Northampton defender John Curtis insists that caretaker manager Ian Sampson has the full backing of the Cobblers squad as he bids to become the permanent replacement for Stuart Gray at Sixfields.

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Sampson's reign got off to a dreadful start with a 5-2 thrashing at Notts County but Curtis believes that the former captain has the players behind him.

Curtis said: "He's got everyone's support. Everyone got on well with Sammo when he was assistant manager and that hasn't changed.

"He's a likeable character and everyone respects him, he's certainly got the respect of the players at this club.

"Obviously he needs everyone's help. Everyone at the club needs to be behind him to make sure he gets results but anyone who judges a manager after only two games is a bit foolish in my opinion.

"It's going to take a long time to judge Ian Sampson as a football manager. He's got a fantastic football brain, he knows the game inside out and he knows the club inside out."