Saturday's much-needed home win against Dagenham & Redbridge, the first of the season at Sixfields, marked the end of the opening 10 game period of the League Two season and the first real marker of the campaign.
It ended with Northampton in 17th place in the table with 12 points, having won 3, drawn 3 and lost 4 of their games to date, scoring 12 goals and conceding 13.
Somewhat obscured by the famous League Cup win at Liverpool, at the same stage of last season the Cobblers had only taken 10 points from 10 games, winning 2, drawing 4 and losing 4.
Johnson believes League Two this season will be a tighter, more muddled affair than last year and the table bears him out at this stage. Leaders Morecambe have 20 points from their 10 games and have already been beaten twice.
Consistency is the key and a haul of 20 points from their next 10 games would put Northampton in a healthy position come the midway stage of the season.
Check out the League Two form guide at http://www.northamptontown-mad.co.uk/footydb/loadform.asp