Cobblers boss Keith Curle felt Colchester United showed the importance of being clinical with their chances as he reflected on Saturday's home defeat.
“It was a difficult afternoon and a poor result,” he said.
“The scoreline will make the headlines and I understand that but there is a story to be told within that and the opportunities we had.
“We created some really good chances today but their keeper made some good saves and they were the defining moments.
“There is an anxiety around when we don’t take those chances and at the other end we need to defend better.
“When you zonal mark at set plays you have got to win the first header and when a player doesn’t do their job it can make the system look untidy.
“I think we had nine chances to their ten but they scored four goals. They were clinical and we were not. They are a good team that has been building for a couple of years and they will be in the shake up come the end of the season.
“On the whole it’s a very honest changing room but if I rant and rave these players will go into their shell and I realised very quickly that I need to do something a bit different because I think they have had that treatment before.
“We need that unity and that starts with me.
“Today has been a kick up the backside and the bottom line is we need to win games to make sure we get enough points to stay in this league which was the aim this season.”