At the stage where managers often say the league table starts to reflect the genuine chances of each team, Chris Wilder can reflect on a reasonably good start given the two factors that are currently hampering the manager's efforts.
Off-field issues surrounding the proposed takeover of the club may or may not be having an effect but Wilder has hinted that the uncertainty over Town's long-term future has been a negative.
More immediate are the injury and suspension problems that led to another patched-up side being named on Tuesday and a second start of the season for out-of-favour midfielder John-Joe O'Toole.
He will have impressed watching scouts with Northampton's equalising goal as they battled to gain a valuable away point but told BBC Local Radio afterwards that his future still lies away from Sixfields.