I think it is a good sign.
I think it reflects that we might actually have a chance. Apart from 87/88 where I realised that we were going to win the league at St James' in September and then just turned up and enjoyed every game, winning has always been a bit stressful for me. A mediocre performance, and they happen in title winning seasons too, seem more difficult to swallow if they could deny you the prize. A mediocre player, getting stick from the fans, be it Dossena now or Gary Ablett in the past (again scapegoats have always been there) is more than just another reason we are not challenging and could mean we don't triumph in May.
All that said I also think I have changed as I have got older and can enjoy the good times more. We may not win the league but I have learnt to try and enjoy life so am going to enjoy the fact that we are challenging, enjoy Stevie banging them in, every Riera flick, every time Torres leaves a defender for dead (as long as his hamstring is intact), every Carra block and scream to "get out" and every save from Mr Reina. As a great man once said life is too short to fuck around.
But then I have paid good money to have fat lasses in stilettos stand on me so maybe I have a different view of the world!
YNWA