Deflating end of the season, could have finished in dominant style and began a charge to take through the summer and into the season, but alas, we have run out of gas. Disappointing but in reality we have achieved what we have set out to accomplish this season, and have done so with a group made largely of inexperienced youngsters who will only get better (With a few old farts sprinkled in) and a squad that at it's core has come all the way from League One in the space of three years.
We are much closer to the top half than it seems, both in regards to our points total and quality. The sad reality is that whilst some of our players have shown that they belong at this level, some have shown that they don't, and that has undermined us more than anything. People think that the transition from also-rans to winners has to be done through an overhaul of players and huge investment, but the most important change is mental. We've conceded just as many points through a lack of confidence and belief as we have from poor play or lack of quality. The overriding impact Ferguson has had on United is mentality, he hasn't necessarily built the best squads (Although he's had some good ones), or had the best tactics, but he has produced footballing machines designed only to gain points and not affected by the same strife as mere mortals. I'm not saying we need to replicate this or that we will, but is the area in which we most need to make the biggest strides, we will do this with a lot effort, a bit of time, a bit of luck and a unified belief flowing from the top through the management, players and fans.
It's been the case all season, people get too carried away when we win and too suicidal when we lose. All the reasons we had for optimism two or three weeks ago remain, we have a lot of progress left to be made but no more than we have already made. Next week isn't a time to be counting points, goal difference, goals scored, or any of that (Not the time to do it now, either), it is time to support and thank the players, Nicola, Mauricio and Nigel for taking us to a position we couldn't have dreamt of three years ago, and looking forward to where we will be in three years time.
