The telling thing is that phrase "Tubby sailing close to the wind".
We can all look back and ask what if Rafa had only been given £20m more to spend. What could we have got for Mitro + £10 and Gayle + £10m. Chances are that we could have been safe by now. Instead, the fat man will be looking at plenty of TV money in his bank account come the end of the season.
Personally, I feel the outcome will depend on how many games Slimani plays in. Rafa can set the team up well but it needs a bit of quality to finish.
Southampton becomes a big game psychologically before a 3 week break, then Huddersfield is winnable. West Brom makes it 9 points with Leicester, Watford and Everton having little to play for. Hopefully, Chelsea and Spurs may have other things on their mind and Arsenal can be vulnerable.
I reckon we have just enough to stay ahead of West Brom, Stoke, Palace, Swansea and Southampton.