'Nervous' Sampson admits he took a 'gamble' with his team selection and tactics against Peteborough

Having stepped up from his role as Jon Brady’s number two, Sampson made the decision to mix things up. The most significant shift was in formation as Cobblers went to a back three and played two more natural full-backs – Aaron McGowan and Nesta Guinness-Walker – either side of Jon Guthrie with Mitch Pinnock and Akin Odimayo operating at wing-back.

Town also matched Peterborough man for man and pressed high and aggressively, a tactic which caused discomfort for Posh but also left the hosts exposed at times. It all paid off in the end, however, as Cameron McGeehan grabbed a match-winning double.

"I think we had to change it a little bit,” said Sampson. “We've been on a bad run of results and we've struggled to pick up wins. It was a bit of a gamble to play that three at the back with two full-backs at centre-half either side of Jon (Guthrie) and we were exposed at times.

"We didn't know whether it was going to work but fortunately we got the right result. It's a brilliant night for the fans.”

Cobblers started especially brightly before fading towards half-time, but they persisted with their man-for-man approach all the way until McGeehan’s 84th minute winner.

Sampson continued: "We spoke at half-time about getting back to what we were doing in the first 15, 20 minutes of the first half. I tried to change a little bit in terms of blocking their pivots off. That's the technical word they use in the modern game but we wanted to block off their midfield players.

"It's difficult because they pull you about all over the place but we didn't want to take a backward step. We didn't have much possession but I felt we looked a threat whenever we did go forward.”

The interim boss also admitted to feeling the nerves before the game, adding: "I think it's probably the most nervous I've been for 14 years – since I was a manager last time!

"You get that feeling in the pit of your stomach with the nerves because it's on you as the caretaker manager. I wouldn't say it was a horrible feeling but it's one that reignites you a little bit.”