All it takes is a quick glance over the bookies' odds to determine that Bristol City aren't very well fancied this year.
Coming off the back of a 17th spot finish in the Championship last season with a defensive record to make any City fan wince and it may be a fair reflection from an outside perspective.
However, with some shrewd business in the transfer window on a shoe-string budget, the building blocks in place with a clear system in mind and a positive pre-season in regards to improved fitness levels and results, mean supporters rightly head into the game against Hull with the belief that the Robins will at least improve on last campaign.
Nigel Pearson has tasked his side with an optimistic promotion push and while unlikely, City are in a stronger position in comparison to 12 months ago. Staying injury-free will be key to any success with the Robins currently dealing with a thin squad.
A mid-table finish will be more realistic as the younger starlets continue to come through the ranks and get another year of senior experience under their belts. Much could still depend on whether Pearson can still get one or two new signings over the line before the window shuts on September 1.
According to the pundits, the Robins are braced to endure another frustrating season on the whole as we took a look at what people are saying about City's chances this campaign.
Ali Maxwell and George Elek - Not the Top 20 - 12th
They are backing Burnley to make an immediate return to the Premier League under Vincent Kompany with Norwich to take second place.
Middlesbrough, Watford, Sheffield United and West Brom are backed to make a play-off spot while Reading, Birmingham and Rotherham are tipped for relegation. For the Robins, they believe mid-table is a fair assessment.
"It's been a difficult few years for Bristol City, mainly due to an inability to keep the ball out of their goal. But with a few nice summer additions in Kal Naismith and Kane Wilson, there's hope on that front.
"Nigel Pearson has got his feet under the table and may be able to get things going this season. There's plenty of talent and firepower in the squad, now it's about adding consistency and toughness."
FourFourTwo - 18th
FourFourTwo are backing Bristol City to go slightly backwards on last season and be one of the clubs involved in the relegation battle at the foot of the table.
They suggest Middlesbrough will finish top ahead of Norwich with Sheffield United, Watford, West Brom and Burnley filling the top six. At the bottom, and it seems a common theme, they are backing Birmingham, Reading and Rotherham to be relegated.
"The three promoted clubs are helped by there being not one but two crisis clubs, in Paul Ince’s Reading and an imploding Birmingham, which almost makes for a one-team relegation zone this season.
"There are few candidates to fill it. Hull have fresh investment from ‘Turkish Simon Cowell’ Acun Ilicali, while Bristol City’s Nigel Pearson and Cardiff’s Steve Morison have fostered levels of cautious optimism on Severnside."
Ben Fisher - The Guardian - Playoff-hopefuls
Fisher believes the Championship big names in Burnley, West Brom, Middlesbrough, Norwich and Watford will all be strong contenders for promotion while Birmingham, Reading and Blackpool are likely to struggle.
In regards to City, he believes Pearson's side have a chance of forcing their way into the top six if they can make one or two more signings.
Fisher wrote: "Bristol City, the highest scorers outside the top six last season, look a signing or two away but the arrivals of Kane Wilson and Kal Naismith will improve them and the retention of Alex Scott, Antoine Semenyo and Andi Weimann gives them a chance."
The Second Tier - 16th
The guys at The Second Tier haven't particularly endeared themselves to Bristol City supporters with their previous comments and that is unlikely to change with their pre-season prediction.
Ryan Dilks says Nigel Pearson will be unable to take them to the next level but also suggest supporters aren't in the manager's camp - a comment which we would refute with the majority of fans backing the boss.
Dilks said: "I simply struggle to get too excited about Bristol City with Nigel Pearson, this is the main crime with me. If they had a different manager maybe I'll feel a little more positive about it. But Bristol City fans themselves aren't too confident about Pearson and on many occasions were booing after games last season.
"He's been very underwhelming in his time at Bristol City and I have a feeling his managerial career, in general, has been overrated over the years but that's the biggest stickest point for me.
"The squad is good, they've brought in Kal Naismith. Will he be as effective as he was at Luton last season? I doubt it personally. I think Nathan Jones knows how to get the best out of certain players and I think Kal Naismith is one of those.
"Andi Weimann saved Bristol City on so many occasions last season, he scored a shed load of goals and set up so many as well. Will he score as many as he did last season? I don't see it personally because his previous high tally was 10 goals and he more than doubled that last season.
"They could still lose Antoine Semenyo, someone I really rate as a striker. He's only going to get better this season but he has been linked with moves away so that's another problem as well.
"I think the squad as a whole is quite weak. I remember at one point last season I was saying this is one of the worst City squads in quite some time and while they have brought players in over the summer, I still think there are some players who will struggle to get into other Championship sides."
Listen to their full Championship preview episode HERE
PA news agency - Mid-table
"Season-ticket sales of more than 13,000 in early July are testament to a growing sense of optimism at Ashton Gate. The Robins finished 17th last season, but fans are hoping boss Nigel Pearson laid the foundations for success in his first full campaign in charge. Jason Euell’s arrival as first-team coach has strengthened his hand."
Prediction: Mid-table
Lee Hendrie - Relegation
The former Aston Villa midfielder and Sky Sports pundit thinks the Robins are heading for the drop based on where they finished last season. It's also worth noting he said these comments just over a month ago.
He said: "I've looked at the league table from last season and we've touched on the point deductions for Derby, Barnsley. You feel it's one of those situations where some of those teams that finished just above (relegation) at the end of the season, I think they were quite lucky at times.
"I think Birmingham certainly will be amongst it this season. If they don't resolve the situation in the background quite quickly, I do think they will find themselves in all sorts of trouble. Lee Bowyer's done a brilliant job, his hands have been tied.
"There's talk of him possibly leaving the football club. Well, try and resolve the situation first. It's a massive football club they shouldn't be near relegation but if they don't get that structure right early on, I think they could find themselves in all sorts of trouble.
"I think Wigan will stay and I think they have every chance. I feel they will be in the mix of the relegation battle but I do fear for Reading this season. I think that's a massive job. Paul Ince did a brilliant job to keep them afloat last season.
"And I think Bristol City might be among that bottom three. I feel those three sides will be my relegation ones that could go down."
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