Wednesday night saw a sorry end to a better-than-expected season. We'd given ourselves such a good chance by taking the draw at Upton Park, and yet in a match that could've sent us within a win of promotion, we failed to play.

Not for the first time we started well and threatened, but we faded as the first half went on, with West Ham always looking to break as they did on Saturday.

The half time teamtalk this time seemed to have hit home for the Hammers, and they bossed much of the second half and when they finally scored after an hour, to be honest they never looked back.

Their first should've been defended better, both from the cross coming in when Richards perhaps could've prevented it, but definitely right there in the 6 yard box when Naylor was a yard behind Zamora as he tapped home.

I think the second was just a great goal, a superb first time volley gently lifted beyond Davis after a speculative forward ball floated towards the penalty spot.

Until then we were lacklustre anyway and only occasionaly threatened the West Ham goal. That seemed to be a problem more so as the game went on and the visitors tightened their rearguard.

So there it ends. Another season terminated by playoff agony. What now?

It is easy to be positive about the season just gone. We were not expected to be in contention for promotion anyway, and a year ago perhaps not expected to still be in business. The team performed beyond itself, and therein lies the problem facing us for next season.

With key players reaching the latter stages of their careers and no kitty with which to aid their replacement (well, I presume at least) then what shape will an already thin squad be in come the end of summer?

We will have one or two to bring out of the academy, and I'm sure in time their talents will bear fruit, but surely not first team regulars for a year or two?

Another very bitter pill we'd better line our stomachs for will be the inevitable sale of our prized assets. Bent? Davis? Miller or Kuqi even? Only time will tell, but without strength in numbers any outgoing players will be missed. And you can almost guarantee that any price achieved will be disappointing, such has been the case with recent sales after sending out not-so-clever financial distress signals.

Oh well it's not all doom and gloom, there'll be a local derby next season, and of course we've still got the Hadleigh Show to look forward to... yeah you're feeling better already, right?

Anyone get a feeling of dread before the game? The playoffs are not good for the nerves, you can ask any Ipswich fan that. How many times have we been here? Too many.

Pre-match down at Upton Park the atmosphere was pumped up, with the travelling Tractor Boys giving a good account of themselves. Having the fixtures this way around is definitely an advantage for us, and the home leg should be electric if the mid-day-ish game was anything to go by.

I hope we get off to a better start Wednesday night though, as it was less than impressive to go 2 goals down so early on. That feeling of dread was now becoming fully justified. Needn't have worried though, this is Town after all and I should've expected us to do things the hard way.

At the time most people around me had the daggers drawn for Diallo thanks to his part in the 2 goals conceded. On reflection, and tv replays of course, that might be a little harsh, but only a little! Naylor seemed to have been impeded, ok chopped down for the first goal when he was clearly in a position to reach the ball first. The fact that Drissa had been skinned should have been irrelevant.

To be fair, Etherington would've given anyone a very hard job to do that afternoon, and he was a real pain for the whole match. Fabian made a better job of it once Diallo had been withdrawn though. Perhaps Drissa wasn't ready for such a big match, but somehow he looked lethargic and reluctant to get stuck in.

Etherington was creator again for the second, skinning Diallo once more before crossing. If someone could spike his tea before Wednesday they'd be doing us a big favour.

Our lifeline came just before half time. It was undoubtedly a free kick - we could see that even from the other end of the ground. West Ham players messed about with not retreating their wall and probably distracted themselves from the task at hand. A fortunate goal maybe, but a good strike from Miller and, as they say 'they all count'.

It gave us hope that was taken back into the dressing room and obviously spurred the team on for the second half. We looked far more composed and really grew into the match.

The Hammers' chances were not so large in number, but I still got a bad feeling each time they broke forward. They were sharp and gave themselves a lot of space in the first half, thankfully it seemed that Joe had pointed this out to the boys at half time.

The equaliser took just that bit too long in coming. We looked sure to score half way through the second half, and when the goal didn't come it seemed inevitable that we wouldn't score. Thankfully Shefki netted from some persistence from Bent, not to mention some dithering defending we've seen ourselves many times.

From that point a winner didn't seem to be out of the question, we were on top of the game until the final stages when the home side tried to press for an advantage to take up to Suffolk.

But that was how it stayed, and I think any of us would have taken the draw before the game. We'd all certainly have taken it after 13 minutes!

Perfectly poised then, but I think it's safe to say that we can expect goals on Wednesday night. West Ham will throw everything at us and unless we can stamp some authority on the game early on they are sure to press us all the way.

It's going to be a long night. COME ON YOU BLUES!

PS: Oh and NO, away goals do not count double this time.

Well at least it didn't go down to the final minute or something as painful as that. Wigan steamrollered over Reading's hopes of reaching the playoffs early enough in their final game in order for us to get used to the fact that our dire performance was irrelevant. We'd have to settle for the playoffs.

A couple of weeks ago people were ranting about how Currie's miss in the last minute at Leeds may have cost us automatic promotion. With Town only picking up a point against strugglers Brighton, even the 2 extra points wouldn't have been good enough to secure 2nd spot. Imagine if we had beaten Leeds, gone into Saturday's game in 2nd place and as favourites, only to fail and see Wigan overtake us again. That would have been unbearably worse.

So is my glass half full today? Well I'm desperately trying to find consolation for us throwing a 5 point lead, but deep down I know that 3rd place is a great achievement for a team in our delicate financial position.

Let's not forget that Wigan had the luxury of a few million to spend as this season got underway. Joe Royle pointed out way back then that this gave them a distinct advantage, and it seems he has been proved right. Fair play and all that though, we had the chance and blew it.

So the Brighton game. Not really worth mentioning is it? A great start with Shefki racing through and slotting the opener, and a chance for some brief euphoria for all Town fans watching on the box as Sky flashed up the "as it stands" tables, showing Town in second place.

What a short-lived moment though, as Brighton then equalised, swiftly followed by the news that Wigan had gone 1, then 2 nil up. Our game became irrelevant to the top end of the table, and although I doubt the players knew it was all for nought it seemed that only Brighton had anything to play for.

The home side were making the most of their chance to avoid the drop, and easily deserved a point from the game. I sincerely hope we don't have to visit the Withdean Stadium ever again though.

With Reading rolling over and dying so easily it left the door open for West Ham to bag a place against Town this Saturday. I have mixed feelings about that tie, on the one hand the Hammers have a psychological edge having beaten us in the league and of course knocking us out of the playoffs last time around. On the flip-side, they have been less than consistent during the season with some shocking results.

But then we know another team like that, don't we?

Everyone who goes to the game this weekend needs to leave the match with a sore throat. We'll need to create some noise as the home fans certainly will. Hopefully we can take the game back to Portman Road closely poised. I'm nervous already.