Aaaand we’re back!

Yesterday’s internet issue lasted well into today, but the announcement of a restoration of service came alongside a complete explanation of what had gone wrong, and a full apology.

Lol. Did it bollocks. Stuff just finally started working again at about 2 this afternoon, and we haven’t heard a peep from our ISP.

[sarcasm]Amazing.[/sarcasm]

Thankfully, and I am saying that with a very calm voice because this is now in the past, we could use the satellite TV to watch United’s playoff semi-final. And so we did.

And that was genuinely amazing.

A new record aggregate score for the Championship playoff semis, and a place at Wembley next Saturday.

They’ve been brilliant. They’ve blown Bristol City away.

Again. No chicken counting. But this does just feel better than our previous [checks notes] nine failed attempts in the playoff system.

Not counting chickens

Thank goodness I corrected that spelling error in the title.

It’s never ever over until the fat lady sings, but I can hear someone warming their voice up and all the chocolate has disappeared from the treats cupboard, so I think we’re at least some way towards getting somewhere.

A wonderful performance last night down in Bristol from the Red And White Wizzzaaaards, and we look forward to a cracking atmosphere at Beautiful Downtown Bramall Lane on Monday for the return leg.

As soon as I saw Vini Souza throwing himself about in the background of Andre Brooks’ goal celebration, I knew that someone was going to have the photograph of the night. And while this one isn’t quite at peak flight for either of our protagonists, it’s still really rather good, and surely one of the next few frames will surface in the near future.

I hate the playoffs, but yes, that offside call might just have been correct; yes, of course it was a red card; and yes, this result was probably more than we could have dreamt of before kick off last night.
I’m absolutely ready to have my now foolishly expectant heart broken again in the near future.
Rinse and repeat.

UTB.

Take the positives

A bit of a disappointing finish to United’s regular season, although third place (and 16 points clear of fourth) in a league that many thought we might drop straight through really isn’t too bad.

And still the lottery of the playoffs to come.

We live in hope.

So it might not have been the most amazing of seasons, but look… It could have been worse:

9 places, 34 points and 2 Steel City Derby defeats worse to be exact.

Ouch. I’m so glad we’re not them.

Tables

After this weekend, the two tables that matter the most to me are both looking very pleasant.

This Championship one:

Yep. That’s my team at the top.

And then the Fantasy Football one:

Yep. That’s my team at the top.

Lots of talk of goal difference etc. on the fantasy football group, but I’ve been doing some rudimentary calculations, and apparently it’s points that matter when calculating whoever is higher than whoever else.

And right now, I’ve got the most of those.

I’m not sure how much longer either of these situations will last, but I’m going to enjoy the moment while I can. As Konkan told us back in ’88:

Come along and share the good times while we can.

Because after last season in the Premier League, and my perennial underachieving in our long-standing Fantasy Football league, those two tables make a very welcome change from the norm.

So right now, it’s party time (until Saturday, at least).