yes the premiership is that much better now. Not just the top teams, the lower teams have much better players now then they did before imo. Its become a harder league also the players are a lot fitter now then they were and really now any side between places 10 - 4 could get a spot in europe and 3 or 4 of them could push for 4th place.
Houllier was almost there a couple of seasons ago. 82 points and finishing above united was a great achievement. Has the team really changed that much in one and a half seasons? If we make 3 good signings in the summer and the majority of players stay fit next season, whats to say we cant win it?