A few weeks ago I don’t think anyone would have predicted Liverpool finishing third, or even fourth. I’m pleased for them but disappointed for Leicester, missing out on the last day for the second season running. You’re lifting the FA Cup one week and then missing out on the Champions League. It just shows you the ups and downs of football.

Leicester should still be happy with their season. Brendan Rodgers will strengthen the squad and should be able to keep them in the top six. I would have liked to see them finish in the top four, to avoid it being just teams from the ‘big six’ after they all signed up for the Super League. I don’t think we’ve seen the end of that. Real Madrid and Barcelona haven’t let it lie down yet.

With all the talk about fixture congestion, I can’t believe the new Europa Conference League – the qualifying competition for the Europa League – that Tottenham are now in through finishing seventh. Sometimes teams benefit by missing out on Europe. Not all Premier League clubs, even some of the bigger ones, have got the strength in depth. Not having those extra fixtures can really improve their league position.

File photo dated 11-05-2021 of Manchester Citys Ruben Dias. Issue date: Wednesday May 26, 2021. PA Photo. Man City chase elusive Euro title as Chelsea aim to crown revival under Tuchel. City are strong from back to front, with the arrival of Ruben Dias

File photo dated 11-05-2021 of Manchester City's Ruben Dias. Issue date: Wednesday May 26, 2021. PA Photo. Man City chase elusive Euro title as Chelsea aim to crown revival under Tuchel. City are strong from back to front, with the arrival of Ruben Dias

I’d like to see Man City win the Champions League final. I’d like it for Guardiola, for what he’s done for City and for English football. He’s up there with the all-time greats. I know a lot of fans will be more interested in this weekend’s play-off finals. In the Championship it’s Brentford v Swansea. Brentford haven’t been in the top flight since 1947. My first trip away with Carlisle was to Brentford when I was an apprentice. We didn’t have a boot man then so I carried the skips from the bus. The hairs stood up on the back of my neck, seeing the dressing room and walking down the tunnel to sit on the bench. It was a way of getting me used to being with the first team. Brentford had a good team and Griffin Park was an atmospheric ground, although of course they’ve just moved.

In League One it’s Blackpool v Lincoln. Lincoln have bounced back really well since they got back into the league. They haven’t been in the second tier since 1961.

It might be frustrating for Carlisle fans to see Lincoln on the verge of the Championship. But they’ve shown what can be done. They’ve shown that there’s always hope. There’s always next season to look forward to, whether the last one was good, bad or indifferent.

In League Two it’s Newport v Morecambe. Morecambe’s success shows what you can do in the lower leagues if you’ve got an honest squad pulling for you. Carlisle showed that from last autumn until they were derailed by Covid and postponements. I don’t want to lose Morecambe from Carlisle’s fixtures but in a way I’d like to see them go all the way.

And congratulations to Sutton, who’ll be playing Carlisle in League Two next season. It’s another London club in the league.

Financially, maybe the southern clubs are on a different level. I’d love to see a club like Hartlepool or Stockport come up through the National League play-offs.