Manager Steve Bruce believes he can win promotion to the Premier League with Aston Villa following his appointment, as he did with rivals Birmingham City.
Bruce, 55, twice led the Blues into the top flight, and is confident of repeating the feat at Villa who are currently 19th after 11 games.
"When you get offered a job in October, you know it's because a club is in trouble," he told BBC WM.
"There's only one way for this club to go and that is up."
Bruce has begun his reign by bringing in two other former Blues players, Stephen Clemence and Ian Atkins, to form his backroom team.