A semblance of order is threatening to break out amid the delightful mayhem that is the Championship.
Norwich and Watford, with their deep squads and the luxury of parachute payments at a time when the gates are closed and money is tight, appear strong and healthy at the top.
Middlesbrough boss Neil Warnock called it that way at Christmas. ‘They have more consistency because they have more choices when they lose players,’ said 72-year-old Warnock, veteran of eight promotions.
‘Look at the size of the squads they’ve got and the inconsistencies with the parachute payments, they’ve not really had to sell their best players.