Page given food for thought after Cobblers slump to '˜eye-opening' Brackley defeat

An abject performance, particularly after half-time, condemned Northampton to disappointing defeat against a side three divisions below them for the second time this week.

David Moyo, Alex Gudger and Matt Lowe all profited from some charitable defending to get on the score sheet as Brackley earned a deserved victory and one which gives Page plenty to ponder ahead of the start of their Sky Bet League One campaign next month.

“I think I’m still learning about the players as we go along and that today has certainly opened my eyes to a few things,” he said afterwards.

“It’s two games that we’re obviously disappointed with – we know it’s pre-season and we’re building up the minutes but the manner in which we conceded the goals today is really disappointing.

“I’m learning every day and I learnt more in those 90 minutes today than I have done since I got here.

“The first two goals are individual errors and basic goals to concede.

“We then showed good character to get back into it and react in a positive way with the two goals, but to start the second half the way we did was disappointing.”

But despite the manner of his side’s defeat, Page was measured in his post-match interview and felt confident they will be fully prepared once next month’s encounter with Fleetwood Town comes around.

“It’s still pre-season so we’re not getting carried away with it,” he added.

“You want to win games of football of course but what’s more important to me is not so much the result, it’s about people doing the right things on the football pitch and that will have an influence on who I select on the first day of the season.

“I’m learning every day, that’s been a big learning curve today and what I’ve said in the dressing room is that we’ve got learn from the mistakes which we’ve made.”

Page also confirmed that defenders Rod McDonald and Brendan Moloney were taken off with minor back and groin injuries respectively, while Alfie Potter will miss at least two weeks with a muscle tear.

One positive to come out of Saturday’s defeat was the strike partnership of Alex Revell and Marc Richards after both netted a goal apiece.

Page added: “They’re two experienced strikers with great work ethic and that’s food for thought for us.

“There are other players and other options which we haven’t played today due to fitness but with those two up top there’ll be goals.”