Setting targets 'a waste of time', says Hogg, as Cobblers gear up for League Two opener
Chris Hogg insists he has not set any goals for the season ahead as his side prepare to kick-off their League Two campaign against Swindon Town this weekend.
Hogg takes charge of his first league fixture as Cobblers boss when Ian Holloway’s Robins visit Sixfields on Saturday (3pm). It’s customary at this time of the year for targets to be set, whether that’s promotion, play-offs, mid-table consolidation or avoiding relegation.
However, after the events of last season, Hogg wants to strip all of that away and focus on ensuring that performances are not only good but improving as the weeks and months go by.
"It's about getting better game to game, week to week,” he said. “That's the message to the lads because we can't change what’s happened the past and we can't control the future. If you're running a marathon and you worry too much about the end, that's where anxiety comes from, just focus on taking the best possible first step.
"We need to try and perform as well as we can in the first game and the result will be the result, we’ll deal with it, and then we go again next week and look to improve again. A lot of times you can't control results but what you can control is what you do and how you try and go about your performance.
"I don't waste my time on setting goals at the start of the season, you have to get a feel for the people you work with and the level of the league and then it’s how you progress over a season.
"All I'm interested in is what it's in our building and us getting better each week and trying to build something here that people can get behind. We know exactly where we are in terms of our culture, our style and our values. I want people to look at Northampton Town and like what we do.”
Saturday will be Hogg’s first competitive game at Sixfields, with more than 6,000 supporters expected through the gates.
He added: "I'm excited for every game at Sixfields but it'll be great to get in there and see people in their seats. I've heard it'll probably be a decent crowd so I appreciate that and let's get right behind the boys.
"We want to put on a positive performance for the first league game so people get an idea of what's to come.”