Aidy Boothroyd believes Adebayo Akinfenwa proved he is ‘better than league two’ class after watching the striker plunder the first hat-trick of his career.
Akifenwa was in irresistable form at Accrington, scoring three times as the Cobblers recovered from a 2-1 deficit to run out 4-2 winners.
Also on the scoresheet was Jake Robinson, who was in the matchday squad just days after finishing a loan spell at Luton Town, and who came off the bench to score a second goal in as many games of an intriguing season for the striker.
But the afternoon belonged to Akinfenwa, who scored two headers and a volley to complete a first hat-trick in senior football.
Boothroyd says the player’s strong recent form – he also scored at York City on Tuesday night and now has 10 for the campaign – is a result of a renewed application to the club’s methods.
“When we first started the season I thought he had lost a little bit of the things that make him good,” said Boothroyd.
“But he seems to be thriving at the moment. He was out of the team, now he’s in the team, he’s running about and proving his worth and I think that’s a must.
“I won’t let Bayo get away with anything, and I won’t any of the other players either. If they apply themselves they can be as good as they want to be.
“I think he (Akinfenwa) is a fantastic player. I think he is better than league two and I think that about a lot of our lads.
“He likes his lie-ins but it’s a bit like your kids. I don’t give my kids what they want, I give them what they need.
“I always listen to them but at the end of it, daddy has to decide and I’ll do the same with the lads here.”
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