Welcome back! As the sands of time move us into 2021, celebrations are in order for one of this blog’s favourite characters. There’s also some actual football, as we move towards the business end of the season, so without further delay, let’s crack on.

We may as well get this out of the way early doors. If you saw our Twitter midweek you’ll know that Peter Beardsley turned 60. In celebration of this achievement, there’s a tribute piece here looking at his career and a special celebration game where I took my Milan side to Grimsby. Whilst I contemplate what my life has become, we’ll check in on Beardsley later.

Back to the serious nature of the 20/21 season and we have our first final of the season

Last season’s Premier League champions edge past surprise package Hull, who have become a very good side under Paul Warhurst. Warhurst is of course a legend of CM days past so it’s maybe no surprise that even in managerial form, he is great. Man Utd are the table toppers so it promises to be quite the final.

We could be on for a repeat in the FA Cup too

Chelsea will expect to see off First Division Sheff Utd, whilst Nick Barmby’s Boro have their work cut out against Man Utd. Scott Colcombe has done a wonderful job at Man Utd, despite nobody knowing who he is.

English clubs are going very well in Europe too, although Le Tissier’s Chelsea have fallen to David Unsworth’s Real Madrid.

The last 4 lineup is quite interesting. Newcastle are of course going for a third consecutive Champions League, this time under Damien Johnson, whilst Real Madrid have  fallen to Newcastle in each of the previous 2 seasons. Arsenal are now managed by Steve Haslam who has a pedigree of going far in tournaments…and then losing.

Fiorentina are a fine side, but seemingly not quite as good as my Milan side

You wouldn’t rule them out having a push at retaining their title, my form has faultered quite a lot over recent months and we’re hanging on to top spot. Although I have signed the famous Japhet N’Doram re-gen to help out (Manga Ayew from the Darlo days)

It says it all that my top 2 average ratings are my goalkeepers

So with just 8 games to go, we’re in pole position but we’ll see what we can do.

We’re still in the Coppa Italia too, which is nice

We’ve already taken out Roma, Fiorentina and Salernitana so Cagliari should be a walk in the park by contrast. It won’t be.

Back over in England and whilst it’s no surprise to see Man Utd top of the table, the rest of the top 5 is a little bit strange, certainly based on recent seasons. Is this a power shift in the Premier League hierarchy?

Champions Chelsea not even close to retaining though I supposei f they can win their games in hand it will look a bit more respectable. Meanwhile at the bottom:

It’s awful to see Darlington in this state, their new manager has had no effect. Sadly Steve Haslam hasn’t done much to help Arsenal either, despite their Champions League run, they are also in danger of the drop. Norwich are another of my former clubs so read into that what you will.

But we’ll finish as we started, with the great man now in his 60’s.

A goal every 5 games is pretty good, all things considered. His stats are on the steady decline again but, who knows why. Look at their form!

A 60th birthday and a promotion? Don’t bet against it. Join me next time as we find out exactly how well a 60 year old copes with playoff pressure…

Have you been following Scotland in World Cup 2002? If not check out their last 16 clash with Portugal here or the CM9798 book available on Amazon