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For one Bees fan at least, it’s the return of bread and butter League One action this weekend that is stoking his enthusiasm rather than more talk of FA Cup clashes with Chelsea. Is Larry being pragmatic or downright miserable… we’ll let you decide.

This time last week, many of us were literally wetting ourselves at the thought of ‘Super’ Chelsea coming to our hallowed turf for a 4th Round FA Cup tie. We’d earned the right to play them the hard way – but how were the boys in red-‘n’-white going to compete and compare with the existing holders of the most magic cup in the world, the now-ex-European Champions?

Well, now we know. On the day we were much better than them for half the game, just about held our own for the other half – a superb display by the Bees and a poor showing from the club reckoned to be third best in England.

Many Bees fans still seem to be on an immense high from that performance – but (and I suppose age and long experience has something to do with it) for me, it has turned out to be just another game. A very good game, I grant you –  but just another game.

My immediate reaction, and I believe I’ve already said it somewhere, is that after the euphoria – the elation, jubilation – of the match itself, I began to feel rather down later in the day because we had not won. I think that on the day, we were that good.

Now, I’m unaffected at the thought of the replay. I expect we’ll lose (probably by four or even five goals), and I’m indifferent, untouched, couldn’t care less about it.

The next three league games are far more important to me. I want nine points –  hope for seven –  expect six at least. But these games are what are now stoking my enthusiasm again.

The FA Cup, well, it was great while it lasted. Last Sunday was interesting, and the reaction of all my fellow Bees fans made it quite something of a day. Nowhere near as good as that never-to-be-forgotten play-off semi-final against Sheffield Wednesday a few years back – if you remember, we were well beaten with about 20 minutes to go when the emotion just lifted off and I defy anyone there not to have been moved. The hairs on the back of my neck (the few still remaining) still tingle at the thought.

But Chelsea and last Sunday. Phooey. Let’s now get on with reality.

As I say – it was just another game of football.

Larry Signy