Hogg had 'honest conversations' with players after EFL Trophy defeat
Chris Hogg said he had some ‘good, honest conversations’ with the players who were beaten 3-0 by Brighton Under-21s in the EFL Trophy.
The XI selected by Hogg for Tuesday’s tie was essentially last season’s team, plus 16-year-old academy defender Bobby Ashton and summer signing Harvey Saunders, and they were comfortably second best.
"We need to learn and reflect and I learned a lot about both individuals and the team,” said Hogg. “It wasn’t about effort, it was more the lack of problem solving.
"I had a really good chat with the lads this morning (Wednesday) and they were great about it. We went for a walk and there were some good, honest conversations.
"They're a really good group from that point of view because they're open and they're trying to understand what I expect from them, but they're also honest with each other.
“I don’t want to stand on the touchline and watch a game like that, but we have to experience it and there will be more times like that throughout the season.
“It’s how you reflect and build on it and make sure those experiences don’t happen again. I hate losing but I’m quite calm about it because I understand where we’re at and what we need to do. It’s another indication of the areas that need improving.”
Hogg will return to his strongest XI when Cobblers go to Crewe this weekend. The starting line-up at Gresty Road could include as many as nine summer signings.
Hogg added: "I've got a lot of time for Crewe in terms of how they've done stuff historically. Lee (Bell) has been there for a few years now and he's done a great job. I have massive respect for him and the work he's done.
"It'll be a tough game and they like to have the ball so we will have to earn the right to play and impose ourselves on the game. It'll be a different game to Swindon and we'll have to do the ugly side of the game well but I want to focus on us and how we can hurt them with the ball.”