Nolan Praises Cobblers’ Start But Demands Better After Rotherham Defeat
Northampton Town boss Kevin Nolan says his side are “battling way above” expectations after a steady opening to the League One season, but admitted disappointment with elements of last weekend’s loss to Rotherham United. Town sit 14th with 14 points from 11 matches and operates on one of the division’s smaller budgets, a context Nolan referenced while underlining belief in the squad’s resilience.
“I’m really happy with where we are,” he said. “They are battling way above what we’re supposed to be doing and where we’re supposed to be, but I expect that from these boys.”
The manager highlighted duels and second balls as areas to tighten, insisting home standards must be higher.
“What I didn’t like on Saturday was the other side of the game… we lost first and second contacts and that gave Rotherham something to build on,” he added.
With nine former Premier League clubs in the division, Nolan expects a demanding schedule but stressed the group’s capacity to respond to setbacks. Training intensity and mentality were central to his message as he targeted an immediate reaction in the next fixture.
“We can be disappointed after the game and the next day, but it’s smiles on faces when we come back in for training and we go again,” he said, calling for a sharper edge without the ball while maintaining belief in the team’s overall trajectory.