So, League One, the Universe and everything (long post)

[TheGoogler 604]

Right, first of all - sorry of the long post. During the course of the relegation through this season, I''ve been trying to keep my thoughts and opinions to myself. However, with promotion secured we can relax - and I''m keen to throw myself into the message board once more.

Last season was an absolute disaster for the club. Relegation in combination with consecutive managers dismantling a squad with a small amount of real quality and replacing it with utter, utter dross was just so demoralising. Players like David Carney, Chris Killen, Troy Archibald Henville and Omar Koroma were just such poor signings and just emptied our coffers out completely. Although Bryan Gunn had his hands tied somewhat by the state of the squad when he arrived, there can be no doubt that his lack of experience directly contributed to our relegation.

Still, relegation meant that the club had no choice but to look very closely at themselves. While that review kept Gunn in charge, for me, it was this review that brought the most fundamental change. McNally. Finally, someone with footballing experience and that streak of ruthlessness that means we did what we should have done earlier - ditching Gunn and bringing in a real manager in Lambert.

What a massive difference that man has made. Lambert clearly took the squad and forged them into a team. giving them confidence, purpose and great tactical direction. He''s definitely got the best out of certain players. Wes Hoolahan, Gary Doherty and Chrissy Martin look different players. Just as importantly, the players he''s brought in have all made an impact. None more so than Forster, who I think is a far better keeper already than David Marshall and is a few years his junior.

As for League One, I''ve really enjoyed the season - but I definitely would not want to be in Leeds'' shoes. I would not want to be in this league for more than a season - far from it. We''ve seen some tin pot teams come to Carrow Road and visited some grounds that make Portman Road seem like Wembley. So, to League One I say it''s nice having been here - but I hope we never come back.

Looking to the future, it''s clear we''ve got a lot of work to do. The Championship is a very competitive league, but there is room for the plucky underdog to do well in it. Get the right signings and we could do okay. We definitely need to get a quality keeper in. Joe Lewis is not a quality keeper. Roeder can be criticised for many things, but that particular sale I think he called correctly. I''d love to see Forster back - but I guess we''ll wait and see. I''d like to see another quality left full back, midfielder and striker to complement what we''ve got here.

So, big, big congratulations to McNally, Lambert and the team for all they''ve done. For me, McNally snatched success from the jaws of disaster when he acted as he did with Gunn and Lambert - but from then on, that team has been faultless. More of the same next season please.