'Don't dismiss any player' - Cobblers already preparing for next season
Preparations for next season have already started, says Colin Calderwood, as Cobblers look to immediately right the wrongs of a wretched League One campaign.
Town prop up the rest of the division following one league win in 23 matches – the equivalent of half a season – and they still have three games to go, starting with Saturday’s trip to Championship-bound Cardiff City.
"You still have to do your best and we'll be professional and very humble,” said Calderwood. “It might not make any difference for this season and it won't have too much impact on us when we come back for pre-season, but this is the start of our preparations for next year. We'll get some boys back from injury at the start of next season and we'll come back fresh. We’re starting for next year now.”
Northampton’s relegation was confirmed by last week’s loss at Luton, with Calderwood adding: "You're always working with that in the back of your mind but what I saw at Luton is what I've seen from pre-season to now in terms of how the players have applied themselves.
"The start is to be competitive and this group of players has far more results in them than they've demonstrated and the talent in the dressing room is way better than this. Don't dismiss all of them or any of them because they're good people.
"They demonstrated what they have and they've shown personality and character and some of their quality. It's just the nature of this league and the opposition we're up against. Hopefully, this experience will never ever be repeated."
Calderwood played the same XI against both Luton and Doncaster, which saw Cameron McGeehan in a slightly deeper midfield role alongside Dean Campbell, and Tyrese Fornah playing off the right with Sam Hoskins supporting Tom Eaves up front.
"We tried a change in the centre of midfield to see if that could help and we have talent in wide areas and some speed in front areas and I think we'll see some other boys involved in the last three games,” continued Calderwood.
"It doesn't matter what division you're in, you have to be more resolute and harder to beat. We did that in the first half and we made some good blocks but it's obviously not enough.”