League One’s roll call for 2020-21 includes relative giants like Charlton Athletic, Sunderland, Ipswich Town, Portsmouth and Hull City.
It also includes Wigan (currently at least) who amassed 61 points in the Championship last season and clubs who have shown they can overcome limited budgets and small fanbases to succeed in the third tier like Oxford and Fleetwood.
Even two of the three sides promoted from League Two - Northampton and Swindon - have played in the top flight of English football in the past!
A tough ask then for a Posh team who haven’t even reached the play-offs in the last six League One seasons.
But it’s the plight of the clubs relegated into League One which should give Posh, and any other well-financed and well-run club, hope.
The gap between League One and the Championship is huge, but the circumstances next season will be unique.
Charlton, Wigan and Hull have all experienced severe ownership issues with Addicks boss Lee Bowyer particularly vocal on damage caused by uncertainty.
Hull are an absolute mess with fans turning on unpopular owners and manager Grant McCann after an horrific second half of the season and it’s hard to see them pulling it around very quickly.
Wigan have been shafted by owner shenanigans and EFL incompetence, but if they don’t win their appeal today (July 31) they will face the loss of several key men.
Barnsley will replace Wigan in League One if the Latics win their appeal. The result of the appeal is expected next week.
Here is the current state of play as Posh’s League One rivals...
5.
BURTON ALBION: Nigel Clough stepping down as manager of another of League One’s smallest clubs in May highlighted the financial problems at the Pirelli Stadium. Centre-back Jake Buxton (pictured, left) will act as player-manager next seaon and will be boosted by senior players Stephen Quinn, Kieran Wallace and John Brayford all accepting significant paycuts. “We are having to make difficult financial decisions going forward,” said chairman Ben Robinson. Verdict: Troubled times. Photo: Nick Potts PA.
6.
CHARLTON ATHLETIC: Charlton manager Lee Bowyer (pictured) didn’t sound confident about the coming season after his side’s last-gasp relegation from the Championship. His own position is not that clear either. Bowyer said: “There’s a hell of a lot of things I’ve not been happy with. I’ve never felt so low in my life. If you cut corners, then this is what happens. We are losing so many players, how are we meant to rebuild? I don’t know what’s going to happen; I just feel for everyone at the club.” Verdict: Club in turmoil. Photo: PA
7.
CREWE ALEXANDRA: Crewe boss David Artell (pictured) is one of the few optimists knocking around League One. He’s determined to make league-wide financial issues work for his newly-promoted club. “There could well be bargains to be had as supply will far exceed demand. The transfer market could well work in our favour.” The Crewe policy of promoting young players will continue with attacking star Charlie Kirk expected to take the step up in quality in his stride. Verdict: False optimism. Photo: Getty Images.
8.
DONCASTER ROVERS: Donny are a tough side to work out. Their reliance on loan players over the last two seasons can’t be healthy and yet they still had a chance of the play-offs last season when play was halted. At the start of July, Rovers had just 12 players under contract and the scourge of Posh, Kieran Sadlier, was one to depart along with eight loan players. “Budget-wise it will be tough,” said Donny boss Darren Moore. “The loan market will be essential for us again.” Verdict: Mid-table team.