You know the saying, 'out with the old, in with the new' right? Well, can this be true for Championship Manager?
The long awaited debut of CM4 is mere weeks away (I did want to replace the word 'days' with 'week's' there, but my mind ruled my heart), so should you finally put away CM01/02 on the shelf and let it gather dust once and for all?

I would say a big fat no to that. Firstly, if you put your copy of CM away what else would you do that would give you so much enjoyment that your old faithful has? What would you replace it with - ciggies.. booze..or dread the thought, the gym? I would assume here, that none of us are that gifted at the 'beautiful game', or we would be playing the real thing and not a simulation of it.

Ok, lets take everybodies favourite - smoking. Since this costs an arm and a leg now, its one expensive hobby. If you want to look good when doing it, please, go stand next to the kids that hang out on street corners with their cheap bottle of cider and impress them, they'll surely look up to you with respect and courtesy..ahem. Another thing, why bother paying for smokes, when you can go and stand in a bar, and inhale it like theres no tomorrow? Seems a daft thing to do if you ask me, nevermind a waste of money. Oh, and there's also the small matter of your health. Now, CM is just as addictive (but not as dangereous depending on who you ask), and it should come with a health warning if you ask me. 'Warning - players of this game could go missing for months on end, only to return for pizza and chips.' So, there's CM one up already.

Now, onto the booze. The pub's a great place to talk players and tactics with your friends but there's also the cost issue here. If you drink in rounds thats one expensive tactic you're talking about. But, if you're 'billy no mates' then why bother going to the pub at all? Just sit at home in front of the telly with a few cans of Dr Pepper. Hey presto, you'll get a buzz for half the price, and you can think about players and tactics to your hearts content. You saddo you ;) So, beer in comparison with CM? Never, Champ lasts far longer, is more cost effective, and doesn't make those unusual, inevitable bowel movements that you just know are gonna hurt.

Ah, the gym. Work hard at it, visit at least three times a week and before you know it you'll have a body like Adonis. Bollocks. You'll be too busy working off that beer belly from the night before, and trying to figure out what all the machines do. I don't know about some people, but getting up early in the morning (or whatever time you wake up) and going someplace to cause yourself pain is definitely not my idea of fun. Either stay in bed, take an alka seltzer and get one more hours kip, or assume that all too regular CM posture that has your arse imprinted on your computer seat. Championship Manager wins hands down here.

So, there you have it, Championship Manger beats all other hobbies you might decide you want to punish yourself with. The time is drawing near fella's, boot up that computer and give CM 01-02 one final fling, go on, you know you want to.