WELCOME though Monday night’s victory and performance were, we still stand on the edge of the precipice this morning as we prepare for the second game of this ‘massive’ week (how many times have you heard that phrase used this season?).

Fail to progress against Lille tonight, and I can think of better places to go than Old Trafford to save your season.

I don’t like going to the Theatre of Screams at any time really, and the prospect of their humble fans rubbing our noses in it having ended our fragile hopes of a Champions League place is not one to look forward to.

But enough negativity for now – there’s been plenty of that recently and probably more to come before the season’s out, so let’s give credit where it’s due and enjoy the Portsmouth annihilation all over again.

True, the poor quality of the doomed south-coasters was a major factor in our sudden discovery that the opposition penalty area isn’t in fact mined or protected by razor wire, but the passing and movement of the side was far superior to anything we’ve seen for the past few months.

Many, of course, will put this down to the replacement of Lucas and Kuyt by Aquilani and Maxi, and the continued selection of predicta-Babel.

Although Rafa was undoubtedly thinking about saving their legs for tonight – and especially Sunday – it was a welcome statement of attacking intent and at last gave Aquilani a chance to show his potential.

Like many others, I’ve been baffled by Rafa’s explanations for the non-selection of the Italian, his main reason being that it would be difficult for him to come into a struggling side.