Not sure why people are confused. From the outside looking in we've been sliding down the table over the years getting closer.
If we sell off our talent this summer (which looks likely to people as we're seen to have financial trouble) and don't recruit well it could well be game over. We're seen to make silly signings like Chris Brunt or Danny Simpson so I could understand why someone could bet on it with an outside look in.
Obviously us fans know better, our state on the pitch has actually improved.