The morning after the night before...

So where was The Editor after Blues were relegated and Villa missed automatic Uefa qualification? When his optimistic assertions of success for both clubs were all wrong? When certain 'Blues fans' were ripping up St Andrews and the board was walking the plank?

Well, I'm still here and picking up the pieces.

It wasn't pleasant having to report on idiots on and off the pitch following Blues 4-1 victory over Blackburn but ultimate relegation. And when I say idiots on and off the pitch, David Sullivan and his remarks are NOT excluded...

But Blues can and will pick themselves up. Gold's comments were more measured, fans' websites carried the beginnings of commonsense on their predicament. We need to wait for tempers to settle, we need to wait until Blues are doing an Albion next season. But time will heal.

Villa, meanwhile, will throw themselves at Intertoto. I hope fans - especially younger, more naive ones - don't put all their hopes into this. Yes, great if they then qualify. But if they don't, fans should shrug it off and understand that the now longer season will cause more exhaustion and potential injury on the stretched claret and blue squad.

All the more reason for four star signings this summer.

Albion, meanwhile,have the world before them in the Premiership. They now need to plan, think and buy very carefully to consolidate themselves into a Premiership fixture.

So, for the paper, not the best results all round on the last day of the season. But still a busy time reporting the highs and lows for fans of all colours, and preparing now for a 2008/9 season that could see Blues win the Championship, Villa the Uefa and Albion mid-table.

..... or is this editor's wishful thinking kicking in again....