For me, relegation feels like the death by a thousand cuts. You're strapped down on a table and , every so often, (about a week) someone comes in and just stabs you a bit. Occasionally, he comes in and just looks at you and turns round and walks away and you allow yourself to think he's not coming back. But really you know he is. In the end, I guess you just want him to get it all over with.
Cheery, I know.

You do get over it though. Like anything in life what is happening at the time becomes the norm and reality. You get relegated and feel bad for a while but when the new season comes around there is a new challenge to look forward to. It ain't the end of the world!

It depends on the circumstances.

The one 'good' thing about our current run of form is that if it continues, we'll be down by April.

This has never been the Palace way of course and we always manage to drag it to the last day which is where it is most crushing. But there is a first time for everything.

Say we are 9 points from safety at the end of March rock bottom, I don't think I'll be that upset. Think I'll stop going to as many matches for the remainder of the season though.

That's not to say I'm a glory hunter or will not be renewing for the Championship. I'll happily go to all games next season but at the moment I go to Palace to set me up for a good weekend.

The point is having some fun at the football and then going out in the evening but recently I've been going, getting mad at the team and not feeling like a night out after. So if I knew we were down I'd probably spare myself the anger and grief.

I must admit I'm not even that arsed if we go down. I think it hurts more when you go down after one season, because the first couple of years in the Prem are great. But now, I feel less connected to the club than I ever have done and seeing players on unreal money not doing their jobs isn't particularly great. We've sold a bit of our soul to the Prem and a season in the Championship might actually bring us together, it feels like a very divided club at the moment. I'll still go to loads of games regardless, and still enjoy seeing my pals and going to the game with my old man, still do all the things that I really love about going to Palace... It's about more than results and who you're playing.

The problem with socialism is that you eventually run out of other people's money.

Its a bit like being a Watford fan at the playoff finals, getting on the train to go home, and finding its full of Palace fans celebrating.

Its really bad when its 'last day' relegation, when you have a chance. When you're 'down' long before the last weeks, then its somewhat easier.

"One Nation Under God, has turned into One Nation Under the Influence of One Drug"
[Link]

I was also at all three of those games. It is terrible on the day, but time is a great healer so when the new season starts we all have our false sense of optimism again! It does get easier to take as you get older. It is only football after all.

Edited by Bexley Eagle (15 Feb 2017 1.34pm)