In our last season in the championship I didn't have a season ticket but went to every away game and my over-riding memory of the season is the roar of the home fans as we conceeded time and time again. From pretty early in the season it was obvious we were going to struggle and by about half way through I think we were resigned to losing most games. Therefore when we were eventually relegated it didn't really come as a shock. In the Premier League however we had plenty of chances to seal our survival.
It's the hope that kills you, as they say.