Not that there isn’t a lot of truth in what you say, but the statistical pedant in me feels obliged to point out that W6D8L8 = 26 points from 22 games =54 points over 46 = a couple of points clear of relegation. Still not great, I’ll grant you.

The level of expectation.

Two years ago we had a fantastic season. It was the biggest over-achievement against expectation in the club’s history. We expected to go down, but we went up.

Last year we expected to go down. We tried valiantly, but we delivered precisely against expectation.

This year, after our fast start, we expected to be promoted but didn’t achieve it. (It felt worse for those of us attending mainly home games. Personally, I witnessed a record of W6D8L8 : a points-per-game ratio that would have had us relegated across the full season. Down instead of up. The flip of two years ago.)

That’s why this season has been so painful for so many of us.

The answer? It’s not Boothroyd’s team-selection, signings, tactics, managerial decisions. Nothing like that.

The answer is to stop kidding ourselves. Stop kidding ourselves that we can be a Top Ten Premier League club by 2010. Stop kidding ourselves we can afford to risk £3.5m on a dodgy striker and hope he comes good. Stop kidding ourselves we can win promotion again without an exceptional talent we sold for £10m and didn’t replace. Stop kidding ourselves Henderson can score goals when he isn’t partnered by someone the opposition fear more - i.e. Marlon King. (Look at Hendo’s record.) Stop kidding ourselves that effort, belief and ‘character’ are all you need to win matches. (Creating chances helps.)

All this season I kidded myself. With the result that expectation ruined my season. Yet it was the club’s tenth highest finish ever.

Aidy says he’s learned some lessons this season. So have I. In future I shall genuinely expect nothing - the way the club taught me, back in the late 60s and early 70s. I’ll hope, I’ll shout. I’ll occasionally tut. But I won’t expect. Expectation is just too painful. Too much like being a Wolves fan. And that’s the last thing I’d want to be.

Did anyone notice they missed out on the play-offs again, by the way?

I have to say I am not as disappointed at our failure as I had expected. Though I doubt we’ll ever go up again - I can’t wait for the transfer window and the new season… To quote many a BSAD preview - Bring It On!

Although the last two games have been an improvement I still think Aidy will need a major revamp of personnel and style of play over the summer. However IMO the main difference over the last two games between us and Hull has been the quality of delivery into the box. We seemed to hit and hope while Hull on most occasions found their man with their crosses.

Ultimately if there was one turning point in the season it was the end of the loan period of Adam Johnson. I feel that if we could have persuaded ‘Boro to have allowed him to stay on a season long loan we could have kept the momentum going regardless of the loss of other key players.

C’mon Aidy, be at your persuasive best and try to get him back to the Vic permenantly from the start of next season.

The two key positions where I see us needing to bring in new faces from outside are up front, where we need a consistent goalscorer - I wonder if Kevin Phillips will be offloaded now that West Brom are going up? - and a commanding centre-half who can do for the defence what Eustace did for the midfield when he arrived.

Other than that, I think our returning loanees (Robinson and Ashikodi up front, Parkes and Loach at the back) should be given a chance in the Championship. With all that and a fit Gareth Williams in midfield, I’d be fairly happy with the squad.

As to farewells, it sounds like Demerit will be off, and I’d also offload Priskin, Ellington and Hoskins, plus Shittu if we get a like-for-like replacement.

Although the last few minutes were very painful, the performances of the last two games have been encouraging. For me, the player who seems to have benefitted most is Lee Williamson and I believe he has to be in the team if we are to carry on in this style. Sadly, Richard’s decision just before half time probably changed the game in an instant and will probably be the nail in his coffin as far as Aidy is concerned.

So what’s required for next season ?
Well, a keeper (possibly Loach), a centre back or two (depending on whether both Shittu and Demerit leave) and after watching last night’s game we desperately need a genuine goalscorer. For all the good creative build up play too often there was no-one in the right place in the box at the end of it. I know it’s a long shot but what about Hoskins ? I actually feel slightly guilty that we took a young player scoring goals for fun and turned him into a poor winger.
The players who I think we need to build the team around are Smith, Williamson, McAnuff, Ellington, Ainsworth, Priskin and maybe Eustace and Williams. ie the ones who are actually comfortable with the ball at their feet.

I guess it could be an interesting summer/lead up to next season as we see who leaves and who joins…..

There’s an exceptional player there just waiting to be let out and maybe if we’re changing to a passing style we need to be thinking about building a side around our better quality players?

To Aidy’s eternal credit, we all called for a shake up and he delivered, it’s just that it turns out we don;t have enough players of the required quality and concentration levels.

However before we look at new players, I’d say the recruitment of a replacement for Kieth Burkinshaw should be the first priority? I think Aidy thought he’d learnt enough to cut it alone but an older more grizzled head around the place might just work to everyone’s advantage.

What’s GT up to now that he’s turned down the blades (!)

As for next season? I really can’t imagine (or believe) that Ellington will be allowed to stay. I shudder to think what his goals/salary-transfer fee ratio is. Anyone care to work it out?

Aidy must build on the good points of our team: Eustace (who was immense last night IMO), Smith (need I say more), Theo Robinson who could be fun, Jobi when in the mood - and the ball is actually given to him in proper areas (as per last night), Marriappa who could be a fine player, Loach who by some accounts may be No.1 next year, amongst other potential highlights.

I think there’s plenty to be positive about, but then the cynic in me suggests it will be a tough, tough season coming.

I’m off to mourn a very painful, failed season.