FL2: Northampton v Torquay Utd - 24 August 13, 3pm.

Just like the old boy on another site I like to be "on high" on the halfway line. But I make an exception when watching Torquay United away. And that's the trouble sitting behind the goal at Northampton: they always seem to be coming towards us with long high balls and the rest. But yesterday it never felt so much of an aerial barrage as it did on Good Friday last. Slowly the penny dropped that Northampton really were quite ordinary.

Not that I felt too perky at half-time. I was, instead, of a mind that there might not be too much to excite or move me on my travels with Torquay United this season. Early days but already that little tug of needing to re-assured. Morecambe was a curate's egg: bad in places; good in others. I came away from there upbeat. Eventually. Then news of last week's disappointment and a keener desire than usual to get to yesterday's game to learn more. It's a time of the season for me when curiosity and contemplation is the order of the day.

And what do I get at half-time but a distinct feeling of déjà vu. Morecambe again. An ordinary home side bettering a Torquay team that only appeared to have eight or nine functioning players. But, once again, a change of pace and style in the second half. Better than a fortnight ago and, once more, forty-five minutes of football that was far superior to most of the matches I saw last year. Ball at the heart of many moves whereas he'd previously looked forlorn. Harding in it more; Hawley the man with - as we've said before (and will surely do again) -"nous". Already I'm expectant each time the ball is near him. It's not so much an anticipation of him dazzling but doing precisely the right thing.

Perm one or two from Cameron, Chappell and Bodin. A fortnight ago I suggested that Cameron and Chappell might be passing the baton throughout the season with neither having sufficient verve to get over the line in an individual race. On yesterday's evidence Chappell "has it" and it may not be long before there's grumbling about his progress with us on the Radio Sheffield football phone-in. It may be Cameron who becomes the more ephemeral. Ball, I would hope, isn't devastating enough to warrant an instantaneous Derby recall. But, as an extended loan for us, he could prove a far better acquisition than we may manage in the regular transfer market.

So reasonably re-assured, guarded still in my optimism yet looking forward to Fleetwood. Never one for instant judgements, I can't stomach the intense and gloomy stuff which writes the season off before the August Bank Holiday. Already yesterday I was aware of a few people who must be putting their personal well-being in danger by simply setting foot inside a football ground. But I do share the usual gut feelings and vibes about how it may all shape up. Not winning the first three league games of the season is hardly a big deal. Yet, of course, it's not as good as winning all three of them. When that happens, however rational you attempt to be, you simply can't help sensing something or the other. Restlessness yesterday at times; often unnecessarily so. But who are we other than mere supporters and amateur pundits whatever our take on events? I've read plenty of negativity but nothing too extreme to be honest. It's normal.

Words, but no pictures, from me today. I took enough photos of Sixfields last time and, anyway, I think it looks rather better at night. Preferably with the floodlights switched off. I realised too that it was my furthest trip south all summer, and Bristol Rovers game aside, my most southerly venture since I was last at Northampton. I saw more of the county than usual yesterday and I guess it's one which gets overlooked and half-forgotten. I enjoyed the road trip down from Leicester and the wonderful wackiness of Tresham's triangular lodge at Rushton certainly made up for the blandness of the western fringes of Northampton. It's worth a visit if you're ever in the area.

Wow, four all with Manset equalising in injury time. Ground shares and bad winters don't always go hand in hand.

Coventry have had their embargo lifted then....