Eaves: Cobblers players 'really want to do well' for Nolan
Tom Eaves says he and his team-mates are all determined to do well for Kevin Nolan after Cobblers relieved the pressure with victory over Stevenage.
Nolan was facing the heat after nine league games without a win, but his side showed plenty of grit and resolve to edge past Stevenage in a tight and tense contest at Sixfields, followed by Tuesday’s EFL Trophy victory at AFC Wimbledon.
"We probably haven’t got the rub of the green in the last few weeks but we showed our desire (against Stevenage) because the boys put their bodies on the line and it was a proper gritty performance,” said Eaves, who is up to eight goals in all competitions this season.
"Everyone here wants to do really well for the manager and there is a real togetherness in the changing room and long may that continue because we have some big games coming up against teams around us.
"I think anyone who was at the game would have seen how much it meant to us, and now if we can go on a little run and put some good results together, we can climb the table. I do look at the league table, I must admit, and it’s nice to be out of the relegation zone, but there's a long way to go.”
Eaves was on target in Saturday’s win when scoring at the second attempt after Filip Marschall kept out his initial penalty.
He added: "Thankfully I struck the penalty hard enough for the ball to come back to me and I put the rebound in. It’s just one of those things, goalkeepers will do their homework and take a guess and sometimes they’ll go the right way. It doesn't knock my confidence at all and I’m sure I’ll put the next one in.”
With no striker coming through the door in January, there is more pressure than ever on Eaves to stay fit.
"I’m in fine fettle and I feel great,” he continued. “I just want to play as much as possible to be honest, the same as any player. Your livelihood as a footballer depends on playing and you’re always playing for that next contract so it’s important that I stay fit, I play regularly and I score goals and fortunately that’s what I’m doing at the moment.
"I know I've had injuries but I think people magnify it a bit when you get older. I feel great and all my GPS numbers are high so I’m in a good place.”