Good day to you. Firstly, how good are Nick and Matt’s blogs at the moment? Top reads, check them out if you haven’t already.

I was devastated by Doncaster’s 5th round defeat at Old Trafford. A fun challenge though and I got more into it than most saves in recent memory. So, let’s have another short term challenge.

In 1995, Blackburn Rovers won the Premier League. If you are lucky enough to be too young to recall that, they basically bought Alan Shearer, Chris Sutton, Stuart Ripley, Tim Sherwood and Tim Flowers in the years preceding their glory, put Kenny Dalglish in charge and let the good times roll. Those players were some of the best young players in the country, at a time where not that many players were imported.

It was a short lived success. Dalglish left following their last day title win and moved “upstairs” and assistant Ray Harford took over. The 95/96 season wasn’t the best – the Champions League campaign fell at the group stage and several key players missed time through injury. Harford resigned after a poor start to 96/97, Dalglish also left his role and this resulted in Roy Hodgson being appointed. Alan Shearer had departed in the summer of 96 but no real replacement had been identified, with Sutton still around to lead the line.

In game, Blackburn start with £20m in the bank but a very average reputation and the need to find a striker to try and come close to filling Big Al’s boots. I’ve given myself two seasons to win the Premier League. Get me Mick Quinn’s number.

Right then, £20m in the bank and the squad is canny enough but how exactly do you go and win the Premier League?

Flowers’ injury is a month, we might have to rely on Fettis or Filan in the early games which include Chelsea and Liverpool, for goodness sake. Let’s assume we play my usual formation, Hendry/Brooms/Henchoz is not a bad set of centre halves but it lacks a star. Sutton can also play there. His stats don’t suggest he is actually any use to me as a forward so I’ll probably use him as a centre back or, ideally, someone will pay me big money for him (Chelsea?)

Basically I need a good striker and better everything else. Obviously I’ll sign the Micker, that man will and has ran through walls for me. But he’s not enough.

A look at the market and it’s full of strikers I have learned are basically traps. Andy Cole has the ideal stats. 20 off the ball, 19 pace, 19 shooting. Can’t hit a cows arse. Keith O’Neill, Dwight Yorke, Emile Heskey. Yes, I’ll sign Bakayoko.

Shifting out Gary Flitcroft is sensible, in the circumstances.

The main man arrives. He can be a bit hit or miss on the patch so let’s hope he’s more hit than Everton.

I’d like another forward option and the prospect of a reunion with my Benfica hero Kevin Gallen is enticing.

But Gallen lacks pace, whereas Freddy Leon has it in abundance. At more or less the same price, it’s got to be the Millionarios dollar man.

Another one shipped out. It’s not even about the money really.

There he is.

This is how we’ll start the season against Chelsea. I find using defensive midfielders in the wingback roles can work out, as it is effectively the “anchor” line. I’d rather have somebody else there but for now, it’ll do.

The perfect start! Chelsea are bang average thankfully, we do all our damage in a 10 minute spell. Just the way I like it.

The trip to Anfield is never pleasant but as staunch CM9798 players will know, if there is a time to play them it’s early on when Fowler is injured. It proves to be the case here as despite throwing away a two goal lead, Dominic Matteo decides to throw us a bone and Bakayoko pinches a famous (probably) win.

A load of clubs bid for Chris Sutton and it shows how poor we are reputationally that any of the clubs involved think they are a step up. Division 1 QPR offer Gallen in exchange along with £3.2m, which is frankly the deal of the century. Off you go, Chris. Welcome, Kevin.

Can never resist adding this man to the midfield.

Our good form continues with a comfortable win over Everton. A mighty start.

Easy come, easy go. Billy McKinlay the happiest man in the world.

Our easy start (!) continues with a trip to Highbury. It’s only Ray Parlour gives them the lead but Freddy the friendly Colombian earns us a point. We have a late winner ruled out which is a shame but a result I am happy with nevertheless.

Tottenham are top having won all of their games, unfortunately for them we are an unstoppable freight train from hell and they get battered 4-0.

Lancashire derby? No problem. We’ve got some good momentum.

Another unneeded player is shipped out.

Barnsley put up more of a fight than most as Dave Watson is always hard to beat but eventually Wilcox gives us some breathing space and Freddy puts the gloss on it.

Henchoz is out injured for a month so here’s Johhnnnyy Curtis for a bargain £1.3m.

St James’ Park is another huge test with Blackburn’s former manager Kenny Dalglish at the helm. Thankfully they play like their real life spell under the Scot and it’s a nervy but vital win.

That leave us top after 8 games and I couldn’t have asked for much more. Man Utd loiter just behind us by the odd few goals.

Freddy Leon though, some boy. I’ve never had him perform this well for me.

Can we do this in season 1? I remain doubtful as you have to be almost note perfect to beat Man Utd over the course of the season but we play them in two games time and I’m excited to find out if this can be done. Join me for more next week, won’t you?