Nobody at the start of the season could have possibly envisaged the achievements that have been made, the lads have been magnificent! This made the Grimsby game an even more bitter pill to swallow.

It was not the fact we lost, we have lost before at home and in fairness, not as many times as we probably thought we would, but the method of defeat was unacceptable. There was no pride, passion, cohesion, commitment or fluency.

Being a supporter is not cheap (it costs me about 12 per cent of my weekly government pension for a home ticket) therefore value for money must come into the equation.

At half-time, we expected the team, after receiving a rather colourful team talk, to come out fighting! That was wishful thinking. nothing changed! Substitutions were just as ineffective! It really was a bad day at the office.

In my opinion, fans had the right to show their disapproval and maybe, just maybe, the lads have made a mental note of the supporters' conclusions and make sure it does not happen again! Anybody can have a bad day but if we are going to lose, let's go down fighting with passion, pride and dignity.

Regarding the recent blip, in my opinion it is all down to one man, Joe Lewis! Having watched football at Christie Park for 50 years, I believe he is the best keeper to have pulled on a Morecambe shirt, bearing in mind there have been some good ones over the years. If he had stayed there was a strong possibility that we could have got promotion, one way or another. He papered over the defensive cracks, rectified most of their mistakes and filled the place with an air of confidence.

Scott Loach came and looked like being a decent second choice but then, and in no way do I want to sound derogatory, we have been left with Peterborough's third choice keeper and our second choice from last season.

We may have got away with it in the Conference but League Two is a different scenario. The defence has been found wanting and mistakes have clinically been punished with alarming regularity, the air of confidence has all but disappeared which has had a knock-on effect to the whole squad.

In a way we should be thankful that Big Joe left. He had done his job! Cup runs, giant killings and League status guaranteed. If he had stayed problems might not have been so manifest. At least the problems are now known and plans for next season can be initiated in good time.

Regarding the retained list for next season, I am certain it will be shorter than what would have been envisaged over Christmas and no doubt will be shorter than the released list.

Good luck Sammy and Mark. I am certain the picture is much clearer now and you will, without doubt, do what needs to be done.

D W Bleasdale, Bolton-le-Sands