It may surprise you that from the 12 sides promoted to their respective Football League tiers last season, currently only two occupy a relegation spot. It may also surprise you that three of these 12 are in the play-offs. In reality, neither of these facts should shock you; promoted sides often, and are always likely to, do well. Promotion allows teams to gain a winning mentality which continues throughout much of the next campaign. Momentum does not last forever though; this is often shown by 'second season syndrome'. Looking back to last season, the twelve that came up that year were extremely successful as a group. Just one side were relegated to their original league, Reading heading back down into the Championship. Swindon Town managed to rise into the play-offs, whilst Crawley Town and Charlton Athletic were both not far from the leading six in their respective leagues. This looks and sounds successful, yet there have been even better years for promoted sides. Southampton and Norwich City in recent years have both achieved back-to-back promotions from League One to the Premier League, where they have both remained since. For me, there is no reason why a handful of this year's promoted clubs cannot go win back-to-back promotions once again. Among this season's promoted pack, Bradford City are one of the favourites to achieve such feats this term. The Capital One Cup finalists lie in 4th position in League One following this weekend's impressive 2-0 victory against Walsall. With their unbeaten run being extended to seven games, many fancy Bradford to climb towards the heights of years that now seem a distant memory. Not many in football, including myself, disagree that momentum plays a huge part in a good first season in a new league. Bradford have certainly shown how powerful momentum can be. Many thought, with the build up of games last season due to their outstanding cup run, they would fail to cope with the overload, that they would suffer 'burnout'. Despite their season tailing off somewhat, securing a play-off spot was crucial. Phil Parkinson's men then went on to secure promotion by thrashing Northampton 3-0 in the play-off final. In addition to momentum, income certainly plays a part too. Winning leagues of play-off competitions generates vast amounts of money, allowing promoted teams to spend as much in summer transfers as competitors in their new league. In addition, promotion seasons often see more fans flood through the gates, and this along with an increase in the buying of club merchandise, brings in extra profit. The game's richest match, the Championship Play-Off Final, is worth up to £145million for the winning side. Last season's victors, Crystal Palace, were then able to, over the summer, spend vast amounts of cash on many new players. The questionable recruitments of Dwight Gayle, Adrian Mariappa, Jack Hunt, Jimmy Kebe, Jose Campana, Barry Bannan and Stephen Dobbie all required large fees, while Marouane Chamakh, Jerome Thomas and Jason Puncheon will all be earning a high Premier League wage, no doubt. It remains to be seen which of these players will live up to expectations, but unfortunately for Palace, they are currently one of only two sides that sit in the relegation zone from the promoted sides in the Football League. The second of those two sides is everyone's relegation tip for the season, Yeovil Town. Despite winning last season's League One Play-Off Final, Yeovil do not have anywhere near the financial power as some of the Championship's heavyweights. It is believed QPR are spending 50 times that on wages as the Somerset minnows.
Even clubs extremely unfamiliar with their surroundings and perhaps described as 'out of their depth' seem to excel following promotion. Newport County, who since their reformation in 1989, entered the Football League for the first time this summer, and currently sit comfortably in the top half of League Two. This all leads to me advising you not to write off any promoted side. Not Palace, not Yeovil, not any. All have the momentum and self-belief behind them to escape relegation this season, at the very least. Next season is where the real work begins, where the going gets tough. Charlton, Sheffield Wednesday and Crewe are all experiencing this now. And to all those promoted sides; enjoy the success while you can.