Fletch's heartbreak

Like the rest of his team-mates, Carl Fletcher was left shattered by our heart-breaking FA Cup final defeat against Liverpool, but insisted that the players will be stronger for the experience.

The Welsh midfielder was in tears after our penalty-shoot-out loss against the Reds, but insisted there were many positives to take from the experience.

"What doesn't break you, makes you stronger," said Fletch. "We have got a young squad and this is a massive learning curve.

"Everyone is massively disappointed and will be for the next couple of weeks. But once that has gone away everyone can look back on a fantastic performance.

"It is just so disappointing to be so close but not get there. People say the worst way to lose is on penalties. To lose an equaliser in the last minute and then lose on penalties is a massive blow for us.

"Gerrard is a world-class player and that is what world-class players do - they get their teams out of trouble. Maybe he was the difference.

"Everyone tipped us for relegation but to get into Europe, to get into the cup final and be seconds away from winning it - it has been a massive season for us. The manager was proud of all the lads.