By Mike McKinley So we managed to sneak the double over our lovable East End neighbours, a little thing we can take delight in even if they place considerably more store in the rivalry than we do. In fact, that makes it all the more enjoyable doesn t it? It continues our

So we managed to sneak the double over our lovable East End neighbours, a little thing we can take delight in even if they place considerably more store in the rivalry than we do.

In fact, that makes it all the more enjoyable doesn't it? It continues our great form in London derbies, something which we haven't always been able to take for granted, and which makes for an easier life for those of us used to getting stick from friends and colleagues.

To have reached absolute safety with so many games in hand really does underline what a fine job has been done, and our home form in particular has become rock-solid.

Our improvement in the Jol years was built primarily on Fortress WHL, and after so many odd defeats last season and in the infamous Ramos start to this year, we are seemingly stronger than ever at home.

We just don't ship goals now, which is another novelty that we could get used to. Hopefully, the methods that have managed to ease Ledley King through a regular run of games will become the norm, because this group are now starting to look capable of spending plenty of time at the right end of the table.

But before thinking too much about next season, there's still work to do this campaign. Apart from claiming our unlikely European spot, I would also dearly love us to play a part in relegating Newcastle.

With years of bitterness stretching back to some heavy defeats in the 1990s, robbery in the 1999 FA Cup semi-final, and Stephen Carr's departure to "a big club", I'm genuinely hoping to see them go down.

Well, I never claimed not to be a sad little man.

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