Hogg 'realistic as to where we are at' after Cobblers endure frustrating start

Town have largely played well in their opening two league games, out-shooting both Swindon (9-4) and Crewe (15-6), but they’ve picked up just the one point and are still yet to score. They played some attractive football in the first half at Gresty road on Saturday but were wasteful in the final third.

"I'm quite realistic as to where we’re at,” said Hogg. “Some of the performance, in patches, was good, but unfortunately good doesn't get you three points. We have to be better and we have to improve and be more ruthless in the final third.

"We need bring that belief and that energy. The supporters were here in good numbers, they stuck with us and tried to push us to get back into the game, I appreciate that, but we've got to keep working. I don’t like losing games, especially in the manner we did today, but it's a marathon.”

While there’s been enough to feel encouraged two games into the season, Hogg is confident Cobblers will only keep getting better as the weeks go by.

"We all have to improve,” he added. “The players know exactly what I think but I have to improve as well. I learned a lot and I'm trying to drive it from the side and drive them up the pitch and get them to try and play forward and to connect and play with each other and be brave.

“I've got to do a better job, we all do, because we have to pick up points and make sure our performance levels remain from today and we take it on and extend it so it's not just a half or a half plus a 15 minute spell at the end, we have to be consistent for 90 plus minutes."

On O’Brien-Whitmarsh’s debut cameo, Hogg added: "Joe did well. I thought he had a good impact when he came on. He's going to be a good footballer for this club and I'm looking forward to seeing how he goes and how he can force his way into the team. “