Cobblers fans preview the new season - and give their predicted finishing position

Hopes and expectations can often fluctuate among a fan base before the start of the new season, but usually not to the extent we’ve seen this year.

The objective for Cobblers in previous campaigns has been clear - either win promotion from League Two or avoid relegation in League One. This time around, however, there’s a difference of opinion. Some think a top seven push should again be the goal, some would be content with mid-table consolidation, while others fear a potential relegation battle.

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To gauge a sense of the current mood, we asked fans on social media to give their predicted finishing position and a reason why. The average finishing position of all of these was... 11th.

Here were the responses...

@RodneyMarshall1

3rd.

I like the new manager's dogged, methodical approach.

I expect some of the players who were underwhelming in EFL1 to step up to the plate and be far more effective in EFL2.

New additions include some genuine gamechangers.

New era?

@DrillingCobbler

I think it’s entirely down to the investment. Goes through, top3. Goes belly’s up, bottom6.

If I had to stick my neck out today I’d say 3rd…

I think if it doesn’t happen, it will entirely de-rail us. We’ve lost 13 competitive matches on the spin, we need a big circuit breaker!

@Nelza82

9th, at the moment. Not enough goals or creativity I think. Lots will change though so it’s hard to predict!

@Rico82_NT

19th, not sure people realise how unprecedentedly bad last season was the hangover could be big. Plus we don't seem to have addressed the creativity issues or the defending crosses issue. Anything above 15 will be a decent first year.

@AlexButcher12

Said it last year and still maintain it’s one of the worst NTFC squads of my lifetime.

Bottom 6 but hopefully enough to keep our heads above water. An optimistic 19th.

@cobblerpat

If we have a Striking Striker 3rd.If we end up with Non Striking Strikers again 14th.

@ss_fitnesscoach

Mid table. Hope investment happens but people getting carried away on what that will bring in last weeks of the window - unless we want to get fleeced

Obvious we need more up top, but also in midfield. Lack of pace at centre back a concern and no left back cover also a concern

@JA_Dally

As it stands today, definitely bottom half. The squad hasn't changed enough from last year's debacle and we're short of any sort of quality cover if an injury crisis strikes. A bit of investment however...

@_seanduffy

14th. Fresh young managers with a modern style of football don't tend to do well straight away in pragmatic L2. Might take a while to get going

@Martynhill583

I think there is a play off push in us, so 5th for me. The core of the team is good we might be a bit short in depth with some positions though , the not the top twenty pod cast described mcgeeehan as our talisman, 😂

@gazw2004

With the squad as it stands mid table. 2-3 decent signings before the deadline and a couple in January could hopefully see us pushing the playoffs.

@SimplyFred

16th as it stands, 10th if we get some more investment in forward areas which will improve us rapidly. We still need about four signings ideally. Goals still a worry, who's going to create?

I think & hope fans will be patient, it's about stopping the rot & providing a platform.

@johnor76

Top 10. Cos I'm hopeful we get some more good players in this next 3 weeks

@paulwaterton

Need some signings. Will be happy with 7th after we get reinforcements in the January window.

@KeilanHamm76699

8th, I think we have a good enough squad to keep us well away from a relegation battle but a couple more additions before the end of the window or in January will have us up there fighting for play offs

@newc61

top 10 would be good , maybe a push for play offs a bonus , like all managers and players need alittle time to settle in

@davidkn85

12th. That’s with investment before end of transfer window

@RobSapwell

Regardless of extra investment, which by the looks of things will only start to effect the January transfer window, I reckon 7th. I have faith in Hogg’s new order and we look organised. Just need a couple more flair players….

@Tozzinator1

6th. Poor start, early December be struggling, 18th. Put on a good run after christmas

@JustSpringY84

11th, I think lots of things are changing and time is needed. It'll be a season of learning and then hopefully with 3 solid transfer windows we'll be ready to push on next summer for promotion. We never go straight back up, it takes a couple of seasons to settle and rebuild