Greetings Earthlings.

Today we are 21...again!

I wonder who the youngest member of our merry band is?

Still, age is but a number.

Many attributes are linked to age: forgetfulness, passion, energy, wisdom, social awareness, vulnerability, strength, calm..., and on it goes. It might be easier to wonder what is not at all impacted upon by age...? 

From; you cant win nothing with kids; to; if you dont have pace and energy in your side you cant win anything. 

Our very own Gaffer is fond of saying that the boys need some help. By this, his particular belief about age is related to balance. When you are in a fight, he suggests, then we need the experienced player to get us up and out. However, my long term plan is to get the youth in...with some experience players too. Ultimately though, he would suggest, I want youngsters with lots of experience. Sounds like the plight of many a school leaver over the last 4 decades and indeed represents a wonderful paradox of life itself. Mistakes maketh the man. But, be sure the mistake isnt too big, or, you will be making porridge for the rest of your life.

Week 21 , sees Millers Banterer's come of age. For those of you who have managed to avoid any major predicting disasters or made them and carried on to this point it is a time of solid reflection. You will be concerned now with keeping it ticking over but looking for that one tweak that will take you beyond the opposition. It is at this point that titles are won and lost.  One risk too many V paralysing fear. 

To celebrate such uncertain ground while being at your most steadfast best our Bonus this week reflects difficult choices: stick or twist! Advance or dig in!

You each get a chance to play a Joker (as first seen in Millers Banter prediction league 1971) . The Joker is worth Triple the score on that one fixture. However, if the Joker is played on a Game where you score 2 or less you lose 10 bonus points plus the amount of the fixture. A possible 15 point loss.

will you take a risk as a teenager might, or will you sit back and let others do the damage for you as the more seasoned campaigner would.

Simply place the word 'Joker' next to the fixture if you wish to take a risk.

Here are the fixtures for the Grown up Millers Banter predictions league of 21.

Tuesday 15th December.

1. Cardiff 2 V Brentford 1

2. Charlton 1 V Bolton 1

3. Derby 2 V Bristol City 0

4. Fulham 0 V Ipswich 2

5. Huddersfield 1 V Rotherham 2

6. Middlesbrough 2 V Burnley 1

7. MK Dons 1 V Sheffield Wednesday 2

8. Preston 1 V Birmingham 1

9. QPR 1 V Brighton 1

Wednesday 16th December.

10. Hull 2 V Reading 1

Thursday 17th December 

11. Wolves 1 V leeds 1

Friday 18th December

12. Birmingham 2 V Cardiff  0

Bonus: TBD but think Im sticking...