Sludge said we'd finish where we are now. That's his prediction. He set the goal posts.
Much depends on our transfer activity. If Tan decides not to spend, we have no chance of a top half finish.
Regardless of all of that, we finished 21st last season. A top half finish in the next season from such a position is unusual. Top 6 is very rare. We overachieved at the start of the season and our current form is more like what I'd expect. I just find it very frustrating that we were playing well at the start of the season, and now our performances are utter garbage, not far off what we had last season.