Curle praises Hoskins' improvement after duo pen new deals

Keith Curle has praised Sam Hoskins' improvement after the versatile forward signed a new two-year deal last week.

The 27-year-old was top scorer for the Cobblers during their promotion-winning campaign in 2018/19, netting 12 goals in all competitions despite regularly playing at wing-back.

"When I first came into the building, Sam Hoskins arguably was not a crowd favourite but I think his performances and how he's accepted the challenges and risen to the challenges this season have been very pleasing," said Curle.

"I think, with Sam, you can play him in five or six different positions. I remember people saying 'what the hell are you doing?' when he played up front as a lone striker at Tranmere, but then he scored two good goals.

"We've played him as an attacking wing-back, a defensive wing-back, on both the left and the right, and we've played him as a natural midfielder and as a number 10.

"That versatility is important but so is the character of the lad because he just wants to be on the team sheet and he has a good understanding of the different roles within the side, which aids his development.

"The pleasing thing is, how he accepts challenges and how he takes on board all the information we give him shows that he's got the credentials to continue his journey here."

Hoskins' new contract was announced a few days after Michael Harriman also committed his future to the club.

"It's the same with Michael," added Curle. "He can play left-back, right-back and even as a holding midfielder or on the right side of a three at the back.

"Every time we give him a job to do, the lad sees it as a challenge and accepts it. People may not value his performance in the final against Exeter but he was up against a very good player in Randall Williams and Michael stuck to his task, rose to the challenge and saw it exactly as that - a personal and a professional challenge and he came out on top.

"They're two players who have very much bought into what we're trying to create at the club. Their personalities suit perfectly with us and I think they've both come on a journey."