Fry's target is survival

By Chris Bevan

Fry is manager and owner of Peterborough Latest news from League One

Peterborough boss Barry Fry is not expecting League One to be any easier this season, but still thinks his side can spring a surprise or two.

Fry, who is also owner of cash-strapped Posh, only steered his side to safety in the final weeks of last season after a long fight against relegation.

He also had a battle to safeguard the club's future.

And Fry admits that survival, not silverware, is the only thing he will be looking to secure by next May.

"As long as we're still in existence at the end of the season, I'll be delighted," Fry told this website. "That is our first ambition.

"It's a struggle for us to make ends meet but that's the reality for a lot of clubs.

Bristol City have had a change of manager and brought in a few new players but you still expect them to do very well Barry Fry

"It's not about winning cups for us. Staying alive is what it is all about."

But Fry knows ensuring Posh prosper will prove easier said than done.

He feels that the teams who just missed out on promotion last year are better equipped to go up this time, while there are several other sides who are capable of making an impact.

"It will be a very hard league," he added.

"It's no surprise who the favourites to go up are - Bristol City. They've had a change of manager and brought in a few new players but you still expect them to do very well.

"I'm sure Tranmere will be up there too.

"They had an unbelievable run at the end of last season, while Andy King did a fantastic job to get Swindon into the play-offs and he'll be looking to go one better than that this time.

FRY'S TEAMS TO WATCH Bristol City Robins news Tranmere Rovers Rovers news Swindon Town Town news Barnsley Tykes news Hull City Tigers news

"Oldham have spent a bit of money this year and they're going to have a real go at getting up too.

"Then you've got the big hitters - Barnsley, Sheff Wed and Hull City.

"Hull are a tremendously ambitious club with some good players and a lovely ground. There's a really good feeling around the place too and they'll be full of confidence.

"Bradford are there as well, I'm not sure how they'll deal with their situation but it will be interesting.

"Three of those sides were in the Premiership not so long ago of course so it is going to be a really tough division for everyone this season - those six or seven big hitters will be the ones to watch this season though.

The likes of Hartlepool and Luton surprised a lot of people last season and it might be a little bit more difficult for them this time.

"For Hartlepool to get in the play-offs was a fantastic achievement though - and it gives the smaller clubs hope they can achieve it."

And despite the problems facing Posh, Fry remains optimistic about his side's chances of being the small club to succeed this year.

He said: "We're the bookies favourite to go down as usual, but we'll be hoping to prove them wrong.

"We've got a good mix of youth and experience and I'm hoping we can get up the other end of the table and sneak into the play-offs ourselves. That's the best we can expect though."