Cox speaks after Northampton fixture

First team manager Neil Cox provided his reaction to iFollow Iron after his side played for over 70 minutes with ten men and lost 2-0 at Northampton Town.

Danny Rose and Sam Hoskins were on target for the home side as they took the share of the points at Sixfields Stadium. Emmanuel Onariase was also shown a straight red card on 20 minutes after he denied an obvious goalscoring opportunity.

On the defeat, Cox said: “After the sending off it was difficult. We had a gameplan and we knew in the first 15 minutes they were going to try and get it in behind us. Manny [Onariase] got himself sent off and then it was going to be difficult, but we got organised and managed to keep it at 0-0 at half time.

“In the second half we came out in a different way and tried to be braver in possession and play through the thirds. Then we conceded a goal from the counter-attack which we shouldn’t be doing - we should be organised, and should be getting closer to them.”

On the red card, the manager said: “I thought it was a definite red card. It went over Manny’s [Onariase’s] head, and he didn’t react quick enough, it bounced, and the lad was in front of him. Manny decided to make a challenge and the lad went down. It’s a definite sending off.”

There were shouts that the home side’s first goal was offside. However, Cox commented: “No, it’s not offside, we’ve had a look. I am really disappointed with the goal we conceded because we’re away from home and we need to defend better than that.

“We had kept them quiet and they hadn’t really given us any problems (after the goal). We went forward and to be counterattacked with ten men is not the ideal way to go. We chased the game a little bit and lost 2-0 which disappoints me.”

George Taft was subbed off late on after picking up an injury. On the situation, the manager said: “Taft has got a bit of a of a problem with his calf. He tried to run it off, but we’re hoping it’s not going to be too long. He is in there with treatment now and he will get treatment on the way home, and then we will have a look on Monday morning and see how we go from there.”

Finally, he said: “We go again. We get together again on Monday, and we go over the video, and get back on the training pitch and have a good week’s training."

See much more from Neil Cox on iFollow Iron.