BY Heck, a month is a long time in football.

Paul Heckingbottom’s Sheffield United had the most optimistic fans in the Championship in June, according to Sky Bet’s Fan Hope Survey.

But fast forward to July, following a few pre-season defeats, some injury worries and frustrations in the transfer market, and everything is not looking quite so rosy.

Supporters from all 24 clubs in the second tier had their opinions canvassed again this month on a range of subjects.

Asked on a scale of one to 10 how optimistic they were going into the new campaign, Blades followers returned an average score of 6.4 - down 0.7 from a month ago.

Friendly defeats to Scunthorpe United and Barnsley have contributed, as has injury to new signing Tommy Doyle.

Tom Lawrence was reportedly a target but ended up going to Rangers, loan star Morgan Gibbs-White has returned to Wolves and question marks remain over Sander Berge’s future.

Preston’s optimism rating dropped more than any other club between June and July, going down by 0.87.

Though the loan capture of Troy Parrott from Tottenham will surely come as a welcome boost.

At the other end of the scale, Luton supporters are now the most buoyant in the division after an increase by 0.37.

It is incredible to think the Hatters were playing in non-league less than a decade ago and with boss Nathan Jones seemingly a perfect fit, who is to say things cannot get even better.

Norwich have kept their incomings to a minimum so far but their fans’ optimism rating has taken a serious jump by 0.77.

While Sunderland and Wigan followers are notably more cheery now compared to a month ago.

Fans were also quizzed on the emotions they are feeling ahead of the new campaign.

Cardiff supporters were the most hopeful, despite no dream signing of local lad Gareth Bale, while Reading’s faithful were the most hopeless.

Birmingham fans are full of dread, as are Watford’s following relegation and a player exodus, but Rotherham disciples are feeling joyful at being back in the Championship.

Confidence is high amid the fanbase of QPR, excited about what new boss Michael Beale can achieve.

But Stoke supporters’ self-assuredness is virtually non-existent and anxiety is the overriding sensation among followers of Blackpool.