Can't blame the club for what seemed a plausible ambition at the time (Championship within a couple of seasons) back when the playing fields were a little more level. As you say, the money Ipswich, Sheffield Wednesday and Derby are throwing at this coming season is outrageous, and I am quite happy for our expectations to be adjusted as the models of the teams listed above (particularly the latter two) are completely unsustainable, whereas we're putting in the foundations to have a sustainably competitive team for years to come. If we get back to the play-offs this year I'll be delighted, and if we don't I'll probably be a little disappointed but will look ahead to the next season. If Derby or Sheffield Wednesday don't get promoted, their fans may have questions about whether they'll be able to field a team the next season.
This league gets tougher every year, with huge clubs who went sh*t or bust to try and get promoted to the Premiership coming down and chasing their losses. I've no expectation or hope that we try and compete with that, and don't need the club to tell me that's the case.