The difference this year is that most people don't seem to have an idea of how this will pan out.
There does seem to be a feeling that we may just have the makings of a decent side under a manager with a track record of getting it right at this level.
However, on paper at least, there appears to be a consensus that this is a league where about half of the teams are capable of challenging for the promotion places.
On that basis, yes, it's an exciting prospective season but tempered with that feeling , in true City style, disappointment and frustration are never far away.