COBBLERS BOSS - 'IT IS OK TO DREAM, BUT WE MUST DEAL WITH REALITY FIRST'
Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink looks forward to the visit of Doncaster Rovers on Saturday
8 September 2017
New Cobblers boss Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink says he wants the Northampton Town supporters to be excited about the future, but for the players it is a case of one step at a time.
He will take charge of the Cobblers for the first time on Saturday when Doncaster Rovers visit Sixfields (kick off 3pm) and says the squad should look no further ahead than that game.
“You have to have dreams in life but right now I think we need to stop dreaming and focus on the reality," he said.
"First we need to get ourselves out of the situation we are in and then we can build step by step.
“Saturday is the first opportunity for us to start doing that and hopefully we can.
“There is a long way to go in the season but we are where we are and we need to try and climb the league that has to be our aim first.
“It’s about winning as many football matches as we can and we want to be successful.
“Hopefully we won’t have difficult times but if we do that’s when we need to stick together and find a way forward.
“Every job is different and you have to adapt and be flexible. Burton was a different job with a different group of players and we have to find the best way forward for this group.
“I have a certain philosophy and I like my teams to play attacking football but we have to look at what is the best for this team.
“If that is playing with a certain system the time being then we will do that but to be successful you need to be flexible as well.”
Northampton Town 1 Doncaster Rovers 0 - the match report
9 September 2017
SKY BET LEAGUE 1 Saturday September 9th, 3.00pm Sixfields
NORTHAMPTON TOWN 1 Matt Crooks 1
DONCASTER ROVERS 0
Attendance: 5,843 (736 away fans)
Cobblers: Matt Ingram, Brendan Moloney, David Buchanan, Ash Taylor, Aaron Pierre, Matt Crooks (sub Marc Richards 76), Shaun McWilliams, Matt Grimes, George Smith (sub Daniel Powell 88), Chris Long (sub Billy Waters 57), Alex Revell Subs not used: David Cornell, Leon Barnett, Yaser Kasim, Regan Poole
Doncaster: Ian Lawlor, Andrew Butler, Rodney Kongolo, John Marquis, Tommy Rowe, Ben Whiteman, Liam Mandeville (sub Alfie May 60), Joe Wright, Matty Blair, Harry Toffolo (sub James Coppinger 46), Tyler Garratt (sub Jordan Houghton 60) Subs not used: Craig Alcock, Niall Mason, Andrew Williams, Marko Marosi
Referee: Darren Handley
Booked: Cobblers: none Doncaster: Ben Whiteman (31)
5 cautions in 19 games; 1 match suspension 10 cautions in 32 games; 2 match suspension 15 cautions at any time in season; 3 match suspension
Sent off: Cobblers: none Doncaster: none
Sendings off: 2 cautions in one game; 1 match suspension but cautions do not count towards above totals. Other sendings off; 1 or 3 match suspension. Extra match ban for additional sendings off.
Doncaster Rovers were the visitors to Sixfields as Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink took charge of the Cobblers for the first time.
Matt Ingram, signed on-loan from QPR on transfer deadline day, made his debut in goal while summer signing George Smith made his first start for the club. Doncaster included two former Cobblers loanees in their starting line-up, John Marquis and Matty Blair.
The Cobblers got off to a terrific start and had the lead through Matt Crooks after 21 seconds, George Smith providing the set up with a pacy run and ball across to Crooks who finished neatly.
Alex Revell had a shot blocked and Brendan Moloney dragged an effort wide as Hasselbaink’s side continued to play with real energy and at a high tempo.
After a lengthy stoppage when one of the assistant referees had to be replaced by the fourth official because of injury, Ash Taylor made a vital interception to rob John Marquis. Doncaster were being given no time on the ball with the Cobblers players quick to harry and close down the opposition.
Andrew Butler blocked a shot from Crooks and the same player almost made it 2-0 after getting on the end of a cross from Chris Long, his diving effort going just the wrong side of the post.
Joe Wright had a chance to level for Doncaster early in the second half but put his header over.
Billy Waters replaced Chris Long in Hasselbaink’s first change, the Burnley loanee coming off to rapturous applause.
A vital block from David Buchanan denied Rovers substitute Alfie May and Matt Ingram made a fine save to keep out a header from Tommy Row amidst a flurry of corners for the visitors.
Goalscorer Matt Crooks left the field to a standing ovation as Marc Richards came on for the final fifteen minutes.
James Coppinger drew a save from Ingram before the Cobblers were denied a penalty when Rowe appeared to bring down Waters. Daniel Powell replaced George Smith in the Cobblers final change, Smith also receiving a tremendous reception from the fans on his full Cobblers debut.
Another fine save from Ingram preserved Town's lead going into the 90th minute and they saw the game out to make it a winning start for Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink.
COBBLERS MATCH STATS (first half in brackets, match total out of brackets) SHOTS ON TARGET: (3) 3 SHOTS OFF TARGET: (4) 4 CORNERS: (3) 3 FOULS: (3) 11 CAUGHT OFFSIDE: (1) 3
DONCASTER MATCH STATS (first half in brackets, match total out of brackets) SHOTS ON TARGET: (2) 7 SHOTS OFF TARGET: (0) 6 CORNERS: (0) 9 FOULS: (2) 3 CAUGHT OFFSIDE: (1) 2
To watch the Video please enable "Targeting" in cookie settings
Northampton Town welcome Doncaster Rovers to Sixfields on Saturday.
Tickets for the game will be on sale on arrival. Please visit the main ticket office if you are looking to purchase tickets.
If collecting pre-ordered match tickets, please visit the ticket point opposite the main entrance, if collecting season tickets please visit the main ticket office.
Please note that tickets for forthcoming games and season tickets are still on sale, but for the hour before kick off the ticket office will be selling Doncaster Rovers match tickets only.
Remember, you can beat the queues by buying match tickets via ntfcdirect.co.uk and printing your tickets at home!
As part of increased security measures, a 100% search policy will be in operation. Because of this, supporters are advised to arrive as early as possible. Turnstiles will be open from 1pm.
Three points isn't the only priority on Saturday, making sure everyone goes home safe is the most important result.
Northampton Town have been working closely with the police and the EFL, over the summer, to review security at Sixfields. Now we are asking you to do your bit.
Following the dreadful Manchester Arena bombing in May, stadium managers from clubs have been briefed by counter terrorism police.
It is vital that everyone - players, staff and supporters - remain vigilant and report any concerns to stewards or police.
Attacks might be rare, and the chance of you being caught up in one unlikely, but the message is #ActionCountersTerrorism.
Here's a quick reminder of what you can do to help keep yourself and others safe: • Arrive early, allowing more time for security checks • Minimise what you carry, fewer bag searches will speed up entry to the ground • Be vigilant at all times and if you see anything suspicious, tell a steward right away • If you see anything that could pose an immediate threat to safety, call 999 • In an emergency, listen to the Public Address instructions and follow them • If told to evacuate, do so immediately, do not wait around to film events on your mobile • Move right away from the stadium as quickly as possible for your safety and to allow clear access for any emergency vehicles • Once you are safe, follow Northamptonshire Police on Twitter for updates
key moments
Updated at (UK)
Commentary to begin soon
There are currently no key moments to display.
Are you sure you want to delete this event?
Delete Cancel