13th, and it was October. EDIT: they even stayed around that sort of range until now, and were 12th, then won 10 in a row and still only managed 5th. The lowest they ever were that season was 16th, So for perspective that means that we would need to make it up to 11th (currently 7 points and 8 teams) to THEN launch onto a winning run to go up to 5th. They were on 38 points at the same stage we're at now, so 9 points ahead of us now. So we would need to out-perform that side (that had a ridiculous end to the season) by another 9 points. It's just so unlikely it's not worth worrying about. If, come April, we're suddenly 9th or 10th, then we can have a bit of fun imagining.
Which maybe we have to accept the new guy and consolidation for a push next year and subsequent years. If we stay up then the new man will be in a lot stronger position to build in summer... ... As long as we stay up.
100%! If we stay up AND the new strikers look up to the standard, then we're in a fantastic position to consolidate and launch a promotion push next season. I think the sides coming down (bar Newcastle) are the weakest they've been in a while. This is a Norwich side that have sold Buendia, have a few others like Cantwell agitating for a move, Pukki not getting any younger, and owners who don't seem too keen on massive outlays. Burnley as well, are in a pretty rough financial position with their new owners looking to sell if they go back down, and would be selling back to their old owner. Watford probably the strongest, along with Newcastle if they did go down. Next season should be the first in a while where there's a real possibility to earn promotion from the current crop. Of course Forest, Boro, Sheff United and a few others will be primed for a tilt at it, but we should be in a good position to contend.
There might be one or two more go tits up if they don't get promotion too. There's likely to be another Derby, Reading or two so yeah, it's a good opportunity for an up and coming side without serious financial baggage.
We're 3 wins behind where Brownio's lads were after 27 games in 07/08. 6th might be technically possible but would be a remarkable achievement
As you said earlier, it's as unlikely as our relegation, although winning games I still consider harder than losing them since it requires action and losing just requires inaction. As you say, would be remarkable.
It does seem too far away. Honestly, I don't think this current squad is technically good enough to pick up enough points to see us fly up the league unless both the new strikers absolutely smash it out the park and it papers over the cracks. It would be great to aim for a top-half finish and that's probably a realistic benchmark. The removal of Grant is a statement of intent that we'll no longer be settling for mediocrity though as are the new arrivals. So everyone is on warning to keep standards high if they want to stay at the football club. The summer could be absolutely brutal depending on how this season finishes, a major overhaul means a lot of players can become surplus to requirements.
Sorry to burst any bubbles but we are NOT going up this season Hopefully we can not go down, because that's more relevant right now.