Gilligan sure of rise up league

Last updated : 02 December 2010 By BBC Sport

The midfielder has seen the Cobblers win four times in the league this season and they lie 22nd in the table.

Gilligan told BBC Radio Northampton: "Only those in the team can get us out of the situation we're in, and I don't think we'll be there come the end.

"We've got three winnable home games this month and we've proved that we can play when the pressure is on."

He added: "I don't think the league table lies.

"We've been very inconsistent this season, but it's a marathon not a sprint."

Gilligan, 23, says that any criticism the team have received only serves to motivate them.

 "We're relishing playing Stockport on Saturday and the lads are keen to prove a few people wrong," he said.

"The fans have got behind us, considering we haven't been performing well. But we played well against Gillingham and Lincoln, then there was a bit of a blip against Barnet.

"It instils the togetherness you need to get out of this situation. It proves how important it is to stick together, and the players will come out fighting."

The midfielder scored nine goals last season, but he says he is being used in a different way this campaign.

"I've laid a few on, and I've been playing out wide. I'm just happy to be in the team and I'll always give 110%. But obviously everyone can do better," he said.

Striker Adebayo Akinfenwa was instrumental in providing goal-scoring opportunities for Gilligan last season, before leaving the club in the summer and later signing for Gillingham.

"Adebayo was brilliant last season - he was a talisman for us," Gilligan said.

"But Leon McKenzie has come in and done fantastically well. He'll be a great asset."

Gilligan also revealed that the ankle injury he has been carrying for much of the season still requires surgery.

That is expected to take place at the end of the season, when the player could be out for three to five months.

"There's a bone growth on my ankle that needs to be removed, but I'll just get on with it.

"There are bigger things than Ryan Gilligan and the most important thing is the club and getting out of the situation we're in. That's what's important for me."

Source: BBC Sport

Source: BBC Sport