatics, if not the play-offs."

Town were seventh in Sky Bet League Two when English football was suspended last month but despite a generally successful season up to that point, not all fans have been convinced that Curle is the right man for the job.

Some have expressed reservations over his style of football, though Buchanan is not one.

"There's a lot of talk about the style of play under Keith and I've played in it, but it's all about winning football matches and it doesn't really matter how you play," he added.

"There's no doubt that Cobblers are now a direct team and predominantly they don't play through midfield. They go up to the strikers and play off the second ball but I'm not saying that's terrible and they shouldn't play that way.

"You don't have to be a passing team like Plymouth or Swindon who play out from the back, it's about winning games and Keith has got his team in the play-offs playing his way.

"Is he right the manager going forward for the club? I'm the wrong person to ask but if he doesn't get Cobblers into the play-offs, then I think that would be disappointing.

"He knows himself that he needs and wants a promotion. He used to say that to us as players and it's true but there's no doubt he's made progress with the club.

"He's implemented his style on the dressing room and he's got a way of doing things. He runs a strict ship."