Source: FOOTYMAD
2010: Sampson benefits from Cobblers stability
Ian Sampson is slowly moving up the list of longest serving managers in English football The League Manager Association currently has the Northampton boss as number 44 on their list, testament to the precarious nature of the job given that Sampson has only been in the hotseat at Sixfields since October 2009 on a permanent basis. League Two is more precarious than most, with a constant merry-go-round of managerial hiring and firing and with a more trigger happy chairman, Sampson could have been added to the list of sackings earlier in the current campaign. After the heroics of the League Cup win at Anfield, Town's form in the league fell by the wayside, culminating in two embarrasing defeats, one when a three-goal lead was lost at home to Hereford and secondly when fellow strugglers Barnet whacked in four at Underhill. But David Cardoza has continued to remain fully behind his manager, backing Sampson in the transfer market to boot. A brave fightback at Rotherham has been followed by two more wins and a much healthier looking league table, with only four points separating Northampton from the top six. With the experience of Malcolm Crosby as his number two and a squad that when fully-fit looks capable of matching any in the division, Sampson will be hoping to push on into 2011.
