Genuine question - how did the pundits know we were likely to be fighting relegation?

[Snowflake Royal]

It's not a fluke if it happens repeatedly.

[Ascotexgunner]

The fact we started the season without a proper striker, relying on player who was 36 and the fact we had a pathetic goal difference last season for a team in third (as did HT), the fact that we took some awful beatings that stood out like a swore thumb, and that we look bloody awful in front of the whole world at Wembley, and that it was obvious that it was indeed a "false third", I think it was obvious to many we were mid table at best.