Chris Wilder takes charge of his first home game this Saturday against Plymouth Argyle having seen his new side earn a creditable draw at Cheltenham last weekend and having made a fifth signing since his appointment with the arrival of defender Gregor Robertson.
But Town, on 23 points, remain 6 adrift of safety with only games to play.
Over the past three seasons, the teams occupying the second relegation spot have had 51, 44 and 47 points respectively. Even looking at the lowest of those three figures would still leave the Cobblers looking to get more wins in their final 19 games than they have managed in 27 to date.
The League Two table is congested, however and from Newport County in 8th place downwards to Torquay United in 23rd only 10 points separates 16 teams.