MJB

15 games to go in my first season and we're sitting top, albeit with the top 6 covered by 6 points. I've had too many silly draws at home against lower teams. Failing to really convert our chances which is frustrating. Part of me wishes we don't go up as I think we'll get killed in the VNL.

First eight races are; 05/07 - Austria 12/07 - Austria 19/07 - Hungary 02/08 - Britain 09/08 - Britain 16/08 - Spain 30/08 - Belgium 06/09 - Italy

Bought this before the weekend after seeing the offer on CD Keys (cheers, Baddar!). Started a lower league save, went on holiday for the first year and then selected a new club who had been promoted to the Conference North. Ended up going with Lowestoft Town. I had six players for my first friendly but have brought in 12 new players. Some were slightly panicked towards the end of pre-season but nevermind. I'm a bit over my wage budget but I'm sure it'll be fine <_<. Mixed start, we have almost perfect home form (3-1-0) but dreadful away form (0-2-2) so I've got some work to do but I'm sure it's something I can build on. Cautiously optimistic that I finish in the top half, potentially pushing for the playoffs if we get everything right. Anybody got any player recommendations I should be looking at? My scout is pretty dreadful and am struggling to find real gems. One question - this is my first FM since maybe 13, but when I click on players, some of them have blank attributes. Is this down to scouting, my reputation or a setting I've missed?

I can't see it personally. Fernando will want to win, Renault aren't going to win until 2022 at the very earliest and even that is a massive ask. I don't think he'll be happy fighting for P6 at best each weekend. Plus, Renault's future is uncertain in the sport anyway and if they were apparently unsure about being able to match Ricciardo's current deal, I can't imagine them being able to afford Fernando. The only way I could see it is if Fernando gets more involved in the team than just on a driver level.

Ricciardo confirmed at McLaren from 2021 on 'multi-year deal' alongside Lando. Carlos to Ferrari will presumably be announced later today. EDIT: Confirmed. Sainz to Ferrari for 2021 & 2022.

I'm pretty sure this isn't true anymore. I will concede that his previous alignments make it unlikely. However, let's not forget that Wolff has recently purchased shares in the Aston Martin-Stroll collaboration and has himself been linked with a move away from Mercedes in recent times.

How about Bottas? Solid driver, not spectacular. Has experienced playing the #2 role and would bring knowledge from Mercedes as well as de-stabilising them.

So Arsenal and Spurs can play?

@Baddar

Gutting for Charles, dominated the whole weekend. Made a poor start but then passed Bottas and Vettel on track and was clearly going to win the race. It was back to 2018 really for both Seb and Valtteri. Bottas with no pace really while Seb showed his fragility in wheel-to-wheel racing with his spin after being passed by Lewis. A very weird spin, especially as Lewis was already clear. Hamilton drove a decent race and did pass Seb twice along with passing Valtteri despite losing out at the start. Lewis did everything he could and clearly lucked into the victory but made sure he was in P2 to pick up the pieces.

I mean it's awful from Sissoko but so impressive by Van Dijk. Looked in complete control.

Certainties in life - death, taxes and Lewis on pole in Melbourne.

To me, it wasn't. I really enjoyed the first episode in Detroit but the two in Columbia were missing something.

Might be worth finding the clips of Kimi at tonight's prize giving gala. He's bladdered!

Hamilton wins, Seb and Max come together. Seb ends up 6th. Gap is 67pts with four races to go. If Lewis outscores Seb by 8pts in Austin, it’s all over.

Ferrari cocked up the strategy again and a mistake by Vettel puts him 9th for tomorrow. Hamilton on pole with his wingman alongside him.

Not necessarily F1 stuff, but junior formula nonetheless. Mick Schumacher has just won his fourth F3 race in a row and now leads the F3 Championship by 18 points on Britain's Dan Ticktum. Elsewhere, in British F3, Billy Monger has taken Pole Position at Donington Park, the same track where he lost both legs in April last year.

Sounds like it’s going to be Wehrlein and Kvyat at Toro Rosso. Russell seems to be on his way to Williams as well. Meanwhile, Hamilton is on pole. Tremendous lap with Max alongside him and Seb just behind.

Great race. Vettel making far too many mistakes, he has the car still to win this WDC but he needs to cut these errors out. Superb drive from Lewis, was within a second of Kimi for pretty much the first 45 laps.

Maddison looks like he’s been in the Premier League for years, certainly more than half of the United lot. First 3 minutes were great, the next 42 were dreadful. I love Bailly but he’s a sliding red card waiting to happen.

The lack of depth and talent in central midfield is frightening.

I understand he's been on the bench, and I wouldn't have restored Heaton straight away after injury during the middle of the season when Pope was in very good form. However, once Heaton has had a full pre-season, I'd be really surprised not to see him start the next season as first choice.

Wasn't Heaton skipper? I'd be surprised if he wasn't back in as #1 in August. It's not as though he was playing badly before the injury either. Don't get me wrong, Pope has been in great form but personally, I'd put Heaton back in.

I'd also have taken him. While he's not had a great couple of years, he does seem to have a strong character and personality. He's also been to a World Cup before as No1 and therefore knows what it's all about. The rest of the squad is fairly young and inexperienced, I think he'd have been a good guy to have around.

Different season, same man on pole in Australia. Hamilton with his 7th in Melbourne but has only converted two into wins so there’s still hope.