Stan: Leeds Were Looking Relegation In The Face

Last updated : 28 May 2008 By Kevin Markey
Staunton said: "It's been an excellent season, and it's a testament to the players that they went as close as they did.

"We've come up short, but the players have been absolutely superb, to a man. I'm disappointed obviously, but it's them I feel gutted for because they've given everything to this season and they've missed out by a tiny margin. Maybe this was one game too far for us.

"But when I think back to the start of the season, Leeds were looking relegation in the face. That's how I saw it. The penalty was so big that you didn't think there was any way they could do anything more than try to stay in the division. They've gone way beyond that, and we'll get better next season.

"To be at Wembley at all is a major, major achievement and I hope the players and the fans see it like that. Football's about making progress and if you look back 12 months you can see that this club has come from a difficult position to being healthy again.

"The statistics don't lie. We got enough points together this season to win promotion in normal circumstances, and it's these players who achieved that. I don't think too many clubs in League One will want to play us next year.

"We've said thank you to them for their efforts, a major thank you. It's also a thank you to Dennis Wise and Gus Poyet for what they did at the start of the season. That was a crucial period.

"We know we'll improve from here and we know we're going to get better because we've seen the improvement that's taken place in the time that Gary's been manager. We've got to be optimistic.

"We've got pre-season to work with the players and that's very important because it's when you put your own markers down and get your plans in place. It's a chance to cement our way of thinking because the players have had to take a lot on board over the past few weeks, at the very end of the season. We'll be better prepared for next season because we've got the whole summer to gear up for it.

"Good luck to Doncaster, and I wish them well in the Championship. But we know that were starting on an even keel next season and that makes a big difference."