A lot of teams are weaker now than compared to last summer, look at Ipswich starting 11 now vs this time last season, they're weaker now.
Leicester are weaker as well, the only team I'd say are stronger right now are Millwall.
As for our departures, I'd say quite a few of those players have been replaced.
Players who take the departed players spots in starting 11/bench
Holding replaced by Bindon
JRS replaced by Brooks
BBD replaced by Barry
Souza replaced by Soumare
Brewster replaced by Ukaki
Replacements we still need
Clarke and Gilchrist replaced by 1 new RB to compete with Seriki
Anel replaced by 2 new CB's, 1 starter, 1 cover
Moore replaced by 1 new ST
Choudhury potentially replaced by another new CM/CDM
4/5 replacements in total, and not all of them have to be starters.
As for Selles being an unknown manager, is he an unknown manager?
I don't think he is, I think he's been around English football long enough not to be unknown.
Yes we're his biggest/toughest job yet, but you could have made the same argument for CW after he left Northampton for us.