Boothroyd unhappy as Cobblers fail to complete the basics

The Gulls ran out 2-1 winners at Sixfields with Jordan Chapell’s brace wiping out a first-half header from on-loan Leicester City striker Jacob Blyth.

It was a bad afternoon for Town, who have now been beaten in three of their four league games so far this season.

And Boothroyd was visibly furious after it, feeling his players also paid the price for failing to score more goals during their period of dominance in the first half.

“In the first half it was just a question of how many goals we would score,” he said. “We tortured their left-back but we didn’t get enough first contact on his crosses and we should have gone in two or three up.

“People will go away from the game not remembering our good play because we’ve lost and I am very disappointed in that but we played really well at times.

“Some of the players have got their heads in their hands wondering how we didn’t win it but we didn’t win it because we didn’t do the basics right and we let them run past us.

“Both of their goals have come from our possession and to get done on two counter-attacks when we’re on the edge of their box is very, very disappointing.

“We weren’t anywhere near strong enough in the back areas of the pitch in terms of winning headers, getting cut, getting hold of the ball and being brave enough to make good decisions when in possession.”

Boothroyd also hinted that at least two players had received a dresssing-down in the dressing room after the game and it was notable that none of the back four joined the rest of the team for the post-match warm down.

“I’m really annoyed with one or two of the lads but I won’t name names and that will remain behind closed doors,” he added.