Leicester City manager Nigel Pearson likes to adopt a level-headed approach, writes Rob Tanner. When City are flying and expectations are rising, he does his best to keep feet on the floor by adopting a downbeat approach in public.
Likewise, when City are struggling and the doomsayers are finding their voice, he comes out upbeat and positive in a bid to protect his players from negativity.
But, while Pearson may like to keep everything on an even keel, his season has been anything but.
In fact, it has been the proverbial rollercoaster ride.
Installed as pre-season favourites for promotion, expectations were at an all-time high.
Inevitably, after City started indifferently, it didn't take long for the speculation over his position to begin.
After the defeat at Wolves in mid-September the rumours of talks having taken place between City and Harry Redknapp surfaced and persisted, to the extent that Pearson's representative, former Republic of Ireland international Mickey Walsh, went on Talksport and called for the club to issue a statement to deny the rumours.
A statement was duly released, with no mention of Redknapp, but by this time City had started to find their feet.
After three wins on the bounce, a draw at Birmingham on October 20 saw City take top spot and they remained there after a home victory over Brighton. City were in the ascendency.
But then City suffered back-to-back defeats to Crystal Palace and Watford, which saw them slip out of the automatic promotion spots, and they dropped to fifth after a goalless draw at Bolton .
However, back they came with a bang as a 6-0 thumping of Ipswich raised expectations again, followed in the next home game with a 4-1 demolition of Derby.
But overall City were struggling to find consistency and at the turn of the year they were still in fifth spot and struggling to make an impact on the top two.
Pearson moved quickly in the transfer market to snap up Chris Wood and it appeared the big New Zealander was the missing link. He scored twice on his debut as Huddersfield were hit for six.
City finished January back in the automatic promotion places and well placed. They were on the up again, but then they were derailed at Peterborough.
City's season started to dip again, and the speculation about Pearson began to increase.
Two late goals condemned City to defeat and a weakened side also crashed out of the FA Cup three days later. The rot had set in.
One win in 14 games in all competitions put their play-off place in jeopardy and the questions about Pearson's future began to intensify.
A win over Bolton and a draw at Crystal Palace gave City hope, but a home defeat to Watford left even Pearson admitting a miracle was required.
That miracle happened at Nottingham Forest, then a home win in the first leg of the semi-final against Watford had City dreaming of Wembley. Euphoria.
The final dip on the rollercoaster was the most shocking as City's season ended in unbelievable scenes at Vicarage Road. They were one penalty kick from Wembley and a shot at the Premier League, only to have it snatched away from them within 20 mad seconds.
A campaign that started with so much hope had ended with so much heartache.
The speculation about Pearson's position intensified in the national press as a variety of managers were said to be lined up to take over.
But City and Pearson must lift themselves because in just over two months, they have to get back on that rollercoaster for another ride. Hold on!
