Terrace Talk: False dawn or a vision of the future?

"Blimey. We almost beat the European champions in a game 90% of us had presumed would be heavily lost. And so now, please hold me back, lads. The temptation is almost overwhelming. I can see the well-thumbed columnar template on the figurative bookshelf, calling me, teasing me. Its title says it all: 'IS THIS THE TURNING POINT?!?'"

Lord knows how many of those I have written in these long dark years since Fergie left us. It's always the same shtick; an unexpectedly good result in a crucial game against hated rivals potentially promises to bring an end to months of slumpery. Everyone gets giddy, has two bottles too many and, before you know it, we're thinking about future title challenges. Then fast forward a week, and you're back to square one after losing to Norwich. Ahem.