Chris Hogg's verdict on the current squad - and where Northampton went so wrong last season

Whilst Hogg’s arrival at Sixfields represents a much-needed fresh start, the scars of last season’s remarkable collapse still linger. From sitting comfortably in mid-table at Christmas, Cobblers then won just one in 25 and finished the campaign by losing a club record 12 successive matches.

Hogg attended several matches at Sixfields during 2025/26 and he’s also studied extensive video footage, giving him a clear understanding of the strengths and weaknesses within his new squad.

"The squad will naturally change,” said Hogg. “I watched a lot of games last season so I know a lot about the squad. I was at a few games, scouting teams and watching players, so I've seen quite a bit of the current group.

"There's obviously been a lot of video work as well and I've had a real good assessment of them in difficult moments like last season. I'm pretty clear in what I need to move forward and the good things that we need to build on.

"We have to change the mentality of the players around the running and fighting part of it because that'll unite the fans behind them and give the supporters something to enjoy when they go to Sixfields. It’s a fresh start and it's about building new energy and looking to the future.

"My job is to make sure we have a successful season and that will mean changing players. The retained list has gone out and we'll obviously look to add as best as we can over the summer and we'll have lots of conversations between now and the start of pre-season.

"I'll speak to the staff and to the players and give them a clear picture of what I think and what my thoughts are on them, and it'll also give them a chance to get to know me.”

Asked for his assessment on why the team’s form fell off a cliff in 2026, Hogg said: “I think a big part of last season was the psychological impact of the run that they were on. People sometimes forget that footballers are human beings and you can dehumanise them pretty quickly.

"Looking at it from the outside, it looked really tough mentally and I've been in that position as a player. It's not through a lack of effort or a lack of trying, things happen in a football game and in a season where, whatever you try, it doesn't seem to come off.

"Psychologically, we have to approach next season in new way and a different way and we will address that with the group in pre-season, but I don't want to spend too much talking about last season because it's been and gone and as a club we have to move forward.

"I want to give everyone a new impetus and change the mentality of the boys that were here last season, and then add to that with new signings.”