Cobblers are fighting on all fronts
NORTHAMPTON are fighting for their lives in League One but little did they believe one of their players would be challenged to a scrap by their own supporters.
That was the scenario facing David Buchanan, who was confronted by frustrated fans after their latest defeat.
It sums up the current mood at the club, where all is not well, and captain Marc Richards said: “David handled the situation brilliantly and even shook hands with a couple of them.
“He told them we have to stick together and he is right. Negativity doesn’t help us when we go into the pitch.”
Second from bottom, with only two league wins, tomorrow they go to fellow strugglers Gillingham, a club one place and two points above them. “We’re hurting as much as the fans,” said Richards.
“There are other ways to express their anger so I’d urge them to get behind us as we need their support now more than ever.
“It’s not the start that anyone here wanted and we are in a dogfight. But we aren’t pressing the panic button as there’s still a lot of games left to move out of trouble.
“We are one win from turning this around with the group of players we have got.”
It is a group led by former Chelsea striker Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, 45.
Pictures emerged of Hasselbaink diving over the finish line to win the 100m sprint at his young daughter’s school sports day this summer. A grin and celebratory jig followed to underline his competitive streak, nine years after hanging up his boots. But there have been few smiles raised in his six weeks in charge at Sixfields.
“Jimmy has been brilliant with us and we owe him some results,” said 35-year-old striker Richards.
“We’re playing for our futures and the buck stops with us. He can’t do any more. He is an absolute worker and his attention to detail is second to none.
“You can only be inspired by him. We are fortunate to be able to attract someone of his standing in the game. He will turn us around, I have no doubt about that.” Optimism from back-to-back wins after former QPR manager Hasselbaink replaced Justin Edinburgh last month has been replaced by realism.
An eight-game winless run, including a 6-0 home hammering by Bristol Rovers, soon followed but they ended a 10-hour goal drought in Tuesday’s 2-2 comeback draw with Rochdale.
The Cobblers are used to facing challenges. In November 2015, the then debt-ridden club were on the brink of folding before being rescued by a takeover, and last season they successfully staved off relegation.
This time? It will take a big effort to avoid the drop again but there is no doubt they are up for the challenge ahead.