Five years ago, the club hit rock bottom—relegated from the Premier League in 18th place with a record-low points total for that position in the 21st century. Fast forward to 2026, and a painful home loss to Bournemouth has effectively dashed hopes of European football. Despite the passage of time, the mood among fans feels just as bleak as it did back in 2021.

Under Marco Silva—arguably the club's second-greatest manager of this century—many believed this squad was more than capable of securing a spot in Europe. But looking back, perhaps those expectations were always a bit too high. The reality is that little has changed over these five years. The recruitment strategy remains the same: playing a game of chicken with other clubs, hoping to save a million or two on deadline day. Transfer fees have stayed flat, and even the style of football isn't far removed from the pre-Silva era.

The truth is, the club rarely—if ever—looked like serious contenders for European competition. The season has lacked any real forward momentum. A six-game unbeaten run in the winter, which included four wins, briefly lifted the team from 15th to 10th. But since that run ended in January, they've managed just five more victories, proving they belong in the bottom half of the table.

With the season winding down, it wouldn't be surprising if Silva finally announces his future this week—and many expect him to leave. His legacy will be remembered as one of stability, but also of missed expectations. Five years ago, stability alone would have been enough. But as rivals like Bournemouth, Brighton, and Brentford continue to evolve and progress, fans—rightly or wrongly—demand more.

Whether it takes a new manager or a complete shift in club strategy to satisfy that hunger remains to be seen.