New year dreaming fills the dog-days of faltering festivities

In the still waters (no floods pun intended) between Christmas and New Year we reflect on the old and envisage the new.

Between bloating and hangovers the dog days of festive excess become hard work and the need for more than indulgence starts to well up.

In other words we can get a bit over-thoughtful.

Day to day work and survival temporarily suspended we start to look with a more philosophical eye to the future and our place in it.

And also that of our football teams.

So what might 2016 have in store for us?

Cue sit-com style wavy-screen flash-forward to this time next year.

Rotherham are the surprise package of the Championship with Neil Redfearn winning manager of the month twice since the start of the season – the second time after his team’s 2-0 win at relegated Chelsea.

Sheffield Wednesday are the new Leicester.

Or at least they were.

Flying high in September and October with wins at Anfield and Bournemouth the Owls have come down to earth with a bump in the last few weeks, even losing to lowly Manchester United.

Of course the fans still believe it’s ‘their year’.

Sheffield United are mid-table in the Championship after beating their play-offs jinx with a 3-1 win over Wigan at Wembley to get some revenge for relegation in 2007.

Manager Nigel Adkins is looking to boost his squad in the January window and has been told ‘there is money to spend’.

Blades fans prepare for relegation, just in case.

Barnsley and Chesterfield get ready for a New Year six-pointer against each other in League One.

Reds fans prepare a warm and loving reception for the return of their old boss Danny Wilson.

Chesterfield fans prepare for relegation, just in case.

Donny Rovers are looking to consolidate their promotion drive with the club’s continuing climb under Darren Ferguson.

Fans not too worried - as long as they don’t lose to Scunthorpe again…

In the bigger picture Jose Mourinho’s return to Chelsea is going well after they were relegated last season.

Jose is convinced that Ronaldo, Messi and Suarez will hit form sooner or later for the Blues. Owner Roman Abramovich smiles his strange smile and agrees, for now.

Last season’s champions Leicester City are through to the knockout stage of the Champions League after beating Juventus to top spot in the group phase.

Gary Lineker has exploded.

Happy New Year all.