Hogg encouraged by performances after 'asking lots of different things' of Cobblers players
Chris Hogg believes Cobblers will begin to reap the rewards of their good play with goals and points if they maintain, and hopefully improve, their current level of performance.
Town head to Gillingham this Saturday targeting both a first goal and a first win of the campaign. The underlying statistics from the first two league games offer encouragement, particularly from a defensive viewpoint, but Hogg is well aware that, at some point, they need to turn promise into substance.
"I’m encouraged by some of the positions we’re getting in and some of the play to get there has been very good and really pleasing," said Hogg. "Every manager and every coach wants something different from their team and I’m asking lots of different things that’s probably not been asked of these players at various clubs over the last couple of years.
"They’e tying to adapt to a new style of play and a new way of doing stuff, it’s not world beating and it’s nothing ground breaking but it’s a bit different for a few. Simple things done well gets you into good areas and then we need to have the bravery and courage and confidence to execute in those final moments.
"What I really like about the group are the honest conversations we have, and if we stay cool and calm in those key moments, we will start racking up goals and points.”
Reflecting on what's pleased him most at this early stage of the season, Hogg replied: "Their effort has been the most pleasing thing and how they are very day.
"I’ve really enjoyed coming into work with them because it’s a team and a group of people that want to improve and get better. They’e tying everything to get better on a daily basis and some of the underlying performance makers are really good.
"It’s then how we make sure we get the rewards for some of the good stuff we’re doing and having that ruthless edge in the final third. We keep tying to add to that in terms of how we play but also we're still tying to do different bits in the window.
"I’ve enjoyed working with the players and my message is to keep going – we’ve been pretty solid and all the statistics are positive. That doesn’t get you thee points on a Saturday but if you stick with it then, over the course of time, I believe in performance and process and the rewards will come."