DIVISION One is renowned in football circles as being the hardest to get out of. The Premiership may have the better teams, but there are three 'mini-divisions' in the top tier.

There are the championship potential teams, teams gunning for a European place and the perennial relegation strugglers.

This is in stark contrast to the First Division, which has few strugglers and as many as twelve teams that can all have a big say in the final outcome.

Bolton are always in the final shake-up for Promotion come May, and it shouldn't be any different this season.

The loss of Eidur Gudjohnsen is a blow but with Per Frandsen leading a posse of reinforcements, Wanderers shouldn't be short on quality.

If Wanderers do realise their potential under Sam Allardyce and add some consistency to their game, they could produce another meaningful promotion challenge.

The big guns in this year's division will be Blackburn, Birmingham and Barnsley.

All three would have been disappointed to miss out on promotion last year and Blackburn and Birmingham, in particular, have spent big in their quest for the Premiership.

The deciding factor could be the transfer of free-scoring midfielder Craig Hignett to Blackburn from Barnsley. Barnsley sold their best player to a promotion rival for a modest fee, surely there's some logic in it somewhere ...

There is always a dark-horse for promotion, Manchester City for example, and it could be a big year for Preston North End. The Lancashire club haven't spent big in the summer but they have the basis of a strong squad and one can draw many similarities between Preston and City.

City built their Promotion challenge on prolific striker Shaun Goater and outstanding England Under-21 goalkeeper Nicky Weaver. Jon Macken has the capability to score the goals and David Lucas is an England Under 21 international 'keeper.

The other two promoted teams Gillingham and Burnley also look good but they might find the going tough when their momentum carried over from their promotion grinds to a halt.

Both clubs have a starting eleven to be reckoned with, but the strength of their squad is questionable. New signings are needed for both managers.

Gills' boss Andy Hessenthaler has made a shrewd signing in Paul Shaw. The ex-Arsenal striker can be relied upon to find the back of the net on a regular basis, just ask the Millwall fans who were sad to see him go.

The three teams that drop into Division One from the Premiership always look good to bounce straight back up, but Sheffield Wednesday, Wimbledon and Watford will find the going difficult.

Wednesday are in transition after appointing a new manager and Wimbledon could find themselves in freefall if they don't replace Carl Cort, Neil Sullivan and Ben Thatcher.

Watford have invested in Premiership quality and could be major challengers if they make a good start.

Wanderers' main threat for the play-offs will be Wolves, Sheffield United, Fulham and Tranmere while Gerry Francis may at last realise the potential of QPR.

Wolves always flatter to deceive but with Havard Flo up front write them off at your peril, whilst Sheffield United have found some stability under manager Neil Warnock and some shrewd signings could ensure they finish above their city rivals,Sheffield Wednesday.

The relegation fodder this year will most probably be Grimsby, Crewe, Norwich and West Brom.

Grimsby look very weak on paper and Crewe will rely too heavily on pacy striker Rodney Jack. Norwich need to hang on to Craig Bellamy to make an impact with West Brom needing a bucketful of goals from Lee Hughes to keep their heads above the choppy waters of relegation. The signing of Jason Roberts from Bristol Rovers should boost West Brom's squad and may prove to be very shrewd , with the departure of Hughes becoming more and more iminent.

Whatever happens, it will be a gripping battle for promotion and relegation with every fan in the country sure to be captivated.

Let's hope Wanderers are at the forefront of the promotion battle.