As the Premier League unwinds on the sunbeds of Dubai with chilled glasses of pink fizz, the Championship staggers back to the bar, steadfast and defiant in pursuit of its usual frothy brew.
From the top where the glow of the Promised Land reflects upon Marco Silva's smooth and ample forehead at Fulham and Tony Mowbray attempts to redefine the Venky's regime at Blackburn with the power of his deep frown.
To the bottom where Wayne Rooney and his basket case Derby County flirt with oblivion but refuse to surrender, spreading panic through down-on-luck rivals locked in the scramble to survive.