Hogg 'very clear' on what business Cobblers need to do
Chris Hogg says he is ‘very clear’ in his mind as to the business Cobblers still need to do between now and the end of the transfer window.
Hogg strengthened his squad with the additions of Connor Lemonheigh-Evans and Matty Warhurst last week, taking the total number of incomings to seven for the summer, but more work is needed.
Cobblers were without five members of their first-team squad for Saturday’s friendly against Birmingham City, leaving them somewhat light on the bench. Not including trialist Grant Ward and several youngsters, Town just had five senior players available as subs, and Hogg was asked afterwards if that reinforced to him the need for more bodies.
“No,” he replied. “I’m already pretty clear on where we are and what we need. Discussions are always ongoing on that front and we had boys on the pitch who went out there and tried to perform and do their best.
“The boys that came off the bench tried to impact the game as well but I am very clear of where we are at and it’s just about what we can do in the coming weeks to help what we’ve already got.”
Birmingham manager Chris Davies spoke about his frustration with the slowness of the transfer market following Saturday’s game, a sentiment shared by Hogg. The extended World Cup has not helped matters. particularly when it comes to the loan market, but things should start to accelerate as the new season nears.
Cobblers‘ main focus is on beefing up their forward line, with at least two more attack-minded players sought after, but Hogg is also looking at bringing in a central midfielder - Ward remains on trial - and potentially another defender. Some of that, however, may depend on outgoings, if there are any.
"I think you can see the market starting to pick up,” Hogg added. “It’s only two weeks now until the season starts and naturally, as we get closer to that first game, movement does start to happen and there's definitely things happening and things moving.
"But my message has always been the same, we have to be in a position where we're able to move and we're able to put things into place where we can make a decision and be ready to act if something does come up.”