' KEEPING IT REAL - BREATH OF FRESH AIR '

When I read the article Annis put out this morning of Aaron Gunnarsson's interview with Sky Sports, I found the last answer he gave a breath of fresh air.

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When asked about the hopes for the season it was pleasing to read a sense of reality and not a case of I will say what people want to hear.

Gunnarsson answered the question of ' Where will you finish in the league this season, it looks a lot brighter now under Neil Warnock? '

" Our aim was obviously the play-offs, but now it is getting up the table again and just go from there. It has been a tough season, but it is brighter at the moment and confidence is coming back and that is the main thing."

Too many times players, managers and club officials will say the media friendly answer of ' we are looking towards the play offs and promotion ' etc but to hear that we are just trying to climb the table and go from there is the realistic answer and also plays down any hopes and expectations that others may have, for me it keeps it real.

He is obviously more realistic than some of the fans on here who live in their own world of fantasy. We had people saying we would finish top two, and then we had those who went completely over the top when we signed Lambert, and again when Warnock took over. Staying in the Championship has to be our priority for now, anything else will be a bonus given where we are at this moment.

He is obviously more realistic than some of the fans on here who live in their own world of fantasy. We had people saying we would finish top two, and then we had those who went completely over the top when we signed Lambert, and again when Warnock took over. Staying in the Championship has to be our priority for now, anything else will be a bonus given where we are at this moment.

I'm a self confessed fantasist and my aim is the play-offs and promotion via a play-off victory in May. Do I think it is really going to happen? Probably not when you judge against the majority of other seasons since 2003 but I still go into every game believing we will win, otherwise what's the point?

He is obviously more realistic than some of the fans on here who live in their own world of fantasy. We had people saying we would finish top two, and then we had those who went completely over the top when we signed Lambert, and again when Warnock took over. Staying in the Championship has to be our priority for now, anything else will be a bonus given where we are at this moment.

I'm a self confessed fantasist and my aim is the play-offs and promotion via a play-off victory in May. Do I think it is really going to happen? Probably not when you judge against the majority of other seasons since 2003 but I still go into every game believing we will win, otherwise what's the point?

I would love us to be an established Premier League side, but accept that this will not happen any time soon. However, it only seems like yesterday that I was taking my children who were junior bluebirds down to NP every other week to watch us play in the bottom division in front of 3 or 4000 fans, sometimes less. The Championship was a distant dream, and as long as I can watch entertaining football, I am happy enough with us surviving at our current level for this season at least. I think a club of our size should be capable of regular football in the second tier of the English League, and like you I dream of us playing regularly at the top. History suggests that this is unlikely, but I live in hope while still trying to be realistic about our prospects based on the players at the club at any particular time. I just don't believe that our current squad are anywhere near good enough to mount a serious challenge at this time, but who knows what the January transfer window will bring.

I'd rather the response he gave at least we know the players know theyre in a fight this season.

He is obviously more realistic than some of the fans on here who live in their own world of fantasy. We had people saying we would finish top two, and then we had those who went completely over the top when we signed Lambert, and again when Warnock took over. Staying in the Championship has to be our priority for now, anything else will be a bonus given where we are at this moment.

I'm a self confessed fantasist and my aim is the play-offs and promotion via a play-off victory in May. Do I think it is really going to happen? Probably not when you judge against the majority of other seasons since 2003 but I still go into every game believing we will win, otherwise what's the point?

I would love us to be an established Premier League side, but accept that this will not happen any time soon. However, it only seems like yesterday that I was taking my children who were junior bluebirds down to NP every other week to watch us play in the bottom division in front of 3 or 4000 fans, sometimes less. The Championship was a distant dream, and as long as I can watch entertaining football, I am happy enough with us surviving at our current level for this season at least. I think a club of our size should be capable of regular football in the second tier of the English League, and like you I dream of us playing regularly at the top. History suggests that this is unlikely, but I live in hope while still trying to be realistic about our prospects based on the players at the club at any particular time. I just don't believe that our current squad are anywhere near good enough to mount a serious challenge at this time, but who knows what the January transfer window will bring.

Actually would I agree that our 'natural' football position is Championship level considering our size, fan base and history. Also I love Championship football it is so competitive and more like British football which is better to watch than that boring continental stuff the JB's play.

But you can't help dreaming and wanting your team to go as high as possible. That's why sometimes fans like me get carried away by a signing or new manager. I admit my expectations sometimes become irrational but as far as I'm concerned that is all part of being a football fan. It is easy to be critical of such fans but it's because we care so much.

A pessimist is a person who will go on a journey looking for a dream but will most probably moan all the way.

An optimist will go on that same journey with hope and enjoy it more.

Even if the dream is never found/realised, at least the journey will be enjoyed more by the latter.

I know which one I am....