Following seven seasons of battling to escape from League One, MK Dons now face the most difficult task in their history as they seek survival in the second tier.
Of course, the alternative view is that this is a club returning to this level for the first time in 12 years, but football politics aside it promises to be a special year for the Dons.
Here, Sports Mole assesses whether Karl Robinson can consolidate his side's place in the Championship, or if a return back to League One beckons.
In
Simon Church (Charlton Athletic), Dale Jennings (Barnsley), Joe Walsh (Crawley Town), Cristian Benavente (Real Madrid Castilla), Matthew Upson (Leicester City), Sergio Aguza (Real Madrid Castilla), Robert Hall (Bolton Wanderers, season-long loan), Sam Gallagher (Southampton, season-long loan)
Out
Ian McLoughlin (Released), Danny Green (Luton Town), George Baldock (Oxford United, season-long loan)
Last season - 2nd in League One
Manager - Karl Robinson
© Getty Images
Despite being just 34 years of age, Robinson already boasts five years of managerial experience gained solely with the Dons. Some may suggest that the Scouse boss took too long in taking MK into the Championship, especially when considering the budget available, while others ultimately see it as a job well done.
Either way, Robinson now has a fresh platform to showcase the talents that have previously seen him linked with the likes of Blackpool, Rangers and Birmingham City. His first task is to bring in some shrewd captures - permanently or otherwise - to help his side on their way, with the recent arrival of Upson on a free transfer a good place to start.
Key Player - Carl Baker
The summer losses of Dele Alli and Will Grigg, two of the Dons' most valuable players last time out, went some way to underlining just why Robinson's men have been installed as favourites for the drop by many. There is still plenty of talent in the squad, though, particularly in 32-year-old Baker.
Voted the club's Player of the Year in their promotion-winning campaign, the ex-Coventry City man could be relied upon to provide further goals and assists. However, the step up in quality may prove a real challenge and, on top of the departure of fellow prolific marksman Benik Afobe in January, it remains to be seen if the task at hand will prove to be too much for the ageing midfielder.
© Getty Images
Possible starting lineup
Martin; Spence, Kay, Walsh, Lewington; Potter, Carruthers; Hall, Reeves, Bowditch; Gallagher
First game: Rotherham United (A), Full fixture list
Sports Mole says
MK Dons certainly knew how to turn on the style in League One, finding the net more than 100 times across the duration of last season. A large part of that goalscoring prowess has been lost during the summer, however, and the Buckinghamshire outfit are now relying on Church and the untested Gallagher to come good.
Manager Robinson is well regarded by many, but he will be pushed to the full as he seeks additional options across the squad - particularly in attack if pre-season is anything to go by - on what is a low budget by Championship standards. On the plus side, the Dons do appear to have strengthened in defensive areas during the off-season. The question now is whether they can cope with the absence of Grigg, Afobe and Alli in the long term.
Prediction - 23rd
Daniel Lewis
