We have a thinner squad and have jags out for the next month as well as Gerry, personally don't think any big conclusions can be made until March with the current top 6
Alcaraz looks a very able stand in, the best left back in the country was out for a month and was ably replaced.
Barry was out today and was not missed (that much), Howard was out and was not missed. I a fair few games this season Martinez has changed a game with subs, Liverpool could not do that today and were not even close to doing that with just as many players out as we did.
The main worry is up front, we really need to get a decent replacement/understudy for Lukaku and if we can then it would be no surprise at all if we finish above them lot and in the top 4.
As you pertain to we then have Delofueueueee and Jags to come back in along with any new signings.
Maybe we won't know for sure until March although I think the end of Jan will tell us a lot but that does not stop anybody from having an opinion and my opinion is that we will finish above Liverpool.