The buck stops with me, says Kettering Town boss Cox

The Poppies have picked up just three points from their first five league matches
Paul Cox was far from impressed with what he saw as Kettering Town were beaten 2-1 by Curzon Ashton at Latimer ParkPaul Cox was far from impressed with what he saw as Kettering Town were beaten 2-1 by Curzon Ashton at Latimer Park
Paul Cox was far from impressed with what he saw as Kettering Town were beaten 2-1 by Curzon Ashton at Latimer Park

Paul Cox gave a strong hint that changes may have to be made to his Kettering Town squad after they suffered a third defeat in a row in the Vanarama National League North.

The Poppies were beaten 2-1 by Curzon Ashton in treacherous conditions at Latimer Park, despite taking an early lead thanks to a Connor Kennedy header.

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Dominic Knowles levelled for the visitors and Curzon won it after the break when Darren Stephenson fired home in the penalty area.

Kettering celebrate after Connor Kennedy headed them in frontKettering celebrate after Connor Kennedy headed them in front
Kettering celebrate after Connor Kennedy headed them in front

The defeat has left Kettering struggling with just three points from their first five matches.

And Cox knows the spotlight is on him to put things right.

“It’s a result that has probably ticked a few boxes in my head,” the Poppies boss said.

People will understand what that means in the next week or so.

Connor Kennedy's header finds the net to give the Poppies an early leadConnor Kennedy's header finds the net to give the Poppies an early lead
Connor Kennedy's header finds the net to give the Poppies an early lead
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“Maybe we need a bit more knowhow, maybe we need a few more players with an understanding of this level now.

“The buck stops with me. We can come off the back of games with AFC Fylde, Gloucester City and Southport and say fine lines have cost us against teams up there.

“But today, I didn’t think we really got going and if we keep making basic mistakes then I have got to do something about it.

“That’s up to me and I will act on it and the quicker I do it, the better.

Dominic Knowles scores Curzon Ashton's equaliser at Latimer ParkDominic Knowles scores Curzon Ashton's equaliser at Latimer Park
Dominic Knowles scores Curzon Ashton's equaliser at Latimer Park
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“We play on a pitch that is uneven, which is a bit of an understatement, and the conditions were tough but we haven’t got to grips with that and all the basics of winning a game on our own pitch in these conditions.

“We have conceded two sloppy goals and we haven’t had the ruthlessness, particularly in the second half, to go and score a goal.

“The defending for their second goal was shocking. We are talking about basics.

“People can forgive us for the games we have had with teams towards the top but this was a different kind of game. We should know how to play these conditions. You want players to understand how to adapt.

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“We had a team come here who were better in the conditions on our pitch than us and I have to question that.

“I have to question how I pick the team. In the games we have lost, it has been fine lines but it’s fine lines that have gone against us.

“I have got to put something in place that turns it the other way and I will do it. I have to be ruthless now.”

Cox, meanwhile, confirmed recent signing Johnny Hunt has now left the club after making just one appearance in the 1-0 home defeat to Southport.

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The Kettering manager added: “Johnny isn’t going to be with us.

“When we spoke to him and his representative there was something in place but that’s been broken.

“I have to be 100 per cent honest with the boys I have here and I had to make a decision with Johnny. I want players who want to play for this club, not those who are going to come here and wait for another scenario to come along.”

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