'It's all about results' - Chairman Thomas addresses Cobblers' style of play under Curle

Town's football this season, whilst generally successful, has been a hot topic of conversation and not everyone is happy with their direct approach, even if it's helped them currently occupy a play-off place in Sky Bet League Two.

Under Curle, the message has been to get the ball forward long and direct towards a physically strong striker, namely Vadaine Oliver, and then look to play off him through the likes of Nicky Adams, Callum Morton and Sam Hoskins.

The statistics show that the Cobblers have played more long balls this season than any other team in League Two bar Salford City, while no side attempts fewer short passes per game.

Town also rank low for average possession and pass completion rate, but high on the list for goals scored, crosses into the box and aerial duals won.

For Thomas though, winning games is the most important thing, especially given the troubles Town were having prior to Curle's appointment.

"We're in a results business and one of the things I've talked about with Keith is that it's all about results," he said.

"We didn't have the best start to the season but Keith has done well to find a way to win and it's been very effective.

"I think he changed it a little bit and we've become a bit more effective in the way that we play and that's suited us and the results have shown that. You can't always get it perfect.

"If anyone is coming along expecting to see something different, it's probably not the time for it because we've got a job to do and we've put ourselves in a good position and we've got a chance to be in the mix come the end of the season.

"That might be play-offs or it might be top three but it's testament to Keith and the team to be in that position."

Whilst the style of play itself gets mixed reviews from fans, the character and resilience of the team is something that has impressed Thomas.

He added: "We're attacking teams and we're strong against teams and I think that's different from previous seasons.

"In the relegation season we were weak against teams and we were bullied and beaten up but now we're looking at the team and we're aggressive and I like that.

"It's better for us to be that way and I want us to be strong and I think the majority of our fans appreciate that the players will go out and stand up to be counted.

"They'll run around, they'll work hard and they'll put a shift in and that's important."

Thomas also drew parallels with Chris Wilder's second season at the Cobblers.

He continued: "I've obviously been good friends with Chris for a long while and he would phone me when he was manager of Northampton before I was chairman.

"He would talk about some of the struggles he was having in his second season at the club. I think sometimes we get carried away that it was all champagne and promotion with Chris but it wasn't.

"He was under a lot of criticism during his second season, especially around Christmas, and he would talk to me about that.

"He was being accused of not playing the best football and that but these times happen and I think Keith has come through that and he's put together results.

"With the players and the staff, they've worked incredibly hard and I look at it now and say whatever's happened has happened.

"The biggest thing is to put yourself in a position where you're competitive towards the end of the season and that's where we are now and they've done a good job to turn that around from the start we had.

"It's about getting effective results and that's the key. People will moan and complain about certain things but the reality now is about producing performances and getting results."