Cobblers players accept a share of the blame for Kevin Nolan's downfall
Midfielders Dean Campbell and Terry Taylor have both accepted their part in Kevin Nolan’s undoing as Northampton manager, admitting they ‘could have done more’ for their former boss.
Campbell and Taylor were regulars under Nolan as the team won just once in 16 league games between Christmas and March, culminating in a change in the dugout last week.
"There’s obviously acceptance on our behalf that we let someone down,” said Campbell after Saturday’s loss to Burton. “We all look at ourselves and feel we could have done more to save the manager’s job, but we have to try and stick together to salvage something.
"It’s difficult to be in this situation but we all have a purpose for playing football and there’s still stuff to play for – we have to fight for everything and we’re disappointed it didn’t come out on show today.”
Taylor added: "It’s never easy when someone loses their job. We take that on ourselves as players. I’ve felt it personally and I’m sure the group have as well because we let him down.
"We’re not driving the standards that we hope to set, and that we have done this season, and it is a strange time, but we all have to get together and keep fighting.”
There has been some suggestion – largely on social media – that a lack of effort has contributed to Town’s poor run of results, but Campbell insists that is not the case.
“You look at the run of defeats and it’s not acceptable and as professionals we don’t accept it,” he said. “It’s tough. That’s the only way to put it.
"But we are trying. Obviously we’re disappointed but it’s definitely not for a lack of trying and we have a group here who will work hard. Our quality might have let us down at times but we will work hard and no one will chuck the towel in.
“We had conversations all week about how we need to get going and how we need something to change but unfortunately it’s a similar story.
"I felt we had an element of control but it didn’t lead to enough chances, and even when we did get chances, we weren’t clinical. It’s only natural that there will be a lack of confidence but we’ve tried to keep spirits high and we’re really trying to stick together.
"Sometimes we make the wrong choice and that can be down to a lack of confidence, but there are nine games left and we have to keep fighting.”
Calderwood also praised his players for their effort, saying: "It wasn't as exciting as anyone would want but I have to applaud the boys for their bravery in moments. They are absolutely trying.”