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...
21.
SHREWSBURY TOWN: The Shrews’ defensively-minded approach kept them clear of trouble last season and it’s doubtful much will change as long as manager Sam Ricketts hangs on to his key defenders Aaron Pierre (pictured) and Ethan Ebanks-Landell. Pierre has attrached interest from a handful of Championship clubs like Blackburn, Preston and Barnsley. The Shrews are a well-run club who live comfortably within their means so won’t have the financial problems others will experience. Verdict: Mid-table again. Photo: Martin Rickett PA wire.
22.
SUNDERLAND: It’s ridiculous a club of Sunderland’s size face a third season in League One, but that’s what poor decision-making at boardroom level can do. And if they don’t find a new owner Sunderland will be far from certain to even reach the play-offs next season as the squad looks short of quality, although they have been linked with a couple of decent players recently including Danny Graham (pictured). Goalkeeper Jon McLaughlin’s departure to Rangers won’t help though. Boss Phil Parkinson wants seven new quality additions. If that happens they will go close. It’s a big if though. Verdict: Don’t fancy them, as things stand. Photo: Richard Sellers PA.
23.
SWINDON: The League Two champions have experienced a bumpy summer with chairman Lee Power - the ex- Posh striker - warning of administration if he is not allowed to sell the club to an interested party and following the loss of an entire strike force including 25-goal Eoin Doyle to League Two side Bolton. “You only win games if you score goals,” manager Richie Wellens (pictured) said. “So losing those players is massive.” Verdict: A long season ahead.
24.
WIGAN ATHLETIC: Wigan collected 61 points in the Championship last season and yet were relegated thanks to a 12-point deduction for falling into administration. You would expect them to be hot favourites to win League One based on that record, but they will need to find new owners soon or face a firesale of their top talent. Manager Paul Cook is leaving and powerful centre-forward Kieffer Moore (pictured) looks set to depart and if they are followed by too many others it could become a difficult campaign for ‘The Latics.’ Verdict: Serious contenders if they can stabalise. Photo: Richard Sellers PA.