'Everything I want from my team' - Hogg on Grimsby win
Chris Hogg said the first half performance against Grimsby Town on Saturday was ‘everything I want my team to be’ as his side picked up their first away victory of the season.
Cobblers were dominant for 35 minutes at Blundell Park and fully deserved the lead, given to them by Matty Warhurst, before they rode out a strong period of Grimsby pressure either side of the break.
Jon Guthrie then poked in a second from a corner - the first time Town have scored twice in a match this season - before Edon Pruti’s red card effectively ended the game as a contest.
Hogg said: “I thought we started the game terrifically well and for 36, 38 minutes, it was everything I want the team to look like in terms of how we played, the structures, some of our organisation, how we won duels all over the pitch and how we attacked and created chances.
“We were really pleased with that part of it and then we managed to get through to half-time and reassess a little bit. We got the second goal and that was the biggest difference from last weekend because it changes everything.
“With Grimsby’s style of play, they are always in the game in terms of where they put the ball and how they test you, so I’m delighted to come out with a win and a clean sheet.”
Pruti was red carded for a nasty clash with Joe Wormleighton, and he the Grimsby defender came off much worse, having to be stretchered from the pitch following an eight-minute delay.
Hogg added: “As proud and as pleased as I am with the performance, there’s a little bit of a bitter taste and I feel really sorry for the Grimsby player who suffered the really bad injury.
“It was the correct call by the referee in my opinion but my heart goes out to him and I hope he’s OK and our thoughts are with him. Football is just a game and you never want to see that.”