Mixed feelings for Curle after Cobblers are frustrated by late postponement at Blackpool

Keith Curle admitted the late decision to call off Tuesday's League One fixture at Blackpool left him and his players 'frustrated' for the second time in four days.

It's now nearly three weeks since the Cobblers last played a league fixture after games against both Oxford United and Blackpool were postponed due to waterlogged pitches.

The timing of the postponement on Tuesday was particularly frustrating as it came shortly after Curle and his assistant Colin West had arrived at the ground and only 90 minutes before kick-off.

"We understand that player safety has to come first," said Curle. "But it's probably ironic that the referee called the game off and then for the next half-an-hour it was bone dry up there and the pitch was improving.

"But I understand he has to make a decision and he made the decision based on player safety and it being a level-playing field for both teams. Everyone wants an entertaining game of football rather than kicking around in puddles so we have to adhere to it and get on with it."

Having made the long journey up to the Fylde Coast, the squad had to get back on the team bus and return to Northampton. The fixture has since been rearranged for Tuesday, February 2.

"Our preparation had been good," Curle added. "We travelled up early, had a pre-match meal and went through the video analysis as we always do.

"Myself and Colin West went to the game early to meet the ref because it had been raining all day, but we weren't told about a pitch inspection and the groundsman was quite confident the game would go ahead.

"But as the referee turned up, the heavens opened and he made the call then. Of course there's a level of frustration because you're ready for the game, mentally and physically, so to have that disappointment is something you need to deal with.

"It was a long journey home but the players are upbeat and we didn't change the routine. They had a day off on Wednesday and were in bright and breezy this morning (Thursday) and we're now looking forward to the game on Saturday."

Curle also reiterated his belief that the season should be extended as fixtures continue to pile up, adding: "It is just a personal opinion but I don't think many players in League One or League Two will be required for the Euros so you'd rather that than having fixture congestion.

"There's going to be promotions and relegations at stake and everybody wants to have time to prepare and also time to recover between games. We don't want to be playing Saturday-Tuesday-Thursday-Saturday when there will be vital games and vital points on the line for every team in the division.

"All clubs want the best opportunity to put in a performance."