The cynic in me says that the club's phrase "Premier League Ready" might be being taken too literally by some of the players - Buckley, Bridcutt, Kuszczak etc.
I don't see that our historical "pre-Premier League" performance is that relevant to today's ambition and expectation.
Football is a corporate game now, and for those teams outside the Prem the size of the club's market is crucial. There is inherent expectation and ambition simply because...