Safety first

While not mathematically certain of staying up at the start of the month one could at least look at the league table with a little confidence and by the month end could reflect that mathematical survival was, in fact, secured during February.

Tuesday February 26 and the loyal 4,580 fans ( well maybe not the 80 or so from Chesterfield) could and should have held a party to celebrate survival as our 2-1 win took us to 47 points, three more than Bournemouth achieved by the season end.

Relegation? No, we were not even sweating. When did we last secure survival in February ?

First game of the month, on the 1st, away at Stoke and last season the same fixture was a real joke, as the team capitulated just as fans were looking for a party to celebrate staying up.

Matches against Stoke in recent seasons have brought little by way of points and once again a 2-0 defeat leaves us pointless.

Although at least we seem to be a little closer, in terms of performance. Perhaps the cycle will turn next season as good things do not last forever and it is time we once again took the points from the Potters.

Is it too much to ask for a repeat of the 6-0 thrashing we gave them a number of seasons ago?

Promotion-seeking QPR were next and a chance to take revenge for our heavy defeat early in the season.

Unfortunately, we ended up on the wrong end of a 1-0 defeat, although it did not really seem like it, as we deserved far better than that.

This type of match has happened quite frequently this season and if only we could close out games from a dominant position, then the future will be a lot more promising.

A trip to relegated Cambridge was a chance to restore a little pride and although the performance was perhaps not in the top drawer, a 2-1 victory gave Town fans who had made the trip to this somewhat meaningless game, in terms of league position, an enjoyable evening.

Who cares a win is a win and Town fans want victories and will saviour each one, after all they have been too infrequent in recent seasons.

Brighton away and a match that was to see them crowned as champions. If only it could have been us! But then again at least we can take heart from the fact not too long ago Brighton were in a far worse situation than us. While they cannot yet play in a ground they can be proud of, on limited resources and with the sheer dedication of their fans, they have dragged themselves back up the football pyramid.

There is a lesson there for all Town fans and let's hope next season there is some reward for our fans' loyalty, although as we were to learn in the following week, that may be at a price.

Last game of the season and as if with an air of relief that we had reached this far, an extremely vocal performance from fans.

Pre-match however there was an air of disbelief as fans took in the planned price increases for next season.

It was a really strange atmosphere as everyone appeared shell-shocked at the level of increase.

However, this disbelief did not transmit itself to a protest on the terraces. Why this did not happen, who knows, perhaps there was a realisation that the club is after all still on the brink and a protest of this nature could only hinder.

However, the board must have realised that there was a huge groundswell of opinion against the prices and within a few days had announced discounts on the planned prices, for season ticket holders.

A good move, as a there would have been a huge number who would not have renewed, judging by the feedback given on the day. The game itself ended 1-1 and closed a very satisfactory season given the circumstances.

Looking forward, we can only hope that there is a real plan in place to save the club and that in some way a business plan can be found not only to maximise income and contain costs, but at the same time get the balance between ticket pricing and encouraging more fans into games.

This is always going to be a difficult, if not an impossible task but it must be done.

Let's look forward with a renewed optimism. Next season may just be one we wish to remember for the right reasons. Let's hope fans enjoy the summer.