Well, you can't say I didn't foresee it, but just don't ring me for this week's lottery numbers . . . not quite yet! Bruised the lads most certainly were after a full-on encounter with a typical “in your face and up and at 'em” Blades team, but what more than made up for it were the post-match antics and verbal nonsense from their manager, Neil Warnock.

Well, you can't say I didn't foresee it, but just don't ring me for this week's lottery numbers . . . not quite yet!

Bruised the lads most certainly were after a full-on encounter with a typical “in your face and up and at 'em” Blades team, but what more than made up for it were the post-match antics and verbal nonsense from their manager, Neil Warnock.

Well done, Mr Warnock, for proving that you do indeed know which number lies between one and three, if your two-fingered salute towards our bench on the full-time whistle was anything to go by, and well done yet again for winning your umpteenth successive sore loser manager of the month award.

Much as I yearn for the day to dawn when Warnock actually says something like “We were beaten by the better team on the day” or, as would perhaps have been appropriate after Saturday's game, “We should have got something from the game but didn't defend particularly well or take our chances”, just for the sheer comedy he provides I hope he doesn't change - plus it brings a smile to the face to imagine the wincing and cringing in certain northern domiciles, anticipating his latest tirade, at 5pm on most Saturday afternoons during the closing stages of almost every season.

Now, of course, that last comment could come back to bite me on the proverbial in a few week's time, but I take positives from both possibilities. If Sheffield United fail to win automatic promotion, regardless of the players' efforts, it won't have happened to a more unpopular person in football. And if they do go up, I could use losing a few inches on my bottom anyway!

And so, after two giant helpings of Yorkshire pudding in eight days, we ventured to Burnley for last night's televised game.

Just who will make the play-off lottery I'm not quite sure, although I think Leeds and Watford are looking certainties, along perhaps with that London club with the bald diving expert, high charges for outdated facilities, and flamboyant chairman. That maybe leaves the fourth spot up for grabs and makes our games with Wolves, Cardiff and Preston just a tad more tasty than they might otherwise been.

Finally, it seems we will be bidding a fond farewell to Simon Charlton after two seasons at the club.

“Charlie” served us very well at the heart of our defence at the beginning of our Premiership campaign, and has since proved a more than able and versatile player for us, whether in his usual left-back role or in midfield when required.

It is clear that he has been well-liked and appreciated by the City staff and I'm sure all supporters would want to wish him well, wherever his career takes him.