Even apart from the gutting but seemingly inevitable 93rd-minute winner from Romelu Lukaku – does anyone else find they actually wait for him to score against us? – Saturday’s game against Everton at the Boleyn was an odd affair.

When an opponent’s yellow card is greeted like a goal and a song about ‘going on a European Tour’ is sung to the tune of ‘Yellow Submarine’ immediately after, you know you are through the looking-glass.

West Ham’s possible involvement in next season’s Europa League via the fair play competition has resulted in a surreal atmosphere at the Boleyn.

Fans who a few weeks ago never even knew it existed have been scanning the fair play table like the runners and riders form at the Grand National.

Of course, yellow and red cards count in the table but so many other factors are included it’s difficult to make sense of it all. I mean, with points given for ‘acceptable verbal support’ and ‘recognition of outstanding play by opponents’ who knows what was gleaned from Saturday’s game?

Even ignoring the scurrilous suggestion the real reason West Ham’s disciplinary record is so good is because our midfield players are too slow to foul any opponents, you can’t help but think the fortnightly rendition of ‘Bubbles’ goes more towards the judges marks than anything.

And I say ‘judges’ but is that what happens? Does a FIFA representative arrive at every game and mark how generous the crowd’s applause is as another late winner goes in?

I hate to be a killjoy here but if the FIFA man heard the chant aimed at Everton’s on-loan Spurs winger Aaron Lennon when he was substituted, the club may find they slip almos as far in the fair play league as in the ‘proper’ table.

Still, at least all this talk of Europe gives the fans hope as we limp toward season’s end.

With the 50th anniversary of the club’s greatest night – the European Cup Winner’s Cup victory on May 19th 1965 – to be celebrated this week, this is a good time to be to be thinking about foreign visitors under the floodlights at Upton Park again.

Whether or not the likelihood of European football as early as July is likely to be a good or a bad thing remains to be seen.

With Sam Allardyce admitting the injuries have taken their toll and with the squad ‘not being good enough’, it is hard not to think some substantial expenditure will be needed for what could be a very long season ahead.

And what of Allardyce himself? A short close season does not give the owners much leeway in deciding what to do about Sam’s contract negotiations.

If it is decided not to renew and let Sam walk, Davids Gold and Sullivan will need to act swiftly to replace him. Conversely, though, the lure of a European campaign may lure a manager who might otherwise see the demands of trying to drag what is essentially a mid-table team higher up the league as too much to ask to the club.

The last season at the Boleyn is going to be an emotional affair and what happens over the close season weeks – however short they may be – will be crucial in how the season will be remembered.

In our hearts, of course, we want it to be a season of attacking football ending with the flourish of a cup, but reality can be a harsh mistress and it could all too easily end in tears.

Nevertheless, to commemorate the 50th anniversary of that great night at Wembley, I’ll be having my own little celebration.

On Tuesday night, I’ll be watching the whole match ‘live’ on DVD and looking to celebrate wildly in the 70th and 72nd minutes of the game. At least, I will know there is not a late winner to spoil the enjoyment.

Feel free to join me, why don’t ya? You bring the beers this time though, eh?!