Great comments from the gaffer.....
http://www.northantshp.co.uk/Sport/Cobblers/New-boss-Johnson-happy-to-get-stuck-in-straight-away-at-Sixfields.htmNew boss Johnson happy to get stuck in straight away at Sixfields
Gary Johnson could arguably not have had a tougher start to his managerial career with Northampton Town.
After Saturday’s game against high-flying Shrewsbury Town, the new boss now takes his side to League Two leaders Chesterfield on Tuesday evening.
"I should have started Wednesday and let some body else take those two shouldn't I?” he joked.
But despite only being appointed as Ian Sampson’s replacement last Friday, Johnson was keen to get straight into things and was on the touchline for the 3-2 defeat against Shrewsbury at Sixfields.
He said: “I wanted to come in early, and that's something that me and the chairman agreed because the earlier you can get in, the more you can suss out what you've got.
“Everybody tells me that Saturday was a typical game for this season for this club, so it was good that I saw that.”
The Cobblers led twice thanks to goals from Michael Jacobs, but both times found themselves pegged back by strikes from David Davies and Jake Collins.
Jon Taylor then won it for the Shrews three minutes from time, leaving Johnson with no doubts about what he needs to do to turn the side into promotion contenders.
The former Yeovil Town and Bristol City boss said: “Obviously the lads can score goals, but they can let goals in as well and that's the team - not just defenders.
“That's the team being able to defend when we haven't got the ball, and I thought we did OK for an hour or so.
“I was pleased with their passion and their work rate, and they tried to do the things that I asked them to - knock it about a bit probably a bit more than they normally would do.
“It got them into trouble on a couple of occasions and sometimes gave them something in their mind where they wanted to play the long one and they went for the short one, because I had asked them to, and gave it away.
“But at least they were trying. Then I felt we lost our legs and our presence in the last 20 minutes, and that's something that we've got to look at as well.”
With that being the case, some will be left wondering whether the work done by fitness coach Glen Thurgood is reaping rewards.
But Johnson does not believe that is where the problem lies, saying: "It's not necessarily him. The team has been around 14th, 15th, 16th [in the league] so the team needs to be better.
“The squad needs more quality, and more pace and power. Then maybe we can get ourselves into that top half as quickly as we can.“It's a big test tomorrow so early in my tenure, but it will help me learn a little bit more about the lads.
“The ones that want to be here and be part of the new regime will be showing me that, the ones that don't or haven't got the ability will be showing me that as well."
Johnson has wasted little time in making moves in the transfer market and confirmed he hopes to have two players in before tomorrow night’s trip to the B2net Stadium.
Chesterfield currently have an 11 point advantage over the chasing pack at the top of the table, and few will be expecting Northampton to get anything from the game.
But Johnson is anxious to change that mentality, feeling that the recent run is as much of a psychological issue for the squad as anything
"When it went 2-2 I could feel it 'here we go again, we're going to get beat 3-2,’” he said reflecting on the weekend defeat.
“The players dropped, the crowd dropped and every pass that went astray then suddenly became a major issue.
“I could see it, feel it and I've been there and done it, and that's what it is.
”It's because that has happened so many times, so we've got to try and get a fresh mentality.
”That's why I've lost my voice because I tried to pick it up at the end when I was maybe flogging a bit of a dead horse.
“The lads need to know they've got to finish strong, and you've got to believe you're going to win that game 2-1.
“You can't let a goal in just after you've scored a goal, but it was as if everyone was half-expecting it."
However, he was impressed with midfield prospect Jacobs and is keen to ensure that the Cobblers keep hold of their young stars.
"He needs to be under contract for the next five years,” said Johnson, adding: “His two goals were super goals and he made them out of nothing really.
“He looks a good one because he is still young and we need to make sure that we build around the quality players that are already here."