Curle prepared to tinker with his team as Cobblers look to get back on track

Ryan Watson and Paul Anderson were left out of the side against Swindon while Andy Williams returned to the starting line-up. Will they be involved at Walsall? Picture: Pete Norton

Curle made three changes between games against Port Vale and Swindon earlier in the week, recalling Jordan Turnbull, Chris Lines and Andy Williams in place of Ryan Watson, Paul Anderson and Callum Morton.

But whatever his logic behind those alterations they failed to have the necessary impact as Cobblers were beaten 1-0 for the second straight home game.

That means Town head to Walsall tomorrow in need of a positive result to steady the ship and Curle will not hesitate if he feels the need to make further changes.

"I think it's a fantastic dilemma to have when good players are available," he said. "The pleasing fact is that we have a very competitive squad and if I need to make changes, I can make changes.

"If people earn the right to get in the team, there's places available if people don't perform. Likewise, people in the team know they have to keep performing because we've got players not even in the 18 that want to play and want to be a part of it.

"We've got the ability to change personnel without changing the dynamics of how we want to play and the focus we want to play and that's important."

With Jordan Turnbull back fit and several other men close to returning, Curle certainly has plenty of options to pick from.

"It won't be long before Harry Smith is back available and that's same with James Olayinka and Alan McCormack, and they will also add different dynamics to the group," Curle added.

"We're going in the right direction. We signed a lot of players in the summer and that was part of the foundation we're trying to put down.

"There's still room for improvement from the players we've brought in and we've also brought in some more loan players and that's added to the DNA and the culture we're creating.

"It'll take them a little bit of time to buy into it but we've brought in good players and competition is very healthy. We haven't diluted the drive, the strength of character, the ability and the willingness to improve and all of those qualities are in the changing room."