Dean Austin expects Northampton to improve after draw at Carlisle
Posted Sunday, August 12, 2018 by PA
Northampton manager Dean Austin told his side’s supporters that better times lie ahead after the 2-2 draw at Carlisle.
Jamie Devitt gave Carlisle the lead on the half-hour with a superb 25-yard effort, but Kevin van Veen’s header sent the teams in level at the break.
When Matt Crooks scored Northampton’s second in the 62nd minute it looked as if the visitors were on course for victory, only for Hallam Hope to race through the middle and equalise a minute later.
Austin admitted he was disappointed with a draw and said: “A point is about all I am pleased with and I feel disappointed in terms of the way we played.
“We created enough chances to win easily. It’s testimony to those lads in the dressing room that they feel gutted and not happy with themselves and each other.
“We will be fine. There was a bit of basketball stuff in the last 10 minutes and we gave the ball away a bit cheaply.
“It would have been a long journey home if we had continued like the first half when we were not good enough.”
Austin admitted that, following last season’s relegation, some fans saw his side as “soft centres”.
But he said: “This group will never give in, they don’t know when they are beaten.
“We are creating chances and just need a bit of composure in the final third. I feel for the supporters because we wanted three points for them and today was a good opportunity to pick up points and we came up a little bit short.”
Austin came across to the travelling fans and made a “keep your chin up” gesture at the end of the game.
“I was saying sorry that we didn’t get three points,” he said.
The Cobblers manager believes he has a potent striker in Van Veen, who netted his side’s opening goal.
Austin said: “He can score 25 goals, he is that good. But he has got to be relied on by his team-mates and put a shift in for the team. He did that today and got his reward for it.”
Carlisle manager John Sheridan was left waiting for his first win in charge, but was full of praise for his team.
He said: “I’m pleased with the performance and only disappointed that it was a point. With that sort of performance we will win games.
“When we pass the ball we look like a really good team. When we went 2-1 behind it was a bit of a downer, but the way we came back was excellent.
“We scored two very good goals. It was a brilliant strike by Devitt and the second goal was just as good.
“We showed great character and playing like that we will win more than we lose. The players were brave and I like that – they showed a bit of grit.”
- Tag:
Photos
More»
Meet Eva Murati, the glamorous UCL presenter
Friday April 26 2024
[PICTURE SPECIAL] Brighton 0 - 4 Manchester City
Friday April 26 2024
Meet Jude Bellingham's stunning girlfriend Laura
Thursday April 25 2024
Your Say