I know this doesn't really answer the question as I started with a Championship side but am now in the Premiership, but first season all I did was hook up with a good parent club (got Chelsea) and got a few players on loan. No wages to pay, no monthly contribution.
A player to try and get hold off, although not sure what he's like in season 4, is Harry Arter at Bournemouth. Played fab for me in first season, but whiny (doesn't seem to like training), but he was my player of the year.