THIS week, the one month marker post on Town’s latest League One odyssey was passed and, with the delights of an A420 derby next on the menu, offered up the moment to reflect on what we have seen.

Six games in (or should that be six and two-thirds?), what can we read into the fortunes of Luke Williams’ side to date, with regard to their likely fortunes over the next eight months?

Certainly, the first five weeks have been been an object lesson in why the oft-stated only conclusions to be drawn from pre-season are over the state of players’ fitness levels and gradual tactical enlightenment.

That notwithstanding, it is not unreasonable to suggest there were more than a few concerns regarding squad depth, defensive solidity and potency of attack before Town took to the field ‘properly’ for the first time against Coventry City back on August 6.

Shorn of Nicky Ajose’s goals, denuded of the likes of Jordan Turnbull and Michael Doughty’s returns to their parent clubs and Raphael Branco through injury and with a host of raw talents on the bench, Williams’ squad started the campaign ‘a little light.’ Fast forward to Saturday’s trip to the Kassam Stadium though, the outlook is somewhat brighter.

On squad matters at least, chairman Lee Power appears to have again shown a deft hand, not least with the loan captures of Doughty - already the team’s ‘go-to’ man after his return - and Lloyd Jones, whose start to the campaign befits his lofty status at Premier League Liverpool.

Elsewhere, John Goddard has shown glimpses of why he was prised from the non-league scene while there appear few reasons why Conor Thomas and recent arrival Sean Murray cannot recapture form that embellished their early-career reputations.

After eight months ‘in the chair’, Williams too appears to have grown into his role, his much-vaunted tactical acumen and coaching ability getting more of an airing this term than in last season’s grinding battle.

Yes concerns remain.

Goals are yet to really flow and it remains to be seen whether new men Luke Norris and Nathan Delfouneso and a fit Jon Obika can replicate the potency the latter offered alongside Ajose.

Unlike an apparent abundance of midfield riches, at the back too there remain issues over cover and depth, not entirely papered over by the arrivals of Jones and Darnell Furlong.

Surely even the most pessimistic red and white follower will concede though, the tag ‘promising signs’ is surely applicable as we head to the autumn.