Northampton Town have endured a tough season back in League Two following relegation in the summer.

The Cobblers were unfortunate to fall out of the third tier and stuck by managed Dean Austin, at first. He couldn't get a talented side firing on all cylinders and was eventually dismissed.

In came veteran boss Keith Curle, the 55-year-old former Manchester City and England defender. He had driven Carlisle to the play-offs a year before and took his sixth appointment in the lower divisions.

They're currently unbeaten in eight matches and have climbed to 11th, just two wins outside the top seven. It would be a big ask to reach the play-offs now, but with the form they're in, it's possible.

The future certainly looks bright for the Cobblers, here's three reasons why.

Keith Curle

Curle is a canny manager who knows this level as well as anyone.

He took Carlisle to the top seven and he can certainly do the same at Sixfields.

High number of draws

It might not seem like a positive, but they've drawn ten at home and six away.

They're only the odd goal or two away from another six or eight points at home, the difference between top seven and mid table.

John-Joe O'Toole

The 30-year-old is a Cobblers stalwart, having made 170 league appearances for them.

He's a driving force in the middle of the park, the sort of player who can carry a promotion push if he's got decent players around him.

He'll be huge next season.