Leonard: Northampton loan has been top drawer

Main Club Sponsor

TICKETS

SHOP

Scottish midfielder thriving at Sixfields.

Charlie Hanson

2022-09-24T05:00:00Z

Marc Leonard has impressed with Northampton so far this season.

Marc Leonard is loving his time on loan with Northampton Town.

The 20-year-old midfielder has started six of the Cobblers’ last seven League Two games as they sit third after nine matches.

Marc admitted to having a few nerves about the move, but is delighted with his decision.

“I was nervous when I first made the move, I didn’t know what to expect,” he admitted. “The standard has been so much higher than I expected. Everything has been top drawer.

“Playing in League Two you realise how much football means to people. As a young player you just love playing, but you don’t necessarily realise what you’ve got when you’re at a Premier League club.

The midfielder joined Albion in 2018 from Hearts.

“Being at Northampton has been a real eye-opener and has exceeded all the expectations I came with, I’ve been really enjoying it.”

Leonard, who has played for Scotland at under-21 level, has relished the opportunity to prove himself.

“They’ve had the likes of Kyle Walker and Dominic Calvert-Lewin on loan, so you know you’ve got to leave any ego you have at the door and show what you can do to help the team you’re playing for.

“You’re not here to be a player from a Premier League club and prove that you’re better than everyone else, you’re here to show what you can do for Northampton and that’s what I’ve enjoyed doing.

“I was on the bench for the first two or three games watching it and soaking it in, you could see how different the level is and how quick and intense the games are for 90 minutes.

“So it’s been something that has been a huge learning curve and I have been trying to get used to it quickly so I can stay in the team. Some of these players rely on win bonusses and the team getting extra points, it’s something that has been really exciting for me.”

While the added physicality of the league has been a good challenge, seeing out games has been Marc’s biggest learning curve.

“You want to be in that competitive environment, giving a bit. I haven’t had any nastiness and after the game you have a laugh and a joke, but there’s not been anything too serious. It’s something you’ve got to get used to, it’s a physical game and I am loving it.

“The managing the game part is what I have really had to learn though. Whether you’re winning or losing, you need to know when to change the approach like dropping to get the ball off the keeper from a goal-kick when you’re 2-1 up with ten minutes to go and everyone looking at you saying ‘don’t start that!’

“Winning little fouls and killing off time, that’s something that Gary Dicker taught us a lot last year, it’s something we got a taste of when we played with him and I am definitely putting it into practice now.”