WHICH HIT YOU WORST?

Listening to Radio 5 Live's coverage of the final-day Premier League relegation scrap made me think of our two relegations in recent seasons. Over on Saints Web a thread was posted asking people which one was the most painful and I thought it's a question probably worth asking on here.
So, which was the more painful? 2005 or 2009? Or even, if you remember it, the relegation under McMenemy back in 1974?

For me, it was 2005, purely for the fact that it was all so unnecessary: the late capitulations when we should have taken all three points, the walking out of Strachan and the appointment of Sturrock only for Sturrock to be fired, the appointment of Steve Wigley and him being kept on in the job when he was plainly not up to it, getting stuffed 5-2 by Watford in a cup game, the sheer uselessness of Harry Redkrapp and his seeming disinterest in keeping us up (probably not helped by little backing from Lowe), the rabbits-in-headlights impression by the players at Fratton Park - for me, as I guess for most Saints fans, apart from the relegation itself, the Skate shambles was the absolute low(e) point of that season - the thumbs up of Redkrapp to then skate owner Mandaric (wtf what that about? I'd be interested in 'Arry's explanation of that one)...it was a hugely disappointing season ending in disaster.

2009 didn't seem quite as bad as I think the writing was on the wall before a ball had even been kicked. Boardroom trouble, the removal then return of Lowe, fighting between fans and the demonstrations were downright unpleasant but, as the team had lost its best players and had to resort to kids who were way out of their depth and with two clueless Dutch clowns to manage them, the outcome was inevitable, especially when the club went into administration. At least in 2005 we had a chance of getting out of trouble on the final day, but in 2009 we were looking really bad for a long time and, strange as that may sound, it seemed to soften the blow. At least for me, you may disagree.
It didn't seem like it at the time but it - and admin - was a blessing in disguise of sorts as at least it enabled the club to start again, with new owners and a brighter future.

All 3 were awful, I think I was too drunk each of those times to give a balanced decision!!

Thanks to whoever put the poll up. I didn't include 1974 in my original post as it was before my (Saints supporting) time, so I didn't think of it.

Think 2005 for me, have always hated redknap for coming to us, he should never have come and think the most overrated manager around. In 2009 there were some positives, knew there had to be a better future and that Lowe would be gone for once and all.

This is soooo hard!

Easy for me this time.