league position dictates all to me. if we're higher than 8th...we've progressed. i don't see a science to it at all. i'm really unconcerned about other teams points tallies. i just want to know that we finised above them.
i would go along with the theory that the table doesn't lie. we finished 8th last season cos we were pretty much the 8th best team.
Personally, I agree that position takes precedence over points total, but I do see joecool's point that points total can present a marker of progress too. I just don't agree that it's more important than placement.
We finished 8th with 52 points last season. I think if we finished 9th, I'd be very disappointed, but if we finished 9th with 58 or 59 points then it'd be a consolation and I'd say fair enough, we have amassed more wins and draws than last season. Neither train of thought is without merit.