Northampton Town boss Kevin Nolan has explained why he brought on two centre-backs late in Saturday’s 2-0 loss at Blackpool, even while his side was chasing the game.
With a tough January schedule and several upcoming fixtures, Nolan says his decisions were part of a broader tactical and squad-management plan.
Blackpool took control early, with Zac Ashworth breaking the deadlock, and a second-half penalty from Ashley Fletcher sealed the 2-0 win at Bloomfield Road.
It was Fletcher’s 18th goal of the season, keeping Blackpool in strong form in League One.
Northampton made several substitutions as the game progressed. On the hour, Tom Eaves replaced Sam Hoskins to inject energy into the attack.
Fifteen minutes later, Jack Vale and Kamarai Swyer made way for Michael Jacobs and Elliott List, providing fresh creativity and attacking options.
Shortly after, in a bold move, Terry Taylor and Conor McCarthy were replaced by centre-back duo Jordan Willis and Max Dyche.
Introducing two defenders while chasing the game surprised some supporters but reflected Nolan’s careful management of discipline and fitness.
Nolan confirmed that multiple factors influenced his decisions, including upcoming fixtures and player fitness:
“There was a bit of that (thinking ahead to Tuesday),” said Nolan.
“Terry was having a bit of a tough time in there and Conor was already on a yellow card and I just didn’t want him getting a red card and losing him, especially as he’s only just come back.”
By bringing on Willis and Dyche, Nolan aimed to stabilise the defence while protecting key players from suspension during a congested run of matches.
He also addressed Jack Vale’s substitution, noting that the squad is still regaining match sharpness after injuries:
“Valey’s still getting up to scratch so we took him off but I thought he looked a lot sharper and a lot better today… we’re a squad that has been hampered by injuries here and there and we’re trying to get everyone back up to speed.”
Nolan stressed the importance of belief and confidence in the squad, especially during such a demanding period:
“As I always say, I believe in this squad and I have done since we assembled it in the summer and what we have to do now is keep that belief and it’s my job to instil that belief into the players, but they also have to believe in themselves.“
“Blackpool was never going to be easy with the resources they have and the players they can bring in and all that type of stuff, but once we get back to what we are and who we are, we will be OK.”
Nolan’s emphasis on mindset complements his tactical thinking, highlighting the balance between short-term decisions in a single match and long-term squad management.
Looking ahead to a difficult run of fixtures, 10 games in 30 days Nolan shared optimism that injured players would return soon:
“I’ve not spoke to our strength and conditioning coach yet, he’s the one looking after the injured players, but I’m hoping we’re going to see them all back on the pitch within the next week.
We need them there for us because it’s a really difficult run coming up. Blackpool was the first of 10 games in about 30 days so we have a lot to handle in the next month or so and we’ll need everyone.”
The manager’s approach demonstrates a pragmatic balance between chasing results and protecting the squad, taking into account injuries, fatigue, and upcoming fixtures.
While introducing two centre-backs when trailing may have surprised some fans, Nolan’s reasoning shows a manager thinking ahead, managing resources carefully, and balancing immediate tactical needs with the long-term health of his squad.
Northampton now face a crucial week of fixtures, and keeping the squad fresh and united will be key to their League One ambitions.
