Agree with all of that.
The thing that has pissed me off / depressed me most over the last 18 months has been the impression that the players were being held back. No they're not the greatest squad in the world but they sure as hell are'nt as bad as they've appeared.
The bit at the end about mid-table being a welcome improvement, but nothing to brag about is absolutely spot on. After the last few years a season or two of mid-table obscurity will be a welcome relief. Maybe afterwards "we can go again"