Was looking over that 97/98 season recently. Remembered we finished 13th, but did not remember how bad we did in the league.
Though 13th, we were level on points with 14-16th, only ahead on goal difference. We finished with 44 points, while Bolton were relegated on 40 points.
The Barcelona win and the FA Cup final appearance obviously gloss over it, but we weren't far at all off relegation!
Just a year after getting 68 points with the best goal difference in the league. In 96/97 we scored 73 and in 97/98 35.
I'm sure we had a huge six-pointer late in the season which we won 2-1!