Terrace Talk: Braced for whatever horrors the week can bring

As a 1970s Mancunian boy, I lived in fear of Manchester City winning the league title. As a 1980s teenager, that fear faded as City declined. As a 1990s man, I grew to think it would never happen in my lifetime, so comical had MCFC become.

I can still recall that initially magical televisual afternoon, sitting in my little flat watching City desperately flailing about in a third division play-off final, hugging myself in delight and wondering whether existence could be any more perfect.

Well, they somehow got out of jail later that afternoon, and the Blue reprobates have been slowly rehabilitating themselves ever since, until we have reached the pretty pass that faces us Reds this week. City are carrying the swagbag, and there’s no point us calling the cops (though the Kop might yet play a part in easing proceedings.)