Bigger and better clubs than ‘The Blues’ have taken more than a season to get out of the third tier. Think Leeds United, Sheffield United and Ipswich Town for a start. Birmingham have also appointed a rookie boss in Chris Davies and working in the elite Spurs Academy won’t prepare him for the rough and tumble of League One.
The hot title favourites have been splashing the cash from a reported £20 million budget, but it might be a concern to many that a lot of that cash has gone abroad rather than on players familiar with English football. That all makes the 2/1 on City winning the title a terrible bet for value hunters.
There will be plenty of clubs keen to upset the odds and the best two priced clubs capable of winning the title are Charlton Athletic and Huddersfield Town.
Of the promoted clubs keep your eye on Stockport County who were better than Wrexham last season and could well be again even though the odds don’t reflect that.
And what of Posh? It’s so hard to predict their chances. They’ve lost some huge players for the level and replaced them with inexperienced men from lower levels. It is an approach that has served them well in the past, but it looks a tougher division than last season and a play-off place for a third straight season would be a fine achievement. My prediction for Posh is based on plenty of hope rather than expectation.
At the other end of the table it could be curtains for our local rivals Cambridge United and Northampton Town, but both will finish above likely whipping boys Crawley Town.
Here are my finishing predictions for each club in League One in reverse order….
**League One title odds (Sky Bet) as at August 5. Ratings Key: ***** Champions, **** Serious promotion contenders, *** MId-table obscurity, **Relegation candidates, *Doomed.
5. 20th: SHREWSBURY TOWN
Manager: Paul Hurst (pictured)...Key signings: John Marquis, Tommi O’Rielly...Prediction: ‘The Shrews’ once did great things under their current manager, but I only know of one League One club which achieves success under a boss who returns for another crack at repeating glories. A relegation battle is coming and the bookies know it. Rating: **...Odds: 200/1. Photo: Pete Norton
6. 19th: MANSFIELD TOWN
Manager: Nigel Clough...Key signings: Lee Gregory, Frazer Blake-Tracy....Prediction: Certain to be the weakest of the three teams automatically promoted from League Two last season. They’ll find it tough, but not as tough as unpopular ex-Posh goalkeeper Christy Pym (pictured) will find his return to the Weston Homes Stadium...Rating: **...Odds: 66/1. Photo: Joe Dent
7. 18th: BURTON ALBION
Manager: Mark Robinson...Key signings: Danilo Orsi (pictured), Billy Bodin, Charlie Webster...Prediction: It’s been quite the revolution for a Brewers team who escaped relegation on the final day of last season. Lots of signings (almost 20 of them) guarantees nothing though, apart from the disappointment that comes from more failure. Big test for a rookie boss coming up....Rating: **...Odds: 66/1. Photo: Harriet Lander
8. 17th: READING
Manager: Ruben Selles (pictured)...Key signings: None...Prediction: This club wouldn’t have had more financial woes if Liz Truss was in charge. They are the only League One club not to have made a new signing at the time of writing as ownership issues continue to bite. Doomed to struggle unless someone rides to the rescue very quickly. Luckily that someone is apparently at hand...Rating: **...Odds: 25/1. Photo: Naomi Baker