The paucity of the ambition in the above posts ( not a criticism) is why the Premier League model will not ultimately be sustainable.
The greed is good nature of the set up will lead to a breakaway super league / greater split of tv revenues to the bigger clubs / ongoing hoovering up of talent from ‘lesser clubs.’
The wealthy owners have only just begun in their Machiavellian manoeuvres.
The essence of sport is competition and once you take that away what are you left with ?
The domination by Real Madrid and Barcelona has killed the game in Spain and it’s not that much better in Germany.
Total dominance is not necessarily attractive to fans of the dominant clubs either.
They’re not happy with a 1-0 v e.g Luton, demanding a 5-0.

For me a successful season would entail finishing above Fulham, Brentford and Brighton.
I can accept that we operate on a different level to the top 6 who we're unlikely to catch.
I can't accept that we operate on a different level to Fulham, Brighton and Brentford.
Once you accept that they too have overtaken us, it won't be long before the next club comes along to surpass you.
You're playing at moving forward, but in reality you're moving backwards.
The danger in aiming low is that you can still miss.

Why is it unrealistic?
I would take Johnstone, Guehi, Anderson, Doucoure, Lerma,Olise and Eze ahead of their equivalents in Fulham, Brentford and Brighton sides ( although Paulinha may have a shout).
Brighton has lost their entire central midfield and two of their best players from last last year.
Fulham has lost their main striker and key player in Mitrovic.
Brentford will be without top scorer and key player, Toney, for half a season.
I would say it's a perfectly reasonable objective to finish higher than these clubs.

Agree with your comments about Fulham and Brentford, but you must have a much brighter pair of red n blue glasses than me if you think that 3right0n will struggle this year