Last day survival. Been there. Done that.

We didn’t survive on the last day of the season as often as many football fans think.

As I recall there were only three occasions but I may be wrong. No doubt someone with a better memory than me will let us know.

I certainly remember playing Wimbledon at the Dell. I thought we were going to have the usual hard game against them but instead I think half of their players were already on the beach and we survived.

I well remember going to West Ham on the last day of the season which was the first time I have seen grown men crying and hugging and kissing each other once we knew we were safe. Many fans had taken those squeaky toys that sounded like Alan Ball and all we could hear as we walked across the concourse at Waterloo was these toys being squeezed.

Then there was the glorious game against horrible Everton when Marion scored two beauties to keep us up.

I’m not sure which is the most wonderful feeling surviving on the last day or winning promotion?

Who will survive on Sunday?

Do I really care? Well if I had a preference it would be a negative one as I would prefer it to be Blackpool and Birmingham who go down as I don't particularly like either manager.

I will enjoy chanting "Championship? You're having a laugh." should we end up playing Blackpool next season.

 

Blackpool are nailed on to go down for me, Wolves and Blackburn will play out a West Germany v Austria 1982 style draw. Birmingham will lose to Tottenham defending 5th, so Wigan need a point from Stoke... I think they will do it. Blackpool and Birmingham down. On a side note Blackpool to qualify for Europa League via fair play so 2 Championship teams in Europe.

 

Saints last day surviving 93/94, 95/96, 96/97,98/99 = 4

 

I have a feeling Blackpool might get something from Old Trafford with Man U having already sealed the league and the players having their eye on the CL.

 

A Man Utd second team destroyed Schalke, and Fletcher is back and wants to prove his fitness for the CL final.

 

Surely the season where we stayed up 2009/09 against Sheffield Utd at home counts? Or are we only talking prem?

 

Should read 08/09

 

Not accoording to OS.............See great escapes........

 

St Godders asks which is better; the joy of going up, or the relief at staying up? Going up is a real rush, but in terms of raw emotion, the release of pressure from a last day escape tops that, in my opinion. The difference is that the heightened emotion only lasts for a short while, whilst the pleasure of going up, lasts the whole summer and beyond. Maybe it's the same amount of joy and relief spread over a longer period and that's why it feels less intense?

 

Staying up is a better moment because of all the pain and torment that comes before it. Going up is just the continuation of a season long warm glow.

 

Their seconds didn't destroy us. They won, but only after bringing on Giggs and Nani and it was hardly a demolition. I just think Blackpool will want it more and could sneak it. I don't really rate Holloway as a manager, but I doubt he'll let them fizzle out with a whimper with survival at stake.