Now we are basically safe, I feel there's a contrast with 12 months ago. When we stayed up last season, we limped over the line in uninspiring fashion and there was a real sense that we would be relegated sooner or later. Years of ownership changes, mismanagement at Board level and poor recruitment catches up with you eventually, even though we survived last year.
This season it appeared those concerns were true. We were poor for the early part of the season and the issues ran far deeper than Clement. At the time we sacked Gourlay and Clement I really did not see any hope. If anything, Clement's final few games were some of his best. The timing seemed I'll thought out, there was no clear replacement plan. I've supported the team since 2000 and it was our lowest ebb.
Clearly excellent decisions have been made since then. Howe is back, Gomes seems an inspired appointment and we absolutely nailed the January transfer window, both the ingoings and outgoings. There's a sense of optimism, a turned corner.
There realistically has to be caution to go with that. We made a £21m loss last year, we still have big earners at the club. Some of our key players are loanees. In a FFP constrained environment, we will be relying upon loans and bargains. Survival must be the objective next season.
However, longer term, I see owners who haven't quit despite seeing a big outlay last year return eff all. I see our old CEO from a successful era at the helm. I see a manager who has a great relationship with the fans and players. There is a clear spine we can build our team around now (Moore, Yiadom, Rinho, Meite, Barrow. I'd love to add Baker to the list). The atmosphere in the stadium is transformed.
It will take 3-4 years, but I see no reason why we can't go back to using scouting, our academy and hard work to punch above our weight and compete at the top of this division again.
Now watch the Chinese get bought out by the Oyston's this summer and make a mockery of my optimism.