BEING a big Liverpool fan I've watched Everton flirt with relegation and I've always laughed at my mates. When they stayed up on goal difference on the last day of the season I remember thinking that if I ever had to go through anything like that then I wouldn't be rejoicing.

There would be a feeling of relief, but at the same time, I would be wondering why we'd got there in the first place and making sure it never happened again. That's the challenge for John, myself and Eric.

Premiership managers have to go through that every year and they have millions of pounds at stake. I take my hat off to them because the pressure is unbelievable.

I was trying to play it down to be honest. Without sounding cocky, I always thought we'd stay up. I was really nervous, but I tried not to let it show.

Even when we went 2-1 down against Macclesfield I knew we were a better team than them, but I couldn't get to half-time quick enough. Proccy (Andy Procter) scoring just before half-time was obviously a God-send, but I knew then that we'd go on and beat them.

It was a strange feeling. I had the self-belief, but at the same time, that's not enough because it's the players who have to go out there and do it for you.

People could turn round and say Accrington is a small club in the big league and that to stay in the league has been a marvellous achievement, but I wouldn't say that.

I'd hate to go through that every year. We've had about four seasons in one this year, with injuries and everything else that's happened.

But I'd like to think we can learn the lessons and push for mid-table or the play-offs next year. That's definitely in our capabilities.

But it will take a lot of hard work, especially when you've got 23 or 24 managers in the league thinking the same and 70 per cent of them have better finances than Accrington.

These things don't just happen, we've all got a lot of work to do between now and the start of next season.