On Thursday, Cobblers boss Stuart Gray attended the latest Open Forum meeting of NTFC Supporters Limited. For those who were unable to attend, a brief round up can be found below;

Q: How do you think the season is going so far?
SG: Compared to this stage 12 months ago we are doing better but the big disappointment was obviously the Milton Keynes game. We had won the previous two games but at Milton Keynes we just didn't perform. The first half at MK was not so bad, but we never got going in the second half. We played poorly and got what we deserved. The game was always going to be settled by a mistake or a set play and that is what happened. If we can win this Saturday it will be a half decent start again.

Q: What is the possibility of improving the squad?
SG: We are working on that and it is always an ongoing process. Bringing players in can be a difficult and lengthy process. I have a budget to work to and if you are talking about Championship players, more often than not, they are on 3 or 4 times as much as most of the players at League One level. A lot of it comes down to knowledge, scouting and contacts. We have had a policy of taking a punt on injured lads, and offering them a chance to get their careers going. We did that with Giles Coke, Gabor Gyepes, Bayo etc and if you think their attitude is good and they are willing to do the hard work then you think it might be worth the gamble. So far our decisions have been correct. The important thing is to bring in hungry players with the right attitude.

Q: Are we likely to see Joe Benjamin coming through into the first team?
SG: He is only a second year scholar but he is a striker who is strong and quick and different to what we have. He has been training with the first team and he is in our thoughts and he may get his chance at some stage.

Q: What is the position with Mark Bunn's contract?
SG: Mark is under contract for the rest of the season and we are talking with his agent about a new deal. I think and hope Mark is keen to stay but we will have to see. I think he is the best goalkeeper in the league and I am convinced about that. He could be a Bosman next summer and we have to consider that but hopefully we can agree a new contract with him.

Q: Are you looking to send Chris Dunn out on loan to gain experience?
SG: He will only go out on loan if he is guaranteed first team football and if we can get another keeper in to cover Mark Bunn. His attitude is spot on and he is a great lad but he does need to play first team football. It is something we are considering but make no mistake, he is not happy just to sit as a number 2, he is pushing Mark Bunn for his place.

Q: Are you looking at a striker or a defender to replace Gabor Gyepes?
SG: We are looking at both positions but it is a frustrating process. I am hoping something will happen with both a striker and a defender but we will have to wait and see what happens. We are in the hands of other clubs and other managers and how long that takes is out of our control. We will wait for the right player if we have to.

Q: Do you have a scouting system in place?
SG: The youth system have their own scouts looking for players and most of our work at first team level is on potential targets and future opposition. We have scouts based in different areas of the country and we also use a company called the Scouting Network who help us with technical analysis on future opponents. We watch games most days of the week, including a lot of Premier League and Championship reserve matches.

Q: What is the progress of the current youth players?
SG; We had an intake of nine new players at youth level this summer and already some of them have caught my eye. Some of them, including Joe Benjamin and Paul Walker (a goalkeeper who has recently been in the Wales squad) have been training with the first team.

Q: Giles Coke reminds us of Richard Hill in the 1986/87 season with the way he strides through from midfield. What is his current fitness level?
SG: In pre-season Giles was firing on all cylinders but he rocked his ankle in training the week before the season. He is a player who causes teams problems and he times his runs very well. He is brave and has a lot of desire. He is now fully fit and he is very much in my thoughts.