On Thursday 2nd March NTFC Supporters Limited staged the first Open Forum of 2006 in the Players Lounge at Sixfields Stadium.
Sean Dyche and Pedj Bojic were the guest speakers answering supporters'
questions.
The forums are open to all supporters and entrance is free of charge.
NTFC Supporters Limited would like to thank Pedj Bojic and Sean Dyche for attending; Gareth Willsher for the Questions and answers provided and also thanks to all the supporters that attended, NTFC also passed on their thanks.
A brief resume can be found below:
The first question was an apology from a supporter to the players for the stick the players received against Torquay United. The gentleman concerned explained that he felt a lot of the reaction was frustration about the game and the fact that the Cobblers were struggling to break down a stubborn defence.
Q: We spend a lot of time watching the Cobblers play with a packed defence, even at home. When defenders get the ball and there is no one up field to pass to, how frustrating is that?
SD: It’s a team game and we defend as a team, just as the successful teams do. Chelsea have plenty of attacking players but they also defend in numbers. We have kept plenty of clean sheets this season and the breeds confidence. No one will lie down or make it easy for us in any game. Early in the season a few teams turned us over on breakaway goals. It has been tough to break teams down, but if you score early it changes the game.
Torquay was a frustrating game but we won and at this stage that is the be all and end all. We defend when we have to and attack when we have to. The manager has built a real team ethic and we all have our jobs, both defensively and when we attack. I have read some things about it being a poor game at Wrexham and I was amazed by that. We had a lot of injuries but we knocked the ball around well and created a lot of chances.
Q: Colin Calderwood has often said the players want success more than the fans. I can accept they might want it as much, but I don’t accept the players want it more.
SD: Success means so much to us players because it is our livelihood and therefore it means everything. Success knocks on to other things and we do have an affinity for the club. Success means such a lot to players and fans.
At the moment, as a Cobblers player, Northampton Town is my life, as it is for a lot of the supporters.
PB: Northampton is also my life at the minute and we are all giving 200% to make promotion possible. For the fans it is their passion and for the players it is our jobs and our task to make that success happen.
Q: Many fans think that Sean has been a better player in a defensive three than a four. Do you agree?
SD: The manager has got a system that works. I have played in a back four for most of my career with short spells playing in a back five. Whatever happens it is how the team works best, rather than what serves individuals best. The stats prove we are better with a back five than with a 4-4-2 formation. As for myself I don’t feel too different in either formation but it is not about me, it is about the team getting results.
Q: How good is Luke Chambers and how good can he be?
SD: He has all the attributes. He is strong, physically big and he has pace.
When you move up the leagues players are mentally tougher and there is a big difference playing in front of 5,000 fans in League 2 than there is playing in front of 20,000 in the Championship. I think he is mentally strong enough to play at a higher level, and hopefully he can do that here. The other bonus he has is that he has played a lot of games for someone of his age.
Q: A lot of the teams who went up last year are doing well in League One. Do you think we can be successful if we go up?
PB: We have played against teams from higher divisions in cup games and have done well. Seeing the teams that went up last year doing well fills us with hope should we go up. We are a good footballing side and I think you get more of a chance to play football in League One and that should suit us if we can get up.
Q: Has Pedj experienced much of a culture shock when coming to England having played football in Australia?
PB: Back home I was playing 13 games a year and by the spring last season I had played something like 40 odd games and was feeling burnt out. This year I have more experience, have had a full pre-season behind me and feel much sharper and fitter.
Q: What persuaded you to originally sign for the club?
PB: My dream was always to play in England. Northampton Town offered me a trial but when I came over for the trial I did not know what to expect. I was really shocked to see how high the standard was and how good the facilities were here. Luckily I did enough in my trial to get offered a contract and I was pleased to sign.
SD: A new manager came in at Watford and I wasn’t really in his plans. I was lucky enough to be offered terms by a few clubs but I wanted to give my all to a club that I was local to. I knew what the manager was trying to do here and I wanted to be part of that.
Q: Pedj, what is your preferred position?
PB: Back home I have played on the right of a back three or a right back.
When Sean was injured I was happy playing in the back three for 8 or 9 games and I also enjoyed myself at left wing back when I have played there. I really don’t mind and I am lucky that I can play in more than one position.
Q: Who do you think our biggest rivals are for automatic promotion?
SD: Based on current form, Carlisle United will be a big danger, but any of the top five are a huge threat and it could be any three from those 5. We need to try and get and keep players fit and if we can I am sure we can go up.
Q: Pedj, what is your work permit situation?
PB: To apply for a work permit you need an offer of work and at the moment my contract is up in the summer so until we agree a contract I don’t have that offer. We have started to talk and hopefully things will be resolved in the next few weeks but at the moment it is all up in the air a little.
