Cobblers going for a Burton, says Jimmy
NEW Northampton boss Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink says the Cobblers can match former club Burton by storming into the Championship.
The Dutchman has taken over at Sixfields with his side rock bottom in League One after losing their first four games.
But the Chelsea hero says he can fix the club and create the winning blend he found at Burton, who rose from non-League to the Championship.
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“I don’t mean it disrespectfully to Burton, but this club is further on than Burton was at the time,” said Hasselbaink, who led the Brewers to the League Two title and quit for QPR when top of League One.
“Look where Burton are now. They are well established in the Championship and this club, if they could change places with Burton, would snap their hands off.
“But it has the potential to be a bigger Burton, easily. With respect, this is a bigger club than Burton – ® more supporters and a little further on than Burton were.”
Hasselbaink has taken over a side without a league win in 12 games, dating back to last season.
He will start his Northampton reign at home to Darren Ferguson’s Doncaster on Saturday.
The Cobblers have not played in the second tier since 1967 and Hasselbaink said of his task: “How do you create momentum? That’s the hardest question ever.
“You do it by working hard and trying to repeat certain things, doing the right things and when you keep on doing the right things, you will win matches. The belief, hard work and togetherness has to be there and then your talent will shine and there is a lot of talent here.
“I’m not saying it is going to be easy but there is a lot of pluses and things I can work with and I’m really looking forward to that.
“I’ll bring a lot of energy. It’s important to me that they enjoy the journey and have smiles on their faces.
“We might lose some matches but we must do things with joy.
“Players must realise they are in the best job in the world.
“If you get out of bed and work outside and get a sweat on, why do it with restraint?”