I agree with this. Rated as a pretty excellent RB at this level when we first bought him, and yet we shoehorn a CB to play in lieu of him while he warms the bench. Smacks of overcomplicating things.
I think you're conflating having a squad with players being paid a lot and thus unsustainable at this level with a squad that can still compete at the top at this level. The two aren't mutually exclusive.
Even optimistic, positive me sees the automatic places as a tricky ask. If we win the games against Leicester, Leeds and Ipswich, who knows.
Play-offs could be good fun. Certainly an exciting prospect! I'm enjoying the ride. Been a while since we've had the roller coaster of play-off games.
Strap yourselves in!