Originally Posted by
Eric the Half a Bee
All totally irrelevant and I'll explain why.
In 20 years the highest point tally for 6th at this moment in the season was 68 points (2014/15, Derby and Ipswich both had that in 6th and 7th respectively). That season Ipswich finished 6th with 78 points. Unsurprisingly, the seasons that had the highest points after 40 games generally had the highest points after 46 games.
This season has seen the promotion chasers gaining the 2nd worst number of points in 20 years. Working out averages is pointless. For your info 74 points would suffice, but making any claim that is what will be needed is ludicrous, simply because of the much lower than normal points won.
Flip the thing on its head and say this season has seen teams in and around the top 6 with a far higher points tally. Suppose we had 68 points. Claiming 74 would be enough for a playoff spot would be as equally daft!