On occasion, every football reporter worth his salt goes to sleep knowing that what he has written will upset someone, somewhere.
It's an unfortunate spin-off of a job we all love.
However, in early October 2009, I was having no such problems. I had written a glowing piece about Nottingham Forest manager Billy Davies.
It was earned. He had done a good job. We had a dispute over his transfer spending following a match in which Forest had defeated Scunthorpe United.
On the dotted line: Billy Davies signs his new contract with Nottingham Forest chairman Fawaz Al-Hasawi 'You're a ****': New Nottingham Forest manager Billy Davies (pictured) is not one of The Midlander's bigger fansBut it was nothing more than a minor skirmish. Or so I thought.
Ahead of a press call at Aston Villa's Bodymoor Heath training ground one day later, my mobile buzzed.
It was a Nottingham Forest switchboard number. I answered.
'Is that you Neil?' said a gruff Scottish voice, 'I hope so - because you're a ****.'
Welcome to the mad world of William McIntosh Davies.
He proceeded to tear me off a strip for hinting that there was a discrepancy between what he thought he had spent in the transfer market and what I thought he had.
Walked out: Alex McLeish (pictured) left Nottingham Forest just 40 days after taking chargeNever mind the 600-odd words of praise.
'Listen, I'm putting the phone down now, because I'm waiting for a Premier League manager,' I stammered, just about gathering my composure before Martin O'Neill finally graced us with his presence.
But, if you want an insight into Davies, that's it. The saying is 'as mad as a box of frogs.' Doesn't do Davies justice. A lorryload of frogs might be closer to the mark.
And I still can't work him out.
I first came across him after a Saturday match at Leicester City in which Preston North End were punching above their weight.
This little figure marching across the pitch at the Walkers Stadium (as was) at the final whistle, fist raised in salute at the travelling support from Lancashire.
Turmoil? Despite off the field problems, Forest are only six points off the playoffs'Aye, aye, he fancies himself a bit,' I thought.
More from Neil Moxley... Lambert's Villa teaching only just survived the first term, but when did things get so bad at this once great club? 15/05/13 Suarez be warned, a Birmingham striker almost lost his arm after being bitten during a match 25/04/13 With all the turmoil in England's heartland, it's no surprise West Brom continue to fly under the radar 05/04/13 The Midlander: Morgan's meeting will have appeased the Wolves fans, but I can't see a way they avoid relegation from the Championship 28/02/13 Venky's II: With McLeish gone, Forest's farcical owners are rivalling Rovers for managerial madness... here's the inside story on what's gone wrong 05/02/13 Coventry to roll back the years by wearing 1987 FA Cup final kit in third round tie at Spurs 03/01/13 All I want for Christmas is...? The Midlander goes down the chimneys of eight clubs to spread some Christmas cheer 13/12/12 The Midlander: Darren's situation has Villa Bent out of shape 07/12/12 VIEW FULL ARCHIVEBut it wasn't until he pitched up at Derby County that he really began to come into his own.
He was a little firecracker, setting off little incendiary devices here, there and everywhere as the Rams, inspired by Giles Barnes and Steve Howard, raced into the play-offs.
It was no fluke. The man is a good coach.
He is a football man. He doesn't drink but carries a spare set of balls and cones in the back of his car if the occasion arises to put on a coaching session.
He had an editing suite built at his home - I think it's near Manchester - to hand out video clips that he wanted his players to work upon.
But there was another disagreement between us both. This time, I accused him of ducking his media duties in print after a televised game - again at Leicester.
Cue another ruck.
He grabbed Derby County and took it, kicking and screaming out of the Championship following a play-off final triumph over West Brom.
And then announced he was thinking of quitting if they didn't back him with sufficient funds to make a difference. On the day they had earned promotion. The timing stank.
Bad timing: After winning promotion to the Premier League, Davies announced he would quit Derby if they didn't back him with sufficient fundsOf course, it all ended in tears six months later when the 'worst team in (Premier League) history' notched just one victory and went down with Paul Jewell unable to arrest the slide.
He pitched up at Nottingham Forest - and picked another disagreement with yours truly during the press conference to announce his arrival.
This time over the location of his family home which I had suggested was near Blackburn when, in fact, it was (as I said earlier) closer to Manchester. (Or was it the other way around?)
Finally the coup de grace.
On the eve of the play-off semi-final against Swansea City in 2011, Davies instructed every reporter that wanted to attend his pre-match press conference that they had to reach an agreement with his solicitor that they wouldn't ask about transfer funds.
Jim Price, his brief, issued a statement saying: 'Billy Davies will not comment regarding other football clubs nor talk about windows nor money spent at the end of the season.'
The worst: Davies' Derby were officially the worst Premier League team of all timeIt remains a one-off. I've never encountered anything like it, before or since.
What happened? He was quizzed about nothing else. Nice one, Billy. But at the end of it all - quite barking though he is - I'll say one thing.
I've never heard one of his players moan about his coaching. And, tough though it may be at times, he has always produced results in the Championship. He did a really good job at Forest.
Of course, he left the City Ground shortly after that defeat by a very good Swansea City side.
Forest's decision-makers were simply tired of his management by confrontation style and terminated his employment. That was the real reason he left.
Christmas gift: Sean O'Driscoll (pictured) was sacked on Boxing Day after a 4-2 win against LeedsOnly now he's back.
I just hope the Al-Hasawi family know what they are letting themselves in for. This could be a marriage made in heaven or hell. I suspect we will find out quickly either way.
As for our relationship, it's up to him. Life's too short. I actually respect him as a football manager.
Let's face it - anything else comes with the territory. For him, I suspect it's like the fable of the frog and the scorpion.
It's just in his nature. I can't blame him for that. Seriously...welcome back Billy...you've been missed.
By some of us at least.
More... Davies back as Nottingham Forest boss to replace McLeish Forest in turmoil with owners scrambling for credibility after McLeish walks out
