SAMMY Igoe believes Cherries’ current purple patch is down to “positive thinking” – even though the thought of equalling a club record has not crossed his mind.

Igoe was one of the star performers as Cherries maintained their 100 per cent start in League Two with a hard-fought 1-0 triumph over Aldershot on Tuesday.

It completed a hat-trick of league wins this term and made it six on the trot following victories over Chester, Grimsby and Morecambe at the end of last season.

The last time Cherries won seven on the spin came during the John Bond era in 1970 when Ted MacDougall’s goals fired them to promotion from the bottom flight.

“It’s usually a jinx when you find out things like that,” replied Igoe after discovering he could help Cherries write a new chapter in club history with victory at Northampton tomorrow.

“If we play as well as we can, we can beat anybody in this league. We’ve just got to keep our heads down and get on with the job in hand.

“I said it would be imperative to start the season well and, fortunately, we have. There’s a buzz around the place and we’re feeling confident. I know there will probably come a time when we will have a blip but, at the moment, we’re on a roll.

“I think the fact we started on level points has helped and there is a winning mentality about the place. We are going into games thinking we can win rather than thinking we need to get something.

“Everybody is working really hard and giving 100 per cent. Northampton will be a decent side and it’s going to be another tough game. Hopefully, we can go there and get something.”

Igoe, whose preference is to line up in central midfield, again displayed his versatility by operating on both flanks against the Shots, often trading places with Liam Feeney as boss Eddie Howe made subtle tactical changes while the match was in progress.

“We’ve got a good balance to the squad,” added Igoe, a veteran of more than 500 league appearances. “We’ve got older and younger players and everyone seems to be able to play in a few different positions.

“We can swap people around when it’s needed and everyone is happy to do that. We’re all pulling in the right direction for one cause and that’s to try to do something good this season.”

Cherries will continue to monitor the fitness of Ryan Garry and Steve Fletcher ahead of the trip to Sixfields, while Marvin Bartley (back) could return to the squad.

Garry has been forced off in their past two games after sustaining head injuries, while Fletcher’s fragile knees are a concern to boss Howe.

“It was a great effort by Fletch to get himself fit for Tuesday and to play 90 minutes,” said Howe.

“But, this early in the season, we’re going to have to be very careful with him.”