Well, it wasn't a bad Champions League final was it? Liverpool played fairly well but at the end of the day, as is the case in the beautiful game, if you don't score, you don't win. I can't understand Benitez's tactics though. Why play two widemen with no target man? Zenden and Pennett are by no means regulars, so why play them? Decent players, without doubt, but not world beaters. Also, Dirk Kuyt is a good striker but had Crouch played alongside him, there would have been some pressure on the "shaky" looking Nesta and Maldini. Football is all if's, but's and maybe's and we all have different opinions but, in my humble opinion, Liverpool blew a great chance to become the European Champions again.

Now on to the play-offs. What are your thoughts on them? Play off or turn off? I personally think they are great. Teams lying in 7th, 8th or 9th still have a decent chance of gaining promotion when otherwise they'd have nothing to play for. On the other hand, you could argue that a team finishing 3rd deserves to go up. Also, having watched Preston in a few play off campaigns, the games are nervy, exciting, tense affairs.

For this weekends fixtures, I'm ging for WBA, Blackpool and Bristol Rovers. That will be the kiss of death for those teams now!! Personally, I'd love Blackpool to come up. We haven't played them for a few years, PNE v. Blackpool is a great game for both sets of fans. Also, we'd be guaranteed six points before we kick off the season!!

As for next year, I fear for Bolton. Big Sam did such a fantastic job with them but I don't think little Sam has the same presence or know-how. I'm going for Bolton, Fulham and Birmingham to go down next year, with Reading and the play off winners to struggle too.

Oh well, as another season draws to a close we can all put our feet up and enjoy the summer. I'll be back next year at Deepdale as a married man, I hope that PNE return a different team and finally clinch that Premiership spot!! I can dream, at least!!