Cobblers must be adaptable to reap success, warns level-headed Taylor

Cobblers must prove they are capable of playing against all types of opposition in all types of conditions if they are to have a successful season, according to experienced midfielder Matty Taylor.
EARLY DAYS: Matty Taylor will not be getting carried away by Northampton's fine start to the season. Pictures: Sharon LuceyEARLY DAYS: Matty Taylor will not be getting carried away by Northampton's fine start to the season. Pictures: Sharon Lucey
EARLY DAYS: Matty Taylor will not be getting carried away by Northampton's fine start to the season. Pictures: Sharon Lucey

With victory over Southend United on Saturday, Northampton are now up to fifth in Sky Bet League One with 14 points from nine games.

But these are still early days and Taylor, who has as much experience as anyone in the Cobblers squad, knows they must continue to improve and show their adaptability, with Southend presenting a different type of challenge on Saturday.

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“The conditions played into their hands because they play the ball slightly longer than we like to do,” said Taylor. “But if we’re to do well and be successful this season, we’ve got to be able to play against every type of opposition.

“That’s whether they want to pass it or whether they want to play through the thirds or whether they want to get the ball forward quickly and play off second balls.

“So for us it’s a big win because the teams we’ve beaten this season, we’ve stopped them playing through us and got our goals on the counter-attack.

“But Saturday was a different fixture for us and we dug in.

“Obviously the sending off for Revs’ penalty helped us but overall it was a good performance, especially in the second-half.”

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Taylor himself played a pivotal role in that emphatic victory when he offered another reminder of his undisputed quality with a magnificent free-kick to put Town into a 3-0 lead.

“It was nice to see it go in,” he added. “We had wind behind and I thought I’d have a go because it was a point in the game where we were 2-0 up and I was very happy to see it fly in.

“It’s one of those where you can’t put blame on the goalkeeper. I’ve hit it as well as I could and I didn’t really give him a chance which is nice.”

Next up is a trip to Swindon Town on Tuesday night when the Cobblers will be targeting their first away win of the campaign.

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“We’ll keep our feet on the ground and take every fixture as it comes,” continued Taylor.

“We know that it’s a 46-game season and nothing is won or lost in this early part of the season.

“The important games are the ones in the league. Saturday was important, Tuesday is as important and now we got on with the next one.

“The fixtures come around so quickly and you can’t dwell on what you’ve done badly and you can’t focus on what you’ve done well.

“You need to move forwards quickly, get your body in the best shape for the next fixture and go and try get another positive result.”