Jon Brady says Northampton executed perfect game plan at Blackpool

Posted Wednesday, November 29, 2023 by PA

Northampton boss Jon Brady hailed his players for executing the perfect game plan in their 2-1 win at Blackpool.

Sam Hoskins scored the winner for the second time in four days as the Cobblers racked up their third league win on the spin to move seven points clear of the relegation zone.

Kieron Bowie put Northampton ahead with a cool first-half finish but Jordan Rhodes equalised for Blackpool midway through the second-half.

In an even game, the hosts pushed for a winner but Hoskins – who also made the difference in Northampton’s 2-1 win against Cambridge on Saturday – intercepted a wayward Blackpool pass and finished neatly to bag the points.

“I’m delighted for the players and the fans who have travelled tonight, really good,” Brady said.

“I think there’s confidence within the group and we tried to keep continuity with the same team apart from one change that was forced upon us tonight. We came with a game plan and the boys delivered it superbly tonight.

“They were two great finishes. Through the night you might have to suffer here and there but we forced them to play a lot of long balls and really they throw it away to try and get it back.

“We had a game plan, we knew that was going to happen and the way that we jumped them I thought it was quite good. We picked a lot up and we played some good stuff back through them because they try and counter press.

“When they came forward, we broke their backline so I was really pleased.”

In contrast, Blackpool manager Neil Critchley described his teams’ performance as lethargic following back-to-back 4-0 wins.

The Tangerines carved out several decent chances but a combination of poor finishing and excellent goalkeeping from Northampton’s Max Thompson kept them at bay.

Rhodes’ 11th goal of the season looked set to swing the momentum in the second half but they were unable to kick on and Critchley admits Blackpool have crashed back to reality after the high of their previous two performances.

“It is a disappointment. This game has a habit of reminding you of how difficult it is and we weren’t at our best all evening,” he said.

“The players gave it their all, we looked a bit lethargic and there was a little bit of mental fatigue.

“That’s where you have to grind out the result, but our quality wasn’t good enough all the way through the evening.

“The first goal is important in any game and we had a couple of opportunities to go 1-0 up but we didn’t take them. When they go 1-0 up it becomes doubly difficult.

“In the second half we created a chance and scored and at home with momentum we felt we could go on to win the game but we give them their second goal.”