Whenever you come into a season as a fan you normally have a rough idea of what would be a successful season, be that survival, mid-table, a play-off place or automatic promotion.

This season I’ve heard Town fans predict all those scenarios for Mark Cooper’s side, so what is a reasonable target?

Since the start of the season Town chairman Jed McCrory has insisted that promotion is a realistic goal for the club.

I predicted a 12th-place finish from the outset after watching experienced pros being replaced by youth team players from Tottenham in the summer.

But after the signing of Nile Ranger, and the quality shown by the majority of the Spurs loanees, a mid-table finish would be a disappointing season.

If key players stay injury-free, our best starting 11 should be competing to finish in one of the coveted play-off spots.

Some fans will think I’m getting carried away with our decent start, but looking throughout League One not many teams have a striker of Ranger’s quality or a midfield that matches up to Massimo Luongo and Yaser Kasim.

Some more experience will have to be added to the squad as the season moves on, but I hope Town fans won’t sell our side short, and be content with a bottom-half finish come May.

On Monday, Ranger made an appearance at Newcastle Crown Court to plead not guilty to sex offence charges and his trial is currently listed in January of next year.

The former Newcastle United striker has made a big impact at the club scoring five goals in 14 appearances.

After watching many goalscorers at Town over the years, it’s easy to see that Ranger sticks out like a sore thumb.

The guy should be playing in the Championship at least, possibly the Premiership.

We all know he’s only at Town because of his past but, from the outside looking in, he looks to have settled well in Wiltshire.

When his name was mentioned as a possible signing, thousands of fans didn’t want the guy anywhere near our club, but he has turned people’s views around with his performances and attitude on the pitch.

I’m pleased that Town reached out to the young striker, and is helping him turn his life around.

This Saturday Town welcomes Port Vale to the County Ground.

The visitors arrive in good form after recording back-to-back League One wins; the Valiant’s sit on the same number of points as Town but have an inferior goal difference.

Despite Town being without the suspended Yaser Kasim, I predict a return to winning ways at SN1.

Follow me on Twitter @danjohnson_stfc.

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