Hoskins insists Cobblers players haven’t been affected by off-field problems

This week has seen the proposed takeover of the Cobblers by an Indian consortium fall through, the Borough Council demand repayment of a £10.25m loan, and HMRC issue a winding-up petition for an unpaid tax bill.

The off-field problems are mounting, as is the pressure on beleagured chairman David Cardoza, but forward Sam Hoskins insists that it has at least been business as usual for the playing squad.

Behind the scenes there appear to have been no cutbacks, with the players for example still enjoying overnight stays for lengthy away trips, and Hoskins says ‘everything is still the same’ for the Town squad,

“As players you just have to get on and do your job on the pitch,” said Hoskins when asked if the financial uncertainty around Sixfields had affected the dressing room.

“We have to let whoever is dealing with off-field issues get on and do that.

“We are focusing on the games as they come, and aren’t letting it affect us.

“Everything is still the same for us, nothing has changed, so we are just going about our job as normal.”

The next challenge facing the players is a trip to underachieving Cambridge United.

More than 1,000 Cobblers fans are set to make the trip across the county border to back the team tomorrow, and Hoskins echoed his manager Chris Wilder’s praise for the club’s supporters.

The former Yeovil man admits he has been surprised by the size of the Cobblers’ fanbase, and says the players really appreciate their backing.

“I had only played Northampton once before I joined, but the fans home and away are brilliant, you can’t fault them,” said the 22-year-old.

“It is incredible the amount of fans that make the journeys all over the country.

“That is a massive thing for us, when you hear your fans behind you for 90 or even 95 minutes it is brilliant. I can’t fault the supporters.”