The fact that we haven't had a top 6 place for over 45, years and lets be honest most of those we haven't even been close to a top 6 place is an utter embarrassment. You would probably be hard pressed to find another team in any sport in the world with such an awful record.
During our long period of seasons in the top flight there were many seasons and games when Highfield Road was more than half empty. Gates of 8,000/9,000 were quite regular. Even during the 1987 season gates were often quite low.The week before we played Sheff Wed in the Q/F ,we played them at home in the league, and there were less there than went to Hillsborough a week later.
Finishing 17th in the top flight maybe more meritorious, than winning Division 1 but it would be the latter that would genuinely excite the fans.A sold out Ricoh Arena for the so called tinpot JPT area final showed only too clearly that fans crave success/victories at whatever level.
I can clearly remember a MOTD a few years back, where Burnley fans were streaming out of Turf Moor on going 3/4? down against I think Man City halfway through the first half. Playing in the Premiership was scant consolation to their fans, as they were being given a footballing lesson.
Football is a tribal sport, where fans overwhelmingly are partisan, fans want to be entertained but above all else they want their team to win.