Hoskins hails Curle impact as Cobblers boss celebrates two years in charge

The Town boss celebrates his second anniversary in charge at Sixfields on October 1, and in those 24 months he has lifted the club from fourth bottom in Sky Bet League Two, to 10th in league one.

He achieved his first promotion as a manager as the Cobblers went up via the play-offs in June, and it's fair to say the 56-year-old has transformed the fortunes of a club that was in a bit of trouble when he took over.

Curle replaced Dean Austin as manager after 10 matches of the 2018/19 season, with Town, who had been relegated the previous May, sitting 21st in league two and having won just three of their previous 26 matches in all competitions.

"He has definitely made an impact," said Hoskins, who was a starter in Curle's first game in charge at the PTS Academy Stadium, a 0-0 draw with Bury.

"When he came in we were sort of on a downward spiral and we were really struggling.

"It was a massive thing to get in the right person to sort of steady the ship, and then push us on upwards again.

"And you can see that in the past two years he has definitely done that.

"It was a strange end to last season, but we were up at the right end of the table and ended up winning the play-offs and getting promoted through them.

"For me especially, it has been a very enjoyable experience since he has been at the club.

"The relationship we have, and the trust he puts in me, was a massive thing to keep me here, and hopefully we can continue that and push on up the league."

Hoskins, who signed a new two-year deal with the Cobblers in the summer, is one of just three players who remain at the club from the day Curle took charge, with the others being Shaun McWilliams and Scott Pollock, who was yet to make his first team debut.

There has been an incredible turnover of players at the club as the Town boss has tried to stamp his own authority on the squad, with 57 different players being used by Curle in League matches alone.

Hoskins has had to keep his head down and carry on with all that change going on around him, and he admits it can at times be strange as good friends and colleagues move on.

"It is difficult at times, but that is football," admitted Hoskins, who under Curle has made 80 starts and six substitute appearances, scoring 19 goals.

"You are going to come across players that you get on with more than others, but it changes so quickly, and you never know when you might come across them again.

"You just have to make sure that you can't dwell on players leaving, you have to just get on, build new relationships with players, and ultimately perform well with them on the pitch."