Hogg on O'Brien-Whitmarsh's strong display, Sam Chambers' debut and Owen Dale's cameo
Chris Hogg says he does not want to limit Joe O’Brien-Whitmarsh to one position after the midfielder’s match-winning performance against Newport County on Saturday.
The 21-year-old, who joined on a three-year deal from Southampton last month, played in a midfield two alongside Tyrese Fornah and was most people’s man of the match even before his 87th-minute winner.
"Joe was terrific all game,” said Hogg. “He made up for missing the one against Crawley in the first minute, I’ve given him a bit of stick for that, but Joe's got loads of quality and that's why I wanted him at the club.
"Some of the stuff he did in the first half with the ball was excellent and he has really good attributes and a strike like that gives everyone a bit of belief. He deserved it.”
O’Brien-Whitmarsh has mostly played as a number 10 in his career but Hogg believes the Irishman can operate in multiple midfield positions.
"Joe's a good footballer,” he added. “I love footballers and he could play anywhere on the pitch and do a job because he's got a brain and he can angle a ball. He played a bit deeper today and he did some really good things, but he's another one who is still learning about the level.
“He played at Accrington but he only had 13 games for them so he's still in the formative part of his learning at this level. It was a good step for him and everybody needs to produce consistent performances."
Leeds United teenager Sam Chambers played 55 minutes against Newport as he made his Cobblers debut four days after joining the club on deadline day.
"It was good to see Sam on the pitch and it’s been good to integrate him into the group in the last few days,” said Hogg. “We have a lot of players facing League Two for the first time and I think it was a good introduction for Sam into the demands of the level.
“I thought there were times when he made an impact and did some good things, but he'll only get better and better.”
Owen Dale, another deadline day arrival, came on as a late substitute.
Hogg added: "Owen's athletically very good. He'll be a good footballer for the club but we just need to build his minutes up. We'll give him the right programme to build him up in the right way but he's going to add some quality and athleticism to the team.”