A Pause For Thought.

[Ted]

Well, here we are heading into the Christmas period lying just one place out of the relegation zone in the bottom division of the Football League.I'm pretty confident in the assumption that even the most pessimistic of Cobblers supporters didn't envisage a position such as this. However, there are still delusional people who are will to continually support a management team that has failed abysmally.If you think that there's a divide in the support at this present time with regards to the pro and anti Sammo camps, then I can tell you now that you ain't seen nothing yet.

Let's skip forward 5 months, and we find our club out of the Football League for the first time since we gained the status 90 years ago.Not only will there be a divide in support, but like me, many will vow never to venture into Sixfields to watch the likes of Hayes and Yeading, Gatehead or Forest Green. I predict with some confidence that if this was the scenario, Northampton Town will never recover.

Fortunately, we have time and are in a position to act before it's too late. However,this window of opportunity doesn't last long, and if it's delayed much longer the opportunity to salvage the season will be gone, and with it our precious league status.I may be putting my neck on the line for this post, but I care deeply for this club and will gain no satisfaction from my prophesy being proved correct.

[NTFC Nut]

Let's skip forward 5 months, and we find our club out of the Football League for the first time since we gained the status 90 years ago.

You say that as if it's a foregone conclusion. We're not even in the relegation zone at the minute. There are at least two sides worse than us in this division, of that I'm sure.

[defender]

It would be very sad to see Sammo go and we have been on a good run until today, what the hell happend? We seemed to have been so solid with some good solid performances and today we concede four against Barnet! It may be due to having a young squad or the lack of a good leader on the pitch. I look forward to hearing from a fan who was at the game today.

[Erith_Cobbler]

You say that as if it's a foregone conclusion. We're not even in the relegation zone at the minute. There are at least two sides worse than us in this division, of that I'm sure.

Who have both beaten us this season.

[Ted]

You say that as if it's a foregone conclusion. We're not even in the relegation zone at the minute. There are at least two sides worse than us in this division, of that I'm sure.

I'd say that it was shifting from a distinct possibility towards a high probability. How far would you let it go ?

[NTFC Nut]

Who have both beaten us this season.

I don't necessarily mean the two sides below us in the table.

[Trotty]

Is that the two sides that have both put 4 past us in recent weeks? Or someone else?

[NTFC Nut]

I'd say that it was shifting from a distinct possibility towards a high probability. How far would you let it go ?

At least until Christmas. We've got a very winnable run of games in December and 7 points from our last 4 games ain't bad, especially when certain individuals take it upon themselves to get red cards before half-time on a regular basis.

[NTFC Nut]

Is that the two sides that have both put 4 past us in recent weeks? Or someone else?

I'd argue Accrington, Morecambe, Gillingham, Lincoln and Stockport are all worse sides than us for starters.

[Erith_Cobbler]

I'd argue Accrington, Morecambe, Gillingham, Lincoln and Stockport are all worse sides than us for starters.

Look at the f***ing table Nut. Your argument is invalid!

[Ted]

Even Sammo admitted in his after match interview, that if we don't learn by our mistakes we are going to be around the relegation zone for the duration of the season. I personally feel we've learned nothing since that disastrous summers day in Torquay, and that gives me very little faith that we'll rectify anything in the forseeable future.

[NTFC Nut]

Yeah, they've picked up a few more points than us so far. So what? We're only a goal scored here or not conceded there (Aldershot away being a good example) from having as many points as those teams. The table in mid November doesn't paint the full picture.

[bungle]

Agree 100% Ted.

The only credible reason people have put forward as to why we shouldn't sack Sammo is that we can't afford to. People say that the cost of replacing Sammo with a credible alternative is prohibitive, and that any replacement would be another cheapo option already on the payroll (i.e. Parrish or Crosby). However, as we get closer and closer to a full-on relegation dogfight, it's becoming increasingly clear that we can't afford not to make a change. As Ted says, the financial implications of relegation don't bear thinking about.

We have to look at this objectively: the man lacks the tactical nous, pulling power in the transfer market and the coaching ability (ability to improve and organise players) to be a decent manager at this level. If it wasn't for his status as a 'club legend' we'd all have been baying for his blood a long time ago. This spate of red cards, and the comments from Guinan about 'clearing the air' point to a wider malaise in the squad, a fundamental lack of discipline, organisation and professionalism.

Sammo has had his chance. He's not learning from his mistakes. We are not improving. It's time to make a change before it's too late.  

[Trotty]

Are you completely stupid nut?

[Razor]

There are at least two sides worse than us in this division, of that I'm sure.

We lost to Hereford when they were bottom and have lost to Barnet when they were bottom, conceding 4 goals on each occasion.

The next team above us, Oxford, convincingly beat us 3-1 a month ago. We have also lost to Macclesfield and Cheltenham without so much as putting up a fight or scoring a goal.

That there are probably 2 sides worse than us in this league is an assumption we cannot afford to make.

[Erith_Cobbler]

Nut, you desperatly need a reality check. I fear for your sanity.

[GrangeParkCobbler]

Are you completely stupid nut?

It would appear so!! To be fair though....he is the only one putting up the other side of what is a very weak argument on his part!!

[TheBigPicture]

Effectively we're in a league within the league, and the teams in that bracket we're losing against, that doesnt bode well and is difficult to justify, simple.

[NTFC Nut]

We've beaten Lincoln and outplayed them. We've beaten Gillingham and outplayed them. We've outplayed Accrington and poor finishing denied us three points. And Stockport seem to lose 5-0 every week, while Morecambe are even worse than us at home. All of these sides have similar points tallies to us which suggests they're all cack too. The difference being, they're in a fair position- with the ability of the players we have, we're not. We should be looking to finish above all 5 of them, with or without Sammo in charge.

[Ralap]

Can I give official notice of my love for Nut, what a battler, I believe he is still a teenager and he makes Marvo look like a roll over and tickle my tummy merchant. Keep giving it too them Nut, you're a star.  

As to the thread, who shall we get in to replace Sammo that won't be getting bitched at six months down the line?