Northampton 'buoyant' despite relegation worries

Interim boss Colin Calderwood insists there is a "really buoyant" mood in the Northampton Town squad despite being on the brink of relegation.

The Cobblers will go down to League Two if they fail to win at Luton Town on Wednesday - and even if they do, a point for AFC Wimbledon against Stockport would almost certainly seal their fate.

Northampton have won only one of their last 21 matches - and lost all five since technical director Calderwood was put in charge following the sacking of Kevin Nolan on 9 March.

The Scot told BBC Radio Northampton that the squad's attitude "doesn't bear any relation to our situation and the results we've had".

He said: "Resilience is an important factor when you're a sportsman - you've got to come back from defeat and disappointment and we are right in the midst of that at the minute.

"As much as we can, we look forward to a really exciting game away at Luton and we'll try and put some of the energy and good stuff that we've shown (in training) this week on the pitch in the match."

Northampton have not played since a 3-1 home defeat by Wigan on 6 April and will be up against a Luton side looking for a place in the play-offs, under Jack Wilshere, after lifting the Vertu Trophy at Wembley on Sunday.

Despite that, and Luton's four wins in their last five league games, Calderwood wants his side to play on the front foot as much as possible and try to create more goal opportunities.

They have only scored 34 goals in 41 League One matches this term, the second-lowest tally in the division.

"[We need] to have more efforts at goal, put the opposition under threat, make them defend the box, whether that be off crosses or dribbles, and make sure numbers keep arriving in there.

"We are going to try and upset the applecart a little bit and start to get a bit of happiness and success and joy on the football pitch," Calderwood said.

"The boys certainly haven't given up, they're really applying themselves, trying to get better - small individual improvement leading into team improvement, that's what we're striving for.

"It's quite interesting to watch and doesn't surprise me because if you take a backward step or switch off, it's a real assassination of your own personality and character - I don't see that at all."

Luton won 1-0 at Northampton in October and also beat them in the Trophy semi-finals at Kenilworth Road last month.

Calderwood added: "They stretched us in lots of moments and I expect more of the same. Is there a more awkward game to go into? Probably not after the weekend."