Life is a Roller Coaster - especially of you are a City fan

So two games to go before the end of another roller coaster season for City fans.

After the heroics of last season which just fell short of a second successive promotion, the majority of the Walkers faithful were optimistic of us going one better this season with Paulo Sousa at the helm. A disastrous start to the campaign left us bottom of the pile at the end of September after the 4-3 defeat at Norwich with 5 points from 9 games and that signaled the end of the road for Mr Sousa.

That start left Sven with the proverbial mountain to climb but gradually City started to climb the table. The Walkers became somewhat of a fortress and the impossible dream started to become a distinct possibility. After Waggy's late, late strike against Bristol City that gave us a 2-1 we sat in seventh place only a point off the play offs.

That proved a false dawn and would be the closest we got to the promised land. Inconsistency was to prove fatal to the play off bid. This was never so well illustrated as Burnley were put to the sword in a 4-0 romp only to be followed 72 hours later by a frustrating 1-1 home draw with relegation threatened Crystal Palace. In truth we've not been quite good enough but that awful start was to be our true Achilles heel.

The players brought in have been a mixed bag and the consensus seems to be that we've included too many loanees who do not always show the same fighting spirit as our own.

Sven has allegedly been given a £10 million transfer budget to build for next season. It needs to be spent wisely. Kyle Naughton would be a great acquisition if we could get him on a permanent deal. The Yak will always score goals but needs to show a lot more desire and spirit. A quality goalkeeper must be a priority, but the chances of getting Westwood from our near neighbours would appear remote.

Interesting to compare this point in the season with the same time last season. At present we sit in 11th spot on 63 points. At the same stage last season we were 5th on 70 points after beating Watford 4-1 on April 17th. Are we a better side now than then? Was NP a better manager and motivator than Sven? Its a debate that could roll on but is all pretty immaterial really now.

One thing's for sure its going to be an interesting summer. Who will we sign?
Can we hang on King, Wellens et al and only three months to go before Real Madrid come to the Walkers.

So apart from yours truly how has the season gone for the other inhabitants of the Mud Hut. Much like us, its been a mixed bag. "Mike the Manc" has the Premiership all but wrapped up and is hoping for the CL / Prem double. He's still taking no end of stick after their FA Cup semi final defeat though.

"Southend Iain's" season finished a while ago in mid-table mediocrity.
"The Haddock" has had an awful time with the Mariners in the BS Conference. Grimsby sit in ninth spot and miles from a League return.

"Baldy Brian" the Tiger still clings on to the slim hope of a play off spot for Hull but it looks doubtful.

North of the border for "Don the Hun", Rangers are 1 point ahead of the Auld Enemy but have played one game more. Celtic's title to lose you would think in what has been the most depressing season ever for Rangers and Celtic and Scottish football generally.

The real happy camper is "Andy the Par" after Dunfermline's 2-1 win over Raith Rovers in front of 11,000 at East End Park last Saturday sees them four points clear at the summit of the Scottish First Division.
A win at Morton on Saturday will see them crowned as champions.

Reports and blogs will continue during the close season from the Mud Hut, but in the meantime enjoy the summer and UP THE CITY !!!!!!

Malabo Fox for LTID