When Eddie came back the previous October, I did a calculation (based on points per game from Eddie's appointment in 2008/9, to the end of that season), and worked out a similar improvement from 21st would leave us about 10th by the end of the season, with a late outside chance of the playoffs.
In the event, we went top on 12th February and would have won the League with ease but for the poor spell Preston to Doncaster. Remembering the Greatest Escape and what an achievement that was, goes to show what a hell of an achievement automatic promotion was when Eddie came back.