You'd have got long odds on Brighton, Brentford and Fulham being above Liverpool and Chelsea with less than half a season left. It shows what can be achieved with top-class strategy, recruitment and management.
While the big guns are currently struggling to gel, their smaller rivals are reaping the rewards of patient club-building. They were all in the third tier at one time.
Success usually depends on the vision of the ownership, buying and selling the right players at the right time, and finding a talented manager who fits in with the club ethos.