A third season of complete non-achievement is hurting me and I'm not sure I can take another one. From being on the verge of Premiership survival to being the most over-rated team in this league, we find ourselves wishing the season to end again.

A third season of complete non-achievement is hurting me and I'm not sure I can take another one.

From being on the verge of Premiership survival to being the most over-rated team in this league, we find ourselves wishing the season to end again.

I have to say, though, as we approach the end of the season that I have faith in Peter Grant bringing in the numbers required to give us a better squad. I'm not sure if the cash available will be enough to bring in the desired quality without sacrificing a jewel or two, but if it's possible, Grant will do it.

Certainly, in terms of wages, the possible loss of some the so-called better players should help our financial cause.

One of the things I am absolutely certain about is that our pre-season training will expand past its usual fag-packet size of notes, and if we are to see a number of people arrive in the summer, the majority will need to be in place before this happens.

We have to hit the ground running next season in order to get confidence rolling.

Many fans are already speculating on the possible in and outs, and the non-entity that this season has been will only heighten speculation and hasty judgments.

I do not mind if we bring in a load of unknowns - as long as they can do a job for us.

Grant doesn't do excuses so I hope there will be no season-opening arrivals who come with the usual 'Tired', 'Behind in fitness', 'Getting up to speed' and then the inevitable 'You haven't seen the best of me' press headlines in October.

Whatever happens during the summer, 2007-08 has to see a minimum of the play-offs for the benefit of our image and our ability to keep hold of players such as Robert Earnshaw, as well as the stability around the club.

Maybe that expectation is a bit unfair during the rebuilding work the management is trying to undergo, but as we keep being told, we could still go up this season!

We cannot allow ourselves to be dragged into the same mire that our rivals find themselves in.

One of the things I remain unsure about is the degree to which our manager has Plans B, C and so on. When Grant has selection issues due to injuries or suspensions, there is a persistent fiddling with the team that worries me.

When necessary, players do need to play out of position, but changing positions and formations every few minutes only causes concern on the terraces and anomie on the pitch. Peter the Pointer is quickly becoming Peter the Tinkerman.

It suggests two things: 1) that there is improper planning, and 2) that we are struggling to get a foothold in the game.

t Unfortunately, the club have said they are unable to offer us an alternative date for NCISA's forum with Peter Grant this season, so we have had to cancel the event. We hope to arrange another forum in due course.

OTBC!

t www.ncisa.co.uk