britneyspearsisgod

Well, that was a penalty

CREDIT: BBC Sport Jesus Chelsea! Didn't think you were going for this, but kudos to you.

In fairness to Man Utd, they are more than capable of pulling something from this game if they hit 1st gear, never mind any other. Blackpool are a good team if you let them play their way. Once Fergie rips them apart at half-time and if they move quicker and put the pressure on Blackpool, then they will get results. I love how Blackpool are doing, but be under no illusions - this is Man Utd's game to lose if they choose to not make the effort.

COME ON BLACKPOOL!!!!!!!!! Man Utd are just falling asleep right now! Take 'em to town, Ollie!

If Vince bought Newcastle, I would 100% support the team and can only imagine the craziness that would ensue. In all seriousness, if there's any part of that rumour that becomes true, be afraid. XFL proves Vince McMahon only truly understands one form of entertainment.

The thing is, Holloway has had these problems at smaller clubs before. Specifically, Bristol Rovers. We had a great strike-force in Jamie Cureton and Jason Roberts, but despite his hard-line tactics on not selling them, they got sold. And Nathan Ellington too. The difference however is that whilst the board at Rovers needed the money desperately, Blackpool have a stronger-willed board who are in a position to tell other clubs "Give us a fair valuation for Charlie and we'll talk". I think Ollie is lucky in that he has a board who will know what to do, as opposed to Bristol Rovers who's board will just crumble at the first sign of a £5 note. I think it does have the potential to ruin their season, but only if Ollie allows it to. I'm sure he has built up enough contacts in the game now to be able to persuade Sir Alex or someone of that calibre to loan back a player to compensate. Liverpool could even send someone to Blackpool as part of any deal.

I don't know. I tend to find Bent doesn't score much in Madrid

So, I started a game with U.D. Vecindario of Gran Canaría. I fancied having fun and not giving a shit, so I gave them lots and lots of money and I am looking to build a crazy dynasty of footballing great. The team were bottom of the Spanish Second Division B1. The team had an atrocious fitness level and no physio's or scouts at the club. The entire back-room and team has been revamped and now we have an outside chance of hitting the play-off's if results go our way. We also just won a match against 18th in the table Coruxo 6-0, all of which came from long shots. Every goal were hit from at least 20yrds out. Absolutely amazing.

I don't see this as a bad thing. It's still a large stadium fans will like to go to and they'll still get a pay day from it, so I see no problem. Something different is no bad thing.

I never listen to my assistants in the backroom advice screen, to be honest. I generally know what I want the players to do. I always hire my assistants to have good youth development and recruitment skills so that they manage my youth team and suggest to me top quality players. Apparently, I struggle against teams who play 4-4-2. Considering I play 4-4-2 and have gone 7 games unbeaten, I don't think it's the formation stopping me. Good players overcome any tactics, I feel.

With the man known as Lennie Lawrence coming in as their Assistant Manager, they've got a great deal there. Much of Bristol Rovers' recent success can he attributed in some regard to his influence on Paul Trollope and the team at the time. He'll help Dougie Freedman settle into the role of Manager very well. As for the 2012 stadium? It should be an athletics stadium. Tottenham can redevelop White Hart Lane with little problems and West Ham can just go fuck themselves in many regards. Crystal Palace moving to their spiritual home is something I can support (seeing as Bristol Rovers would love to do that, but can't because IKEA occupy the space we use to have). I don't see how West Ham can logically have a running track around a football pitch either. That is pretty much a cardinal sin, as far as football goes. Well, not really. But it would be shite.

I would LOVE for Bristol Rovers to sign Tubbs at the moment. But it has to be a good deal for us to take him. We need another striker, even if everyone keeps talking about getting a "target man" striker. Everyone seems to forget it was Rickie Lambert's talent on the ball that made him so vital for us, not just his height.

The grass roots will only follow if it comes from the top. They follow what is being shown on TV, like anybody who loves the top level of their sport does. Shit falls from the top of the pyramid, so it needs to be eradicated in the Premiership to see any long lasting effect begin.

Exactly. So he's been there since the summer and it's not going to plan. Turn it around

La Liga's best attack versus La Liga's worst defence - it wasn't going to end any other way bar a miracle. The table at the half-way point: P GD PTS 1 Barcelona 19 50 52 2 Real Madrid 19 30 48 3 Villarreal 19 18 39 4 Valencia 19 9 37 5 Espanyol 19 0 34 6 Athletic Bilbao 19 -2 29 7 Atletico Madrid 18 5 27 8 Mallorca 18 2 27 9 Getafe 19 -1 27 10 Sevilla 19 -5 26 11 Real Sociedad 19 -2 25 12 Hercules 19 -6 22 13 Deportivo 19 -11 21 14 Racing 19 -11 20 15 Osasuna 19 -8 18 16 Malaga 19 -17 17 17 Sporting Gijon 19 -10 16 18 Real Zaragoza 19 -15 16 19 Levante 19 -11 15 20 Almeria 19 -15 14 Interesting to see how Malaga turn things around, considering their new Sheik owner.

Real Madrid were simultaneously lucky and unlucky to get a result out of that match. They didn't deserve a win and were fortunate for the draw, but the moment they pushed for the winner they were unlucky to not get a goal. Very strange. Good result for Barcelona - I find it hard to see them losing the title this year, but you can never tell with Madrid behind. Madrid seem to have problems in getting the ball past the defence and scoring goals. They definitely need somebody to step in with the ability to put the ball in the net. Xavi with a fantastic goal there too. As I said, I find it hard to see Barcelona at any point giving this title up any time soon.

