The men in white coats haven't been spotted in Earl Street recently, which given my record in bad predictions perhaps isn't that surprising.

But even the Chron canteen lady gave me a sideways glance when I let slip my latest opinion on how the forthcoming season was going to unfold for the Cobblers.

Last year my bizarre prediction that Tony Pulis would be the first manager of the 07-08 campaign to be sacked (I'm guessing the Rothmans fell open on the Stoke City page when I was mulling over that particular decision) happily went unnoticed by everyone except the boys at the Evening Telegraph, who ran it in it entirely convicting eight-point lettering.

This time around, I'm once again turning to what some may feel is an outlandish call but one I have full conviction in - the Cobblers are going to finish in the top six in Coca-Cola League One.

This is a verdict based entirely on the strength of a fully-fit squad, and could easily unravel if the injuries and bad luck begin to pile up.

Although having said that, there's no reason why they should - last year only Chris Doig was out for an extended period of time, and the likes of Gabor Gyepes, Giles Coke and Adebayo Akinfenwa, who have all had horrific injuries in the past, are more the victims of one-off problems rather than crocks who never leave the physio's side.

Influential players like Mark Hughes and Mark Bunn got their only injuries of the whole campaign right at the end of it, and the most consistent performer of the past three years - Jason Crowe - was virtually ever present.

Bunn is possibly the best goalkeeper in the division now that Kieren Westwood has been flogged by Carlisle, although Casper Ankergren of Leeds might have something to say about such an assessment, and in the Hughes-Doig-Gyepes triumvirate the defence is as strong as it has been since the days of Ian Sampson and Ray Warburton.

A fully-fit Akinfenwa is a player to be genuinely feared, and if Leon Constantine can recover his form of two years ago (and Stuart Gray's ability to resurrect the powers of players is proven) then they could form a lethal combination.

Akinfenwa also brings a lot to the table away from the pitch as he is someone who commanded near-instant cult status with the Sixfields supporters and who could take that adulation up a level with enough goals this term. His re-signing in the summer was crucial.

Danny Jackman was a revelation in midfield last season, and will be a year older, wiser and tougher. He didn't win the player-of-the-year award last season for nothing.

Personally I feel the club did very well to keep hold of Jackman over the close season. Press boxes from Hartlepool to Bournemouth were filled with comments from the home hacks along the lines of 'that little fella in midfield is pretty good, isn't he?'

But, in my opinion, the real key to success in the next nine months will be Giles Coke. There were times last year - Port Vale away, notably - when his performances channelled the spirit and industry of the great Roy Hunter, and not the post-injury Hunter either, but the 1997 model that struck fear into the hearts of teams across the land.

Anyone who knows me knows that is not a comparison I make lightly - Hunter is a staple in midfield whenever I'm nominating 'all-time' Town XIs, and there are few I have enjoyed watching play as much as the great number 11.

Coke, with his ability to tackle, drive forward from deep, beat defenders for pace and score goals with either foot, could well surpass Hunter, and if he does this on a consistent basis, there is no reason why this team cannot reach the play-offs.

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