Well, it's been three days since Football Manager 2017 hit the shelves and chances are that heading to work this morning will be the first time that some avid gamers will have stepped outside since grabbing their copy.
The most popular sports strategy computer game on the market, Football Manager gives fans the chance to assume the role of manager at their favourite team and lead them to glory, or not as in my case.
With its attention to detail and a global scouting network so thorough that real football managers have even admitted to using the game, it is no surprise that its popularity has endured.
But just how realistic is it? We simulated five seasons of the game in a bid to see what the future had in store for Chester FC . Here's what we found.
Do we get back to the Football League?
In a word, no. Chester finish 16th in the Vanarama National League this season and the 2017/18 campaign is a disappointing affair with the Blues just about seeing themselves safe in 18th position.
The 2018/19 season was an altogether more positive affair with Chester finishing 10th and the following season saw them register an 11th placed finish. The 2020/21 season sees the Blues fail to build on the two previous campaigns and they finish 17th.
Who wins the National League this year?
Despite their hefty budgets both Forest Green Rovers and Tranmere Rover fall short again and the honours eventually go to part-timers Braintree Town, with York City going up through the play-offs. If that prophecy is to come true then they better start winning games sharpish.
What happens to Jon McCarthy?
The Blues boss takes the decision to resign in June 2018 following their 18th placed finish.
What players are still here?
Just three players remain at the club in five years time. Matty Waters goes on to establish himself as a key cog at the Lookers Vauxhall Stadium while Blaine Hudson and Wade Joyce also stick around.
What about this season?
Finishing 16th in the National League this season, James Alabi finishes the campaign as top scorer with 16 goals – four shy of McCarthy's predicted 20 .
The Player of the Season accolade goes to Evan Horwood who, from 27 appearances, averaged a rating of 7.44 per game.
In this fantasy world, Chester reach the second round of the FA Cup this season. After beating Alfreton Town 2-0 in the fourth qualifying round they then put Bromley to the sword in round one thanks to goals from Craig Mahon, Alabi and Johnny Hunt at the Lookers Vauxhall Stadium.
A home draw against Exeter City follows where a James Akintunde strike earns a 1-1 draw against the Grecians in front of 4,737 fans. However, the replay sees Exeter earn safe passage to the third round proper thanks to a 3-0 win.
Hudson finishes the season as the player to clock up the most appearances, featuring 36 times during the campaign.
