Worth remembering that we started the season with a couple of key players injured but as late as early November when we beat Villa 4-1 we were 3 points off 3rd place in PL.
Since then we've gone from having 5 players out injured to having more like 10 or even 12 players out injured recently, which in turn means we've been running the remaining fit players into the ground as we've had no options other than to play them every mid week and weekend.
The good news is that we brought in 2 permanent transfers in January (Danso and Kinsky) who filled holes in the squad and look good, have proved Austin is a decent 3rd GK to add depth plus have Tel on a 'try before you buy loan' whilst both summer recruits Gray and Bergvall now look to be two of our most reliable players, Odobert shows real potential now he's fit and Solanke is a real lynch pin of the side with his pressing as well as goal involvements. And the rehabilitation of Spence has gone like a dream.
So we go into this years transfer window a lot lot stronger than 12 months ago (4 recruits last summer plus January 2 players plus Spence and Austin - so arguably 8 players or a third of the squad) with more players and more depth to the squad than 12 months ago. Plus we have a lot of youth in that 18 - 21 group who we might want to use next season or season after.
Of course there are still issues to be dealt with - whether its the Bissouma/Bentancur dilemma, Richarlison or whoever else is any posters particular gripe, not to mention constant rumours we might lose Romero and/or Porro. And I doubt we will find all the players we would ideally like to.
But don't forget we now have the spine of a decent level squad - far fewer problems than ManU for example, and that really is something to be thankful for.