Hogg explains midfielder's absence and decision to take off Briggs
Chris Hogg confirmed the decision to take off Logan Briggs at half-time against Shrewsbury Town on Saturday was made for tactical reasons.
Cobblers were well below par in the first half at Croud Meadow and deservedly went into the break 2-0 down, prompting Hogg into removing Briggs in favour of Owen Dale.
Dale started the second half on the left before switching to the right, but although he gave the team a bit more purpose, the result was never really in doubt from the moment Kevin Berkoe doubled Shrewsbury’s lead.
“The performance from everyone in the first half was nowhere near our level and that’s what I said at half-time,” admitted Hogg. “Logan is someone who has done really well for us in the first few weeks of the season and he’ll learn loads from today.
“I don’t like taking people off at certain stages of games but I thought it was something that was needed at the time, and we built up Owen’s minutes as well. It’s probably one positive from today that Owen played 45 and the decision was made purely on what I thought the game needed at that moment.
“The second goal is a killer blow but even at 2-0 at half-time, I still felt we could get back into the game if we scored the next goal, but that never looked like happening if we’re honest.”
Connor Evans was absent from the squad for Saturday’s game. The experienced midfielder missed a couple of weeks with a back issue before returning against Newport last weekend, but he did not feature at Shrewsbury.
“Connor’s just had an issue with his back,” Hogg explained. “He’s been to see someone about it and the good news is that it was quite a quick thing and he’s now feeling really good and I expect him to train normally this week.”