Whilst Ajja's post sums up most of the argument, here's my addition.
No-one seems to take into account we have become a selling club, replacing half-decent talent with half-incapable talent.
The expectation HAS to drop with the lack of investment we've had in recent years, but it doesn't seem to.
The fact remains, we are a poorer playing squad than last Jan, and the summer before, to say we can play better football and SHOULD be 3rd, with a Cup Final, etc, etc. Just doesn't seem like a realistic target for me.
I also think Jimmy has done well, his replacement players are not all that bad, but we haven't replaced Barry Nic, Anderson or Hart.
Is that his fault? or the fault of an under-investment policy from above?
It's great we are a club operating in profit (because - and only because - of player sales) but it can't continue like that forever, to get gates up we need better players, and better results. We can maybe get the better results with the players we have, but don't expect good football.
And as for the "real" vs "so-called" fans debate - there is no such thing - it isn't up to other's to judge how 'good' a fan you are.
We are all 'supporters' - and I would like to think would always support the 11 men that turn out for us - no matter how good or bad.