Matchwinner JP Pittman on Northampton
Jon-Paul P Pittman was the match winner on Saturday as United beat Northampton 2-1. JP, just back from injury, netted his first of the season to clinch the three points and there was no disguising the smile as he talked to Yellow Player afterwards:
“We really needed it and there is no hiding how important it was to win the game. I’m really proud of everybody because we all dug in, everyone at the club, and we managed to get the result so I’m very pleased.”
An astute pass from Peter Leven gave JP a run at goal for the winner, and we asked what was in his head as he raced clear?
“I was just thinking about shooting. There have been a couple of opportunities in the last couple of games where I have looked for a pass or a cross or whatever, but before I went on the gaffer just said to be direct so I thought ”I’m clear now, I just need to go and finish this”, and I was happy to see it go in.”
The goal had an extra significance as it came in front of the superb United fans on Ultimate Support Saturday:
“I’d never scored at that end before so that was great. I’m really happy to have done that, but more pleased that we got the win” JP said.
It was a team effort and the striker was quick to praise United’s centre halves for the way they handled a dangerous looking Northampton side:
“I told Jake and Raynesy after the game how well they did against Akinfenwa because he is a big unit but he is intelligent with it as well. They managed him really well and deserve a lot of credit.”
Having come back from a lengthy spell on the sidelines himself, Jon-Paul believes that the return of other key players will boost United, as will a home victory:
“The win will help, and so will the bodies we have got coming back into the side. There is more competition and it just bolsters things that little bit more. You are safe in numbers aren’t you so we will be happy when they get back.”
See the whole interview plus video exclusives with James Constable and Mickey Lewis, plus match highlights, in Yellow Player right now.