Curle: Still more to come from resurgent Cobblers

Cobblers boss Keith Curle has praised his players for creating the right ‘environment and culture’ which has allowed the team to thrive on the pitch and turn around their fortunes in recent weeks.
Keith Curle with assistant Colin West. Picture: Pete Norton/Getty ImagesKeith Curle with assistant Colin West. Picture: Pete Norton/Getty Images
Keith Curle with assistant Colin West. Picture: Pete Norton/Getty Images

Following last month’s goalless home draw with Crawley Town, when the players were booed off by some sections of the PTS, Curle warned Cobblers fans he would require ‘time and transfer windows’ to change the ‘culture’ of the club.

But two away wins later, achieved at Stevenage and Crewe, and Curle was again speaking about the importance of working within the right ‘environment’, except this time it was in a positive sense.

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“It’s a case of everyone playing their part and that’s not only the starting 11, it’s about the squad, those that travelled and even the players that didn’t play because they still play a massive part in the environment and in the culture throughout week, which is pleasing,” said Curle.

“There hasn’t been any sulking. There’s people who are disappointed, people who are angry and people who are frustrated but you’re going to get that at every football club.

“But, as a group, we’re managing that because they know, with those emotions, come and see me. I won’t change my mind and it won’t effect my team selection, but I’m there to listen and I’m there to help.”

Saturday’s win at Gresty Road lifted Cobblers 15 points clear of relegation in League Two and stretched their unbeaten run to five games, but Curle admits that’s far from the limit of both his and the club’s ambition.

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“There’s still more to come from us but your foundation is negating the opposition’s threat and then expressing yourself with the ball in the right areas and we did that against Crewe,” he added.

“They had one or two good passages of play but on their day they can make anybody look open and exposed.

“They created a few chances and caused us one or two problems but overall we did very well and Dai Cornell came and caught when he needed and made one great save at the end, getting a hand to put the ball over the bar.”

On John-Joe O’Toole’s performance and goal, Curle continued: “It was a trademark John-Joe O’Toole goal - good work ethic, good understanding of his role out of possession, freedom to go and express himself and get into areas where he thinks he’ll be a goal threat. Typical JJ!”