Looking back at the season
It has been a rude awakening in the Championship. We started off well and looked a decent striker short of a team heading for the play-offs. However, the wins turned to draws and then to losses with the change in manager and a massive turnover of players. It's taken until the end of the season to come full circle and string some wins together as George Burley has finally got his team, playing his way.
Happy with the gaffer?
I was both surprised and delighted when Burley was appointed, as he looked the strongest candidate available and we were a club in turmoil. Despite a poor string of results when he arrived, he has slowly turned things round and things are looking bright for next season.
Who were the stars, and who flopped?
It's more a question of who's still here with the bulk of the Premiership squad having moved on as we adjusted to life in the Championship. The shinning star was 16 year old Theo Walcott and it was a big blow to lose him to the Premiership so early. The only constants in our side were defenders Higginbotham and Lundekvam, with Lundekvam edging player of the season for his return to form this season. Ricardo Fuller deserves a mention for turning from zero to hero in fans eyes.
Who were the best, and worst, away fans?
The best were the Leeds fans who sung we're going to win 4-3 at 3-0 down. It was the turning point of our season when they turned out to be right. Didn't hear a peep out of the few Crewe fans to make the long trip south.
Top hate figure at another club.
It has to be (ex-)Palace's Andy Johnson and his diving. The (former) best striker in the Championship, he really doesn't need to do it.
Note: extracts from this review were originally published in an interview with The Observer. If they have any objections to using it here, let me know.