Blues boss Paul Jewell says next year’s Championship could be even tougher than ever with the likes of Sheffield Wednesday, Charlton and Huddersfield winning promotion from League One. Town start their 2012/13 campaign on Saturday 18th August with a home game against Blackburn, a club which has moved in the opposite direction this summer.
Jewell told the club site: "It doesn't matter who you play on the first day of the season or the last in this division, you know it's going to be a hard game.
"There are plenty of big clubs in this division who will feel they have the stadium and facilities worthy of the Premier League and getting back to that level will be the aim.
"The Championship is one of the most competitive leagues in the game and I lost count how many times I said that anyone can beat anyone in this league last season.
"It will be just as tough next year, possibly even tougher. You've got Sheffield Wednesday coming up, who are a massive club. Huddersfield have shown their ambition and Charlton were playing in the Premier League not so long ago.
"They will all look to build on the momentum of last season and we have seen Norwich and Southampton benefit from that over the last two years. It's going to be a real battle, we know that, but it's one we're looking forward to taking on."