Moore dismisses fatigue 'excuse' after fronting up over poor form
Experienced defender Elliott Moore does not believe Cobblers can use ‘fatigue’ as an excuse for their poor run of form following another defeat at the weekend.
Much has been made of Town’s busy schedule in recent weeks, particularly by Kevin Nolan. The now-departed manager felt the relentless fixture list contributed to his side’s struggles – but Moore was reluctant to use it as an excuse.
"That would happen in every changing room if that was the case,” said the 28-year-old. “We can't use that as an excuse. We have a big enough squad and a good enough squad to handle the schedule. We now go Saturday to Saturday most weeks and we have to focus on what's to come and make sure we're well rested and well prepared for the next game.
"The fans are rightly unhappy at the moment. The team's losing. We're as frustrated as anyone as players, probably more so, but it's up to us to put it right and we all have a role to play. No matter your experience, it's up to all of us to stick together. Hopefully I can bring a calmness to us because I think that's what we need.”
Moore admitted Cobblers only had themselves to blame for Sunday’s defeat at Plough Lane after a slow start left them with too much to do.
"We made it tough for ourselves,” he added. “We weren't at the races in the first half, which was very disappointing, and we made that clear between ourselves at half-time. We came out in the second half, created a few chances and put their goalkeeper to work but we know we've got to be better than that.
"It's hard to put your finger on why but we know that we can't be putting out performances like that and expects results. We know where we are and we know what we need to do to get out of it and it isn't a performance like that. We have to put it right next week."
Cobblers remain second from bottom and three points from safety.
"Personally I don't look at the table,” Moore continued. “I know where we are and what we need to do to get out of it. We go into every game focused on ourselves.
"We have to be as prepared as possible. There's 10 cup finals coming up. It doesn't matter who we play and where they are in the league, we know we have to go out there and beat whoever is in front of us.”