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.
21. 4th: ROTHERHAM UNITED
Manager: Steve Evans...Key signings: Jonson Clarke-Harris (pictured), Shaun Raggett, Joe Powell...Prediction: If signing a lot of players, many of whom have a lot of miles on the clock, is a precursor to success we can crown Rotherham as champions now. They’ll be top six, but will they have the stamina for automatic promotion?...Rating: ****...Odds: 9/1. Photo: Joe Dent
22. 3rd: HUDDERSFIELD TOWN
Manager: Michael Duff (pictured)...Key signings: Herbie Kane, Lasse Sorensen...Prediction: The Terriers will be one of the big dogs in the division following relegation from the Championship last season. Kane is an interesting signing who knows the division well as does the new manager. They and Charlton are the best value bets to win the title...Rating: ****...Odds: 12/1. Photo: Ryan Hiscott
23. 2nd: CHARLTON ATHLETIC
Manager: Nathan Jones (pictured)...Key signings: Luke Berry, Matt Godden, Greg Docherty...Prediction: The last time this manager worked in League One he won the title with Luton Town. Even the loss of top scorer Alfie May could be overcome by a squad who will be the biggest improvers on last season. Ex-Posh forward Godden is a good signing if he stays healthy...Rating: ****...Odds: 14/1. Photo: Pete Norton
24. 1st: BIRMINGHAM CITY
Manager: Chris Davies....Key signings: Alfie May (pictured), Ryan Allsop, Marc Leonard...Prediction: The budget and the size of the club are the reasons why ‘The Blues’ are the hottest favourites to win League One for many a season, but they are there to be shot at and there are some top sides capable of upsetting them. They’ll probably win it though...Rating: *****...Odds: 2/1. Photo: Pete Norton