We only had one mid-table season in tier 3 under Trew, and that was after Curle's table topping start. Three seasons out of 5 went to final day relegation scraps.
Getting comfy in L1 is easier said than done. What about the ambitions of managers? How do you attract decent L1 players if you're showing a lack of ambition? Not spending in order to keep up with the play off teams whilst avoiding being dragged into the relegation battle year in year out would be quite the balancing act. Derby, Portsmouth and Charlton finished 7th, 8th and 10th last season, it's a tough league and one that we will inevitably find ourselves in soon enough if we all agree the next change of level won't be a return to tier 5.
That's not being negative, it's being realistic. If the current owners can get us up to tier 3, then eventually sell up with us still in that league then they've done very well.