Boothroyd hails ‘excellent’ Northampton Town skipper Langmead

Langmead has led Town to within touching distance of the npower League Two automatic promotion places this season.

And, with the player of the year voting now open at Sixfields, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see the defender draw the lion’s share of the plaudits.

It’s quite a transformation for a player who was seen as one of the weak links in the team 15 months ago, and Boothroyd can’t speak highly enough of Langmead’s contribution to the Cobblers cause.

“Kelvin has been absolutely outstanding,” said the Town boss. “He’s not only a very good footballer, but as a man he’s grown enormously in the last few months.

“He’s a good type, he’s strong, he’s improved the feeling around the place – there’s a real good team spirit – and he puts his body on the line and leads by example.

“We’ve got a captain there that has turned a corner since he’s been here. The fans have certainly taken to him and so they should because he’s an excellent captain and an excellent person.”

Not only has the 27-year-old been a rock at the back, but he has also chipped in with some crucial goals in the promotion bid.

The former Peterborough centre-back has struck eight times this season, with Cobblers remaining unbeaten in the eight games he has scored in.

“We need to get him scoring on Saturday (against Oxford) then, don’t we?,” said Boothroyd. “We need to get him up there.

“He broke his nose when he scored at Torquay and that sort of sums him up really. He’s got so much life in him and so much desire in him.

“Sometimes he puts his body through things it probably shouldn’t go through, but that’s the type of person you want because it sets an example for others.”