Probably impossible for you being at Utd, but Daniel Ayala is a sound CB with potential to be a first team player in the Prem. Failing that, I would give your man Corry Evans the opportunity. Every time I sign him, he turns out to be a great player for me. Can play CB, DM and CM. Versatile

So, apparently Avram Grant has no chance of staying in the job at West Ham and Martin O'Neill is in line to get the job. Firstly, with the board at West Ham, would a man like Martin O'Neill - noted for his control issues, as evident by his departure from Aston Villa - REALLY want to get involved in the quagmire that is West Ham United? Their board can't come out and publicly back their manager, they can't go out and get Steve Sidwell and think getting Wayne Bridge will solve problems and their Vice-Chairman is too busy swanning about with media celebrities and appearing on the fucking Apprentice and believes it's perfect sense to air dirty laundry in public. Who wants to get involved in that? Also consider that they need major reinforcing if they are to achieve any kind of result this season and I can't see anyone like MON taking the job. Secondly, Avram is a much better cup/tournament manager than a club manager it seems. I feel bad for him being under so much pressure and wish him the best, but it might be wise for him to move into international management with a smaller country. Or get involved with Israel's set-up. Either way, I don't think he can do much else there any more. They need a tougher man in charge.

Everyone has to be selected, I believe. I find they tend to do it if they're running out of ideas, so I make a point of telling them to do something, like "retain possession" or something. Or even change the tactics. Attack makes them just fire the ball at goal a lot. My subs? I tend to sub around the 70-75 min mark. I never worry about defenders, but I always make sure I put fresh legs on for the wings and midfield. I generally don't worry about time - I keep tabs on fitness. If there is a fitness issue, I sub the players there. That's always my main concern. I'm guessing their composure is low? Find a striker who has good composure and a modicum of finishing ability and just get the ball to his feet. Not a guarantee, but it might help. Someone you might want to look at is Gary Wales. He's about 31, Scottish and has played for Hearts, Kilmarnock and on loan for Gillingham and Walsall when they were in the Championship. Dunno if he'll go for you, but he should do a job at that level.

Expect to win and you can win mostly, with the occasional good luck when it's a team who are blatantly better than us. Morale hasn't seen any drop from any match barring when I declared my anger at Uwezu because he managed to be at 4.5 by half time, and even then it said he was angry but motivated. I've now gone 12 games, one win, the two losses I mentioned and EVERY other game has been a draw, whether it be surefire promotion teams or guaranteed relegation teams. I've decided to drop Uwezu for a month or two. His inconsistency was driving me insane and I think he might be the problem because he's simply not going for goal, but is trying to be a target man holding the ball for other players even after giving him instructions to the contrary and him having developed great tactical sense points in the off season. Signed up a couple more pacey strikers and I'm going to try and switch to a counter attack style, since my defence is as solid as ever and they're the best part about the team I'll use them to my advantage. The good news is that I have managed to take the lead since I last mentioned, but my defence was beaten by an absolute screamer of a 40 yard goal. Thankfully I'm still exceeding board expectations thanks to my unbeaten streaks and the type of teams I've managed to hold out on, but I'm not happy myself. My target is 60 points, which I see as a relegation safe zone, so if I keep drawing at this rate I'll miss that target but judging by last year's relegations I should still be in with a chance of beating the drop. Got to say, it's honestly one of the most thrilling saves I've undertaken, and seeing my stadium suddenly getting more packed out (and thus, we're now turning a profit every month instead of inconsistently) thanks to the higher level of competition has made my accomplishments feel a lot more significant. If anyone's looking for an intruiging first couple of years that is somewhat easy but requires you to keep on your toes in regards to players then I'd really suggest Telford. Generally 46 points keeps you safe in the English leagues, so consider that your target. As for the team, there's a complacency issue. I wouldn't just keep the "wish you luck" for the big teams - use it for similar teams as well. Sometimes you have to challenge them in a different way. It's not always "you have to win", but sometimes to just question whether they are good enough. They should try to prove you wrong. I find "Expecting to win" only works against the lower teams and it's not a great tactic to use. Teams play better with confidence - taking the pressure off players work for me in lower leagues.

Sometimes, it's okay to have squad players. Not every player needs to be ultra-super-awesome-amazing.

What kind of team talk do you give them to start the match?

As I said, my tactics failed me in that game because I grew frustrated at them never listening (which didn't help with me berating them). I have to say, every time I sign or use Daniel Ayala in FM, he turns into a fantastic CB. I absolutely frigging love him.

I think Fabio on loan would be a fantastic idea for them, personally. Gives him a chance to get games and gives West Ham a cheaper alternative at LB.

The problem is Torres works best when he gets in the penalty area. You need people behind him who can lay the ball to him. I would have 3 attacking midfielders up there with him. You signed Hazard, didn't you? Sit Hazard on the left and let him run with the ball. My problem with Liverpool was simply defending - they were terrible at letting defenders get behind them and being caught on the break, but I think that's down to the tactics I employed. Attacking was fine. I had Eden Hazard and Tranquillo Barnetta on the wings as Inside Forwards, cutting inside and supporting Torres up front. I never had a central AM, prefering three central midfields (mostly because my defence leaked goals). However, I would recommend Hazard going behind Torres (to utilize his amazing dribbling skills), Gerrard on the right and Jovanovic on the left. The three of them behind Torres should either support him or score themselves. Then stick either two DM's to defend or two central players with one defending and one supporting. But don't use Joe Cole as a CM, because he's wank. I hope your defence is better than mine however.