Football FanCast columnist Alex Dimond reflects on his beloved Crystal Palace's playoff defeat.

Football - why do we love it when it can be so cruel? The torture and pain of reality rarely lives up to the hope and excitement of expectations. I really believed that Crystal Palace had a great chance of winning promotion through the playoffs this season, regardless of media talk of us being favourites and having the best form, so the demise of my dream was painful. It is hard even to write about it, but like therapy, it will only help with the recovery.

Football FanCast columnist Alex Dimond reflects on Crystal Palace 2-1 home defeat on Saturday and is hopeful they won't get stage fright come Tuesday night.

You know, when I was younger, I somehow managed to get the lead role in my school's production of Roald Dahl's Fantastic Mr Fox. Now, I am not the most naturally talented actor (well, maybe I am -but I don't want that to get in the way of a good analogy), but I practiced and practiced and by the time the show came round I was on top from - confident of a great performance. However, come the first night, everything fell apart - I mislaid props, forget lines and even fell off the stage at one point. Hopes had been so high, but by the time of the final curtain everything seemed to have fallen apart. You may wonder where this anecdote is going? Well, Crystal Palace did a similar thing Saturday.

Football FanCast columnist Alex Dimond looks ahead to his beloved Crystal Palace' semi-final clash against Bristol City and warned his fellow Eagles not to get complacent, as there is no such thing as a favourite when it comes to the Championship playoffs.

I can't imagine there are many events more dramatic than the last day of a Championship season. By my count on Sunday there were only two matches in which nothing was riding on the outcome - and more than a few that decided both promotion hopes and relegation fears. Throughout the whole afternoon, it seemed any goal in one the games involving Stoke, Ipswich, Wolves, Watford and Southampton would have completely changed the face of the league table - at both ends. They say you can't beat the drama of sport - Sunday was a perfect example why.

Football FanCast columnist Alex Dimond is delighted that Julian Speroni has signed a new contract and feels the Argentinean stopper has played a huge part in Crystal Palace's rise in the Championship.

So, last time I wrote on this website I questioned whether it would really be a good thing for Crystal Palace to get promoted this season. Looking at the massive potential of our youngsters, I wondered if a season amongst the big boys might hinder their development more than it would help them. All I can say is what a difference a week makes...