The Blues were relegated at the first time of asking, and both Ashton and boss Kieran McKenna have since made no bones about the fact that their ambition is now to not only get back to the top tier, but stay there.
**READ MORE: ['Are you in?' - Ashton reveals key conversation with McKenna after relegation](https://www.eadt.co.uk/news/25275132.are----ashton-reveals-key-conversation-mckenna-relegation/?ref=ial)**
And one of the biggest takeaways from their season at the top table was the staggering level of athleticism and physicality required in the world's best league.
Speaking on talkSPORT, Ashton was asked how Town will take what they've learned and get back to the top tier.
“I think it’s recruitment, recruitment, recruitment,” he said. “One of the things that we learned was that gap in the physicality, the physical attributes of players that are required in the Premier League.
“When we look to recruit players now in the Championship, we have to adjust and amend how we recruit players.
“We need to look at players with the physical attributes because the reality is Kieran can coach them, but you can’t develop the physical attributes to the level that you need to compete.
“So it’s an evolution for us. We have to look at recruiting a different type of player, a player with a different set of physical attributes.
“But let’s be under no illusions, if we get back to the Premier League, it will be equally as tough. We have to take the learnings from what was a very tough season.”
Town start their promotion push with a Friday night clash at newly-promoted Birmingham, live on Sky Sports, on August 8th.
NFL legend Tom Brady is a part owner at newly-promoted Birmingham City _(Image: PA)_ NFL legend Tom Brady is part of Birmingham's ownership group, while fellow new boys Wrexham boast the combined Hollywood power of actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney at the helm.
**READ MORE: [Birmingham City say season opener against Town is already sold out](https://www.eadt.co.uk/news/25274983.birmingham-city-say-season-opener-town-already-sold/?ref=ial)**
Asked how he feels about rubbing shoulders with those global stars next season, Ashton chuckled: “I was born and bred in the Midlands, 16 years at West Bromwich Albion, so it will be nice to be back in the Midlands.
“I think, look, we’ve just got to be the very best versions of ourselves, let other people worry about how they want to conduct (themselves) and be.
“We’re very business like. This is sanity for us, this is not vanity. We’re building a professional backroom staff, a professional football club, and we’re working very hard.
“I think if we can be the very best versions of ourself, we’ve got every opportunity to be competitive.
“I want us going into this season with a hunter mentality, and I want us to attack the season.”