Revell backs Cobblers to '˜put out a statement' after Rovers defeat

Revell was at a loss to explain exactly where it went wrong for his side in Saturday’s game when Northampton were overwhelmed by an impressive second-half performance by the Pirates.

The former MK Dons man had put Cobblers ahead with a deft lob early on but Rovers came out flying after half-time and three goals inflicted a first home league defeat on Northampton since December 2015.

“It’s hard to take,” admitted Revell. “We’re disappointed because maybe we came out second-half and weren’t quite at it.

“I thought they controlled the game for most of the second-half but that’s this league and if you make mistakes you get punished and we made a mistake and got punished.

“In the first-half we created enough chances around the box but the final pass wasn’t great or it didn’t happen for us.

“There’s never anything you can put it on - maybe the early goal relaxed us a bit too much but I don’t know.

“It’s about how you go as a team and if you’re not at your best, you have to rally round, come together and not concede three goals at home but that’s what we’ve done and we could look back at all of the goals and done stuff better.”

Northampton face a stern test this weekend in the form of league leaders Scunthorpe United but Revell sees it as an opportunity to right the wrongs of Saturday and send out a statement to the rest of the league.

He added: “We have to learn and we have to learn quickly because we’ve got some tough games coming up.

“Bristol Rovers were tough because they’re not a bad side but now we’ve got some big games and if you make mistakes against top teams you’re going to get punished.

“Saturday gives us a real chance to put out a statement and show we really mean business.

“If we cut out the mistakes, we will be a force in this league and I really believe that.

“It’s not about pointing individuals out or losing that belief and togetherness because that would just ruin everything we’ve done.

“It’s about getting together and continuing what we’ve been doing and working hard and that togetherness will bring us through.”

On his two goals, Revell continued: “It’s nice for me because as a striker you’re always judged on goals and the people who don’t come to the games and outside of our fans, they just see who’s scoring.

“But they don’t realise how much hard work goes into it and I know I have to perform because I’ve got Rico breathing down my neck and he’s been outstanding for me since I came into the club.”