Hoskins is enjoying his football as he targets another productive campaign

Given the circumstances, you would have been forgiven for thinking last weekend's trip to Shrewsbury Town was a write-off before the Cobblers had even stepped out at New Meadow.

If you include young Jacob Ballinger and new signing Jack Sowerby, who wasn’t registered in time, Town set off for Shropshire without 10 players due to injury or illness.

Worse was to come at New Meadow when striker Benny Ashley-Seal limped off late in the first half and was replaced by 18-year-old Caleb Chukwuemeka, one of five academy players named on the bench by Keith Curle.

The situation was so severe that Curle was even forced into changing the 3-5-2 system that has brought him so much success over the past year, instead going with 4-4-2.

But the Cobblers have become an increasingly resilient team under Curle and that was no better demonstrated than during their battling performance and gritty victory against Shrewsbury.

It was a backs-to-the-wall effort. An element of luck was certainly involved – none more so than for Sam Hoskins’ winning goal – but you would be hard pushed to begrudge them the points given the circumstances.

And whilst the Cobblers were fortunate to lead at half-time after Shrewsbury’s dominance of the first half, they improved in the second period and may well have won by more, though Hoskins’ opportunistic strike proved the difference.

“I saw Warbs (Matty Warburton) break away with the ball so I thought I’d help him in the attack and luckily he saw me,” said Hoskins. “I did see the defender over my shoulder and I sort of hoped there would be a collision and they’d miss the ball so I took a gamble and it paid off.

“From then on it was about concentration to score in the empty net. It’s always nice to score on a personal note but it’s all about the three points.

“We created a lot of chances in the second half and I think we showed good character. We did that last week when we came from behind twice, and then when Shrewsbury drew level, we were able to turn it round again and go on and win. It could have been 3-1 or 4-1 in the end so that’s testament to our spirit and fight.”

Hoskins is now into his sixth season at the Cobblers after signing a new two-year contract in the summer and he’s arguably playing the best stuff of his career.

He finished top scorer with 12 goals in all competitions last season and already has one goal from one start this term. From being a player that divided fans, he has become one of the first names on the team sheet and a lot of that, according to the man himself, is down to Curle.

“I’ve definitely improved under the manager,” Hoskins said. “For me the aim is always to play as many games as I can and obviously to contribute with goals and assists.

“The gaffer has shown a lot of faith in me and he’s played me in almost every game and it’s down to him that I’ve improved as a player.

“It’s made me enjoy football again. I went through a tricky spell before I came to Northampton but this club is where I’ve found my form so credit to the gaffer because he had trust in me and hopefully I can continue to repay him.

“He knows I’m grateful and the best way to repay him is by scoring goals, playing well and winning games and now I feel like I am hitting good form.”

Hoskins is known as Town’s Mr Versatile and three appearances into the new season, he’s already played three different positions: up front, attacking midfield and left-winger.

He added: “I’ve said before that I enjoy playing anywhere as long as I’m in the team and I’ll do my best to do a job for the manager, whether it’s wide, through the middle or in central midfield.

“Wherever I am, I’m happy to play and stay in the team.”

Shrewsbury and AFC Wimbledon are two established League One teams but things step up another gear this afternoon when Hull City visit the PTS.

The Tigers, a Premier League team only three years ago, were relegated from the Championship last season and have won both their opening two games without conceding a goal.

“We know we’re going to have to perform consistently well throughout the season because I think League One is the strongest it’s been for years,” Hoskins continued.

“We’ll take it one game at a time, prepare right and do our homework on the opposition, but we’ll have our own gameplan and try to win the game.”