And to answer your second point:

Below, a list of what I'd consider to have been realistic expectations at the start of each season since relegation in '95:

95/6: Automatic promotion
96/7: Mid-table, with the hope that Walker's return saw us make an unexpected play-off bid
97/8: Mid-table
98/9: Challenge for top 6
99/0: Mid-table
00/1: Mid-table
01/2: Challenge for top 6
02/3: Top 6
03/4: Top 10 (before the September loan signings changed everything)
04/5: Survival (17th was a VERY realistic demand, but we blew it)
05/6: Automatic promotion
06/7: Challenge for top 6
07/8: Mid-table

Posted By: thebigfeller, Sep 23, 22:01:55