I think it's no accident that sides like Bristol City are looking strong and getting results. The QPR model of 'boom and bust' simply isn't sustainable and its taken the clowns that run the cub the best part of 8-9 years to figure this out. Villa will learn the hard way, I reckon, as has Sunderland, Forest, Derby and a few others. I fear for Stoke too, as their ownership look like they believe they now have a divine right to be in the Prem. Swansea seem sensible and appear to have cut their cloth accordingly.
Brizzle are following in the slow and steady, build from the bottom up, solid foundation model, the blueprint for which the likes of Bournemouth, Brighton and potentially Sheffield United have laid down.
As a fan, the heart will always want promotion back to the PL at the earliest opportunity, but I fear that our board will get over-excited again. The head says carry on with what we're doing and take 3-4 seasons.