Boothroyd ready to get tough with Cobblers ahead of Bradford City clash (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Aidy Boothroyd ready to get tough with Cobblers ahead of Bradford City clash

6:10pm Monday 22nd October 2012 in Sport By Simon Parker, Bradford City Reporter

Aidy Boothroyd will demand a response from shell-shocked Northampton when he tackles his boyhood club tomorrow night.

The Eccleshill-born Cobblers boss was stunned by their 4-0 capitulation at Barnet on Friday night – the basement club’s first win of the season.

Now Boothroyd is ready to get tough with his players after the dire defeat ahead of their clash with City.

“We have to look at ourselves and I won’t shirk that, because I’m not that sort of person,” he said.

“Did we let in four really poor goals? Yes we did. Could we have done better? Of course. The players are here to learn and I’ve got to stand here and take responsibility for that.

“We’re a mid-table team who have made massive steps but we are still not consistent enough and until we make good decisions in possession and make things difficult for our opponents, then we’ll go on winning and losing games.”

Northampton have been hampered by a lengthy injury list. Right back Chris Hackett joined a casualty line-up that already includes Luke Guttridge, David Artell, Ben Harding, Shane Higgs, John Johnson and Danny East.

Boothroyd said: “Chris Hackett felt his groin but I haven’t made excuses in the 11 months I’ve been here and I’m not going to start now. Everybody gets injuries and everybody has to ride them out.”

Northampton have lost three of their last four games but only leaders Gillingham have beaten them at Sixfields.