It's going to require some excellent business and a bit of luck.
Not being in Europe is a big boost to league form but top 6 is going to be tough. Obviously Liverpool, Arsenal and Man City are the top 3 and hard to dislodge but behind that Villa, Chelsea, Newcastle all look pretty strong (though with Chelsea that can be a touch fleeting). You'll be top 10 and I can see a 7-8th spot and getting into Europe and I'd be more willing to put money on you winning a trophy next season than us but you have so many bang average players at the moment whenever I see you play (which isn't often in fairness).
For comparison I look at Palace (12th place) and think I'd happily have Eze, Wharton, Mateta, Guehi or Lacroix at Newcastle. Maybe it's just recency bias and simply how bad you've been, maybe the players you've been linked with up front will turn you around (and I kind of hope they do as watching ****ing Americans suck the life out of Man Utd hasn't been fun) but even in the middle of the park your team look par and your goal-keeper is obviously a shambles.
I think Amorim will get about 8th next year and can then improve on that. I just don't know if he'll get more time than that.
Will definitely need some excellent business.
Striker wise, for instance, we're immediately going down a notch to a prospect like Delap, as good as he clearly could be, rather than an "I demand champions league football" type, like Gyokores.
Who even himself is a very costly risk, given his goals have come in the Portuguese league and is a huge notch down from the PL quality wise. He was ok in the Championship, but again.............
Cunha looks a good swap for Mount and/or Garnacho. Mainoo needs to be given game time in midfield, Casemiro needs a long term replacement.
Shaw needs to go, we need a RWB. Perfectly ok at centre half.
Keeper needs replacing also, to be absolutely honest.
Whereas, if we'd got CL football, we could be looking to sign maybe five top players, it's now just three, and promote from within and get rid of some of those who are now just hanging around in corners stinking the place out.
I'd agree, up to a point, we're definitely no worse than eight. But I'd also say that realistically we're a good shout for top six next season, when you consider the likes of Forest are currently up there.
All those mid table teams like Palace, and Brentford, and Brighton etc. will always just hang around mid table, recycling players along the way. You're also adding European football to a couple of them, as will Forest and your lot also have to cope and deal with that, whereas we won't.
Be good to have a season off Europe and all the mid week games and travel.
One Nick De Marco 
