This is just my opinion but i think that the license system is responsible for our lack of improvement this season.
With no relegation the first season after the license is issued the club do not need to splash out on decent players etc they can save money and put the effort into season 2 and 3 of the license in order to build a stronger case for the next round.
Whilst promotion and relegation can prove to be a yo yo system the licensing seems is giving us year 1 mediocrity.