In reply to Rob Exile Ward:
The nature of the game is that upsets are always possible- far more than in Rugby for example - but these normally get levelled out over a season. You might get a small team doing well in a cup - tranmere in 2000 - but less likely in the league. And yes having a team of "galaticos" doesn't ensure success, it brings with it its own problems, big egos, high expectations. But nonetheless it did seem that it would require the sort of money spent by Chelsea and Man city to into the top four.
Something else which has changed is patience, or rather the lack of it. Fans expect changes to be made, new players brought in, managers sacked unless they bring the required level of success - look at Mouriniiho. Great for agents, but no way to build a good team. Which is why it's great to see Leicester (and Spurs) succeeding - in both cases the team are greater than the sum of the parts.