Russell Slade insists he can look himself in the mirror and reflect on a job well done even if Cardiff City miss out on the play-offs today.
The Bluebirds boss admits their chances of snatching a top six slot from Sheffield Wednesday are slim and they have to win at Hillsborough on Saturday to keep their hopes alive.
Slade has kept City in the hunt despite being warned he was three games from the sack earlier in the season, fans calling for his head, a transfer ban and being forced to sell players to cut costs.
But Slade, 55, said: “I can look in the mirror and ask the question ‘Have i done my best? Have I done everything possible? Have I worked hard enough with the situation we’ve been in?
“All I can be is be honest and I can look in the mirror and know I’ve done my best. That might not be good enough for some people.
“As a manager you’re probably trying to answer those questions most months of the season.
“I think there’s been a change in the response from our fans, there’s been more togetherness on and off the pitch which I think has been a real positive.
“It’s given us a momentum in the second-half of the season because it is a long journey, it is a marathon, and you don’t need negativity.
“My concern was always it affecting the players. But it has never been a straight road with transfer embargoes and things like that.”
Slade’s side are four points behind the sixth-placed Owls and know they have to beat Wednesday to keep alive their play-offs dream until the last day of the campaign.
But they will still have to defeat Birmingham at home – where they have lost just twice all season – and still hope Wednesday do not win at Wolves to snatch the final spot.
He added: “It is a huge game for both clubs but we still have an opportunity.
“Some will see it as a small one, as a slim opportunity, but whatever, it’s still an opportunity and one we’re looking forward to.
“I know it’s a challenge but we know what we have to do and I’m sure with a little bit of fortune – because you do need it in these games – hopefully we can get ourselves over the line.
“You wouldn’t be telling the truth if you didn’t get nervous before any game but it’s only to remind you there’s something worth fighting for.
“And it’s these sort of games you want to be part of, what it’s all about. For the vast majority of teams in this league, it’s over, they are rebuilding for next season.
“All the teams below us in the table would willingly swap places with us right now.”
Slade’s contract runs out in the summer but signs are that owner Vincent Tan will give him another season as reward for keeping City competitive while slashing the wage bill by £12million.
But making the play-offs and possibly even taking the back-door route back to the Premier League just two seasons after they were relegated would boost his chances.
He added: “This has not been the week to talk about contracts.
“But any success going forward is only going to help, for sure. But we will have clarity before long on what’s happening, probably at the end of the season.”
City’s hopes though have been hit with defender Fabio, key midfielder Joe Ralls and striker Lex Immers all ruled out of the crunch clash through injury.
Centre-back Bruno Manga is also a doubt having only just recovered from malaria but the Gabon international will make the trip