Striker Revell encouraged by Cobblers performance at Charlton

Alex Revell believes the gritty nature of Northampton's performance against Charlton Athletic coupled with the fact they came away disappointed not to win bodes well for the remainder of the season.
HIGH HOPES - Alex Revell has been delighted with the Cobblers' performances at the start of the season (Picture: Kirsty Edmonds)HIGH HOPES - Alex Revell has been delighted with the Cobblers' performances at the start of the season (Picture: Kirsty Edmonds)
HIGH HOPES - Alex Revell has been delighted with the Cobblers' performances at the start of the season (Picture: Kirsty Edmonds)

Revell’s first-half header put the Cobblers in front on Saturday before Johnnie Johnson levelled matters just after half-time and with Charlton in the ascendancy at that point, Northampton were the team under pressure

But the visitors stood firm and held on for a well-earned point, and they could have even snatched victory at the death had Alfie Potter’s effort deflected the other side of the post.

Nonetheless, it was a good point for Rob Page’s side, who travel to Oldham Athletic on Tuesday night, although Revell admitted there was a tinge of disappointment in the dressing room afterwards - which he says shows the type of mentality instilled within the squad.

“I think it was a good game for us because we’ve come to a great ground where they’re under pressure and we started really, especially after Tuesday night (at Barnsley) when we put in so much effort,” said the striker.

“I think we can be happy with the outcome, although I think the belief in the squad now is that maybe we should have won the game and that’s a great thing to have.

“We’re not here to make up the numbers.

“I thought we played some great stuff first-half and we had a couple of chances second-half so I think the squad feels we could have got the win, but to come here and get the draw with the week we have had is a really positive result.”

Two draws from two games represents a solid if unspectacular start to life back in League One for Northampton and the rush of games continues this week with the trip to Oldham.

But Revell is confident they have a squad well-equipped to deal with the demands of playing so many fixtures in such a short space of time, especially after a tough pre-season campaign.

“You realise now that pre-season was more about getting game-time and getting minutes,” he added.

“We were all disappointed by the results, but as the gaffer said it’s all about minutes and that we’ll start the season well and I think we have.

“You look around and look at people who aren’t playing and people coming off the bench, you’ve got to play well to keep your place.

“It’s a busy time of the season so we’ll need every single one of the lads.

“We’ve got some really good players and I think this first week has proved that.”

Revell, who has impressed since signing for the club in June, is satisfied with the start made by his new side this season but admits they now need that first win.

He continued: “I think we’d have taken what we’ve produced so far and now we go into this week making sure we don’t drop our standards.

“We’ve got games we want to win and if we can do that and perform like we have, hopefully we’ll be standing here in a week’s time looking more positive and thinking to ourselves ‘right, this is the way we want to start’ and we’re proving people that we deserve to be where we are.

“Of course the first win is important. It’s about going on to Tuesday, taking all the positives and putting them into a complete performance for 90 minutes.”