The previous two summers have seen, first, Gary Johnson and then Aidy Boothroyd look to make their own mark on the squads they inherited in the wake of narrow escapes from relegation out of the Football League.
Now the Cobblers, of course, have a group of players who finished in the play-off places in League Two and a manager with a burning desire to make up for their Wembley heartbreak.
That should lead to a summer of evolution in Boothroyd's squad with the majority of his key men under contract lock and key.
Clarke Carlisle's retirement may have been an unscheduled blow, Bayo Akinfenwa's goals (from the first half of the season at least) will need to be replaced and a new goalkeeper is a priority but Town look in good shape to continue their progress from 2012/13.