Here we are again then, probably for the final time we arrive back in Portugal to see how the Brits Abroad are getting on in their quest to hold every title possible. Last week, we retained the European Super Cup and the World Club Cup. If we can retain the league, the cup, the Champions League and then win Euro 2004, well that’s the lot. There’ll be a statue of me outside Champman Studios I’m sure. Christmas preparation is in full swing in these towers. My son is obsessed with advent chocolates and my 11 month old is teething so enjoys eating her hand and screaming. We’ve all been there. As for me, I have no idea what’s wrong with me but my temperature is up and down and my throat is like razorblades. Merry Winter to you all, let’s football.

Hello and good welcome to you. The Brits Abroad are part way through season 7, just the early knockings really of what we hope will be a long and successful campaign, culminating with Euro 2004 if I can guide England through the final few qualifying games. We’re at the time of year in real life where there’s stuff on every night, or nearly every night, and it occurred to me on Wednesday evening that if I don’t get this played by Thursday night there would be no blog. Sacre bleu. To the football then, where the domestic table loos very nice and we’ve got an opportunity to make the Champions League group look similar…

Greetings, bonjour and so on. We’re back in Portugal, who utilise neither of those greetings but you join us at an exciting time nevertheless. The aim is to retain everything, add the Portuguese cup to the list and get England well on their way to Euro 2004. It is at this point that I realise I have not paced this season’s bloggings very well. Strap yourselves in, there are many games.