.....or whatever counts as `normal` for these pages.  Anyway, sorry for the delay caused by circumstances beyond my control and which cannot be named for legal reasons.

Now, where was I?  Ah yes, football and this weekend has seen yet another chapter in the extraordinary life of  Southampton FC.   In midweek, the Saints went away to Wolverhampton in the FA Cup and secured an impressive 2-0 win to propel them into the quarter-finals of the Cup, when they will play close neighbours Bournemouth some time in March.

That win seemed to be the spark for a return to a bit of form in the Premier League but, of course, when the Wolves came to St. Mary`s yesterday, the Saints somehow contrived to lose 2-1 in a game which they dominated for long periods but were overcome by a combination of bizarre decisions by the match officials (not for the first time this season) and a sagging of the collective shoulders as the inevitable prospect of yet another defeat seemed to drain the players of their energy and confidence.   Fair play to Wolves - not their fault that VAR is bonkers - but the result merely added to the obscure records that the Saints have `achieved` over the years.

This was the first time in their 135 years` history - and possibly a Premier League record as well - that six league games have been lost in succession.  A mid season slump indeed and especially puzzling as not too long ago the Saints were top of the Premier League (OK, only for 48 hours) with eyes on a European qualifying place.   That record is now added to other snippets alongside the two 9-0 defeats as the joint highest, along with Ipswich, in the Premier League; the quickest hat trick in the Premier League (Sadio Mane took 2 minutes, 56 seconds to knock three goals  in against Aston Villa in 2015 before Liverpool came calling for him);  the quickest Premier League goal scored (Shane Long netting in just over seven seconds against Watford, who had actually kicked off.)  There are others.

So it`s a bit random being a Saints fan - full of ups and downs, unpredictability, confusion and uncertainty but, you know what?   It`s all of those things that maintain the devotion to the cause, that even in the difficult times we once again find ourselves in, there are no cries to sack the manager; just a forlorn hope that somehow enough funds will be available for him to strengthen the squad (it`s far too thin on the ground right now) and a genuine hope that he stays despite it all.  What other clubs, boardrooms and fans would feel like that?

Fifteen games left to play this season - about ten points needed for safety.   Surely that should be possible, if only to avoid yet another record of being top of the league and relegated in the same season.

Enough about that.  In other news, my neighbour will be ecstatic that pride of place once again goes to Gillingham who had an impressive 3-2 victory away at Charlton, each of which clubs has had the fortune to have our street`s bearded wonder Scott Wagstaff among their ranks in seasons past;  however, Scott`s present club, Forest Green Rovers, were denied the chance to consolidate their promotion hopes when their game against Barrow was called off due to a frozen pitch.

So, normal service has been resumed - in more senses than one.