We are clearly in freefall at the moment and the only innovation we've ever seen is Johnson leading the team out from the East Stand. Well, I say innovation, that was more desperation.
We have the best rugby team in the country half a mile away and I think it is time we went cap in hand for some help. Yes, the players and fans are different but we both have the words 'Northampton' and 'football' in our names, with a common desire to win.
If you ever walk past the bottom pitches in July, you will know that a Saints pre-season is absolutely brutal. Their training is full on (you won't see them at Goals
) but maybe most importantly they have a winning mentality and are far more disciplined than the average footballer. I couldn't see JJOT getting fined for having the wrong colour training top on! They also don't get half of the injuries we do, which is some state of affairs considering how much impact they take.
Anyone who previously played or watched rugby will know it hasn't always been like this. I think Sir Clive Woodward takes most of the credit for that across the sport.
I don't know if any other team has successfully formed a partnership but try some innovation for a change. As the Saints are effectively Man Utd and we are, well the Cobblers, they may not entertain us at all. Even if we had to pay a significant amount for their services it could be money well spent.
There is a saying in sport and business "Hard work beats talent when talent doesn't work hard." My perception (backed up by the current results) is that a lot of our players are not working hard enough. CW is clearly highly accountable too, so maybe he could learn a thing or two about developing a winning team culture.
I just think it is criminal not to try and tap into and create synergies with a world class set up half a mile down the road. Maybe we have, I don't know.