Southampton legend Franny Benali on last day of football seasons

I could sit here and recollect my feelings and memories as a player going into the last day of the season.

I think it all boils down to the circumstances. I've been there going into the last day of the season, hanging on a thread and needing a result.

However, the circumstances that the current squad are in at the moment are very different.

I think there's an element of what we saw at St Mary's last week, knowing that whatever the result we're going to finish fourth regardless.

Leeds are likely to finish in the playoffs too - unless they beat Saints and Ipswich lose at home to all-but relegated Huddersfield. 

This is a game that we could be playing again in a short space of time, one in the league and potentially in a playoff final at Wembley. 

There would be an element of me that would want to do well and get a little bit of a psychological boost over them.

Southampton beat Leeds United 3-1 in the reverse fixture this season (Image: Stuart Martin)

At the same time, I think we saw with Russell Martin's last starting team that there is very much an eye on the playoffs. 

I can see both sides of the argument because if you put out a strong side and lose someone for the playoffs, that is the worst-case scenario.

There's never nothing to play for but the prize that's at stake in the playoffs for us, it just isn't worth the risk - I don't think.

I've got a feeling that's going to maybe be the case again to a degree, so it's not a standard end to a Championship campaign. 

Casting my mind back to my playing career, those final days of the league season would differ massively. 

Even if we were somewhere mid-table, there was always something to play for. You wanted to finish high and know you played in a team that finished the season well. 

You might even be looking ahead to the next season even already, but very much looking forward to a break mentally and physically. 

You saw at St Mary's the players had the opportunity of doing a lap of the pitch with their family or friends.

I know it felt a little bit flat last week given the last few weeks but also knowing that we're going to be playing in the playoffs as well.

But that was always a magical moment to get an opportunity to thank the fans and go around the pitch with your family and little ones if you had them.

I was asked to pick one final day that stood out and 1999 was suggested. That was amazing, we spent 34 weeks in the relegation zone and survived. 

Marian Pahars runs towards the Archers Road End

I guess that typified the belief that everyone here had. Players, staff, supporters, we were all on the same page.

Even though there were maybe worries and doubts that we weren't going to stay up, we kept that belief and positivity and did what we needed to do ultimately.

That was an incredible moment and I just always remember looking back afterwards, there was always such a focus, intensity and pressure on the position.

I think the word is relief. You're just so relieved that you did what you had to do, knowing the impact that it has on the city and the people in it.

Back in those days, you'd have fans in the stands with radios and things like that - 100 per cent. 

Sometimes it would be somebody shouting out from the touchline. Someone might just shout from yards away from you and tell you a scoreline.

There'd be a reaction around the crowd and you'd know that something's happened. That spread around the stadium pretty quickly, didn't it?

It was always fascinating and you always knew where you were and what you needed to do at any given time. 

It's a real shame that today's game won't mean as much for Southampton. Seeing Leicester celebrate their promotion has made me want that so much more. 

As a club and for the people who are involved with it and who support the team, I just want that so much.

The playoffs are the best way to do it if you can, but it will be a nightmare for the two weeks that we are in it!