From the Real Progress group

YOU have to be a Seasiders fan to understand how frustrated most of us feel right now.

At the start of April we had high hopes of automatic promotion and now we are out of the play-off zone and relying on those footballing giants Rochdale to make a mess of things.

Although we won on Saturday some of the recent performances have been unacceptable.

If only the players had the same passion as the supporters.

Most fans are realists and don't expect to win every game or produce fantastic performances every week, but what we do expect and demand is players giving 100% and fighting for the cause.

Supporters help pay their wages and signing on fees, and have to scrape together money for tickets, merchandise, travel etc and to treat us with spineless performances is just not on.

When things are going well the players and management deserve to take all the plaudits, so when things are the opposite, they must expect the criticism.

The manager must share some of the blame with his baffling choice of personnel.

It is fair enough fans criticising after the match, as fans have paid there money, but Steve McMahon has a habit of slating individual players publicly,which might have a detrimental effect on the players so much so that they are gripped by fear, knowing if they make a mistake they might be publicly slaughtered by the manager. Berate the team but keep criticism of individuals inside the dressing room.

With season ticket details released by the club for next season, it's imperative we get out of the basement division or the novelty of the new development will soon be forgotten as above all else it's what happens on the field of play that matters most.

All we can hope for now is a bit of luck and the odd miracle and we can look forward to Second Division football next season -- or then again!