Why do we still go on about finishing 5th 2 years ago what did we win? it means nothing and this team peaked at that point, we need solid foundations not a one night stand.
What people forget is that the condition of teams in the league are as important as us when it comes to final position. That season we finished 5th (2013/14) was when the table was much more polar.
8 teams had 40 points or less, funnily enough if you go back to 07/08 when we previously finished 5th, there were 7 teams with 40 or less.
3 teams had more than 80 for the first time since 08/09, and even in that season the number of teams with 40 or less was only five.
There were a lot more points to go around in Martinez' first season. Not just points should be considered either because
Moyes' united flopped hard at the start and Spurs sold Bale and replaced him with dross. Those two teams have since regained their strength and left us lagging behind again. Whether we want to blame Kenwright and Co for lack of investment or Martinez for failing to form a defence doesn't really matter, the fact is we failed to take that opportunity to solidify us as a top 6 contender. Would we have reached 5th if
Moyes didn't flop or Spurs kept Bale? I highly doubt it. We played well, but not well enough. Since then differences in quality have closed somewhat and the spread of points become much thinner for the rest of the table yet the top 6 are typically stronger than the rest.
You're precisely right about needing foundations, because as Leicester proves -- a one-season wonder isn't enough to keep you up there for the next season. It takes time and commitment.
