I honestly don't know. When we had our bad spell last season I was puzzled, because I continued to maintain that we had bought decent players. I think, in the last few years, and further back than that we have consistently suffered from not having enough money, and have generally had a decent first 11, but it all gets a bit thin after that. Also maybe, as fans, we have settled a bit too much for the mediocrity, knowing Delia didn't have the funds to make us competitive. Re Farke, I think with him and also Lambert we got two very good managers at the right time before they moved out of our price / ambition range. Perhaps when we had our good finish under Lambert then Delia should have stepped aside for someone with more cash to spend, but she'll tell you that there were no serious offers for the club.
I think the academy ticks along okay, we produce a lot of players good for League 1 / Champs level and as long as it financially sustains itself then you hope for the next Aarons / Murphy / Eadie.
I think we have a top 8 squad now, but yet again, injuries seem to be haunting us. I think the new owners have spent a reasonable amount of money, so I apportion no blame to them.
Said it before, I can't really put my finger on it, if anything we are trying to be a bit too attacking so far this season. And as much as I have always supported him, I really think we need a Kenny upgrade. Looking at the wider football picture though, the Premier league clubs just keep spending more and more, and the bar is constantly raised, and this reflects on the quality of the teams relegated. I think we have gone from not having enough money / quality to be established in the Prem to not having enough money / quality to even yo-yo any more.
I was honestly expecting more this season. There is still time but we need to sort our shit out, and quickly.