Well if last year is anything to go by then there's merit to what they're saying.
Good players all a year older, starting the year with key injuries, only Tarrant at 32 added as instantly playable - the draftees will take time, umps absolutely hate us and the rules have been changed to stuff our game style.
I think we'll be lucky to make the top 6 at best, although I have my 20th year of membership this year and am happy to be proven wrong or go watch a belting every fortnight.