Despite having a 9 point gap between us and the bottom 3, we must not get complacent on the reaching safety, just carry on being focused with the next game.

I don't think any teams will be cut adrift at the bottom this season. If Watford can get their new manager right, then I would expect them to pickup, whilst Norwich have showed they can be a match for anyone (especially at home).

Even Southampton manage to dig out some results, especially when they a proven goalscorer in Danny Ings. Whilst Everton will no doubt change their manager and again, if they get it right will pick up.

Will 40 points be enough this year?
I've done some sums to see if I can get my head around it.
This year there are 4 teams clear at the top and we are top of the remaining 16 teams that are all close together on points.

Looking at last season's final table:
In the final table last season the average points per team was 53 however 6 teams were well ahead of the rest.
The bottom 14 teams averaged 42.5 points.
If you add in the teams that came 5th and 6th last year to the mix (to make it like the table this year) the average points per team of the botton 16 clubs was nearly 46.

Therefore, I conclude that if the league stays as tight as it is now with only the top 4 breaking away then we could easily need more than 40 points to stay up and experimenting once we reach 40 would be dangerous this season and just like Palace to be relegated in such circumstances.

If we keep playing the way we are maybe we can look upwards this season rather than downwards? I appreciate it's not in our DNA, and we have a shed load of injuries, but those coming in have all exceeded expectations so far. Long may it continue.