Flamini’s arrival has helped stabilise defence

As details of the draw for the next round were announced on the radio during extra-time at West Brom in midweek, and the terrace tom-toms transmitted the news of the prize home draw against Chelsea that was awaiting the victors, it was the thought of the ensuing familial flashpoint that immediately weighed most heavy on my mind and a clash with my Mum’s 80th birthday bash.

In truth, when extra-time had elapsed and we discovered that the spot-kicks were taking place at the wrong end of the pitch, I really didn’t fancy our chances.

Still if we’d bottled it, the bitter disappointment of a miserable drive back from the Black Country, would’ve been tempered by the knowledge of having dodged this potentially nuclear bullet.