Hello readers,

I'm still gutted about not making it through to the playoff final I have to be honest, but I think after the first leg it was always going to be hard.

I could see them nicking a goal in the second leg but it seemed like a dead game by all accounts. No one was really doing anything or trying anything, that's the way West Brom would have wanted, and after the long season it's hard to raise the game.

We had our chance to do it at home, we raised the game but we just couldn't hold the lead, and going to the Hawthorns behind was always going to be difficult.

There's always next year and I think we'll be in contention again so we can't get too down on this result, we just have to come back stronger next year. Looking ahead to the final I have to say I'm backing Derby to go up because I'm good mates with Giles Barnes and I'd love to see him playing in the Premier League next season.

We both missed out on the UEFA European U19 Championship because of our involvement with the playoffs, and I was gutted about it because I've really enjoyed playing for England this season. I was hoping we could end the season on a high and qualify for the finals but it wasn't to be. I went to watch the games and I felt bad for the lads because it was just bad timing that prevented us from doing well.

There were a few injuries and a few players, like myself and Mark Davies at Wolves, who were still involved with their clubs so it wasn't really the same squad for the qualifiers that played the games through the season. I think if we had all our players available we could have gone on to the finals, but it wasn't to be. Nothing really ran for us and I think that so many of the players were coming together for the first time and it was hard to get a rythym immediately.

I'll now be moving up in the age groups for next season and I've really got to look ahead to the Under-21s as my aim now. This summer they have made it to the European Championship in Holland and I'll be watching those games with interest. I also get the chance to have a short holiday which is good for me, to be able to get away and relax is really important so that I can recharge the batteries for next season.

I'm going to be watching the 'B' game at Burnley on Friday night as well, I'm really looking forward to hopefully seeing Joleon Lescott in an England shirt. He came through at Wolves and I think we're quite similar in the positions we play and our style, he was a great help to me when he was here and I only hope he does well.

He's a pure defender with pace and power, and the Academy Director Chris Evans always said about Jol that he got given the natural ability and he excelled because he worked so hard on the other areas of his game. Since he came to the club he worked on his technique and striking of the ball, he is comfortable on the left now simply because of the work he put in to improve his footwork.

He missed the entire season that Wolves were in the Premier League three years ago, so to come back from that disappointment shows the determination he has. He's done fantastically well for Everton, he is a fantastic lad and he's doing exactly what I want to be doing, I just hope I can learn from him.

Wolves have been taken over as well which is another interesting part of the last few days, I'm just hoping it bodes well for the future of the club. I think he was close to taking over Liverpool and if you look at the American owners they now have I think that's a shining example of how a takeover can work positively. They talk about the Kop and the traditions of the club, and that's someone coming from America which is a surprise - they may call it soccer but they know what they're talking about it. If that's the case for Wolves then I'm sure it will be a good move.

I think Sir Jack wanted to take the running of the team off his shoulders as he gets older, and he has been great for the club. Hopefully the new people are happy to see the club grow in a similar fashion to the way it has done in recent seasons. Obviously I've got a vested interest that young players continue to get their chance, but I'll relish the challenge if we expand our squad and hopefully it can benefit the club.

Speak to you soon,

Mark