Sureshot

For the first time in a looong while, I'm actually pleasantly surprised by a FIFA demo. Every single year I've given them a few plays and gone away feeling 'yeah... still nowhere near PES' (apart from last year where it was more like 'PES sucks this year, but FIFA still sucks a bit more'). They seem to have got the engine right this year and it no longer feels like players are hovering around over the pitch with the manoeuvring ability of a Volvo on an ice rink. They have finally conjured up something that I'd consider 'solid'. There are still a few things that annoy me about the game (like not being able to increase your power bar any further once you've let go of shoot/lob) but I would definitely consider picking this up if Konami are going to come out with the dross they have been for the last couple of years (apart from the Wii versions of PES which are fantastic, but ultimately a bit too different).

Decent performance, thought we showed a good deal of energy and we did particularly well in applying pressure and closing them down. Great finish from Gabby for his goal.

My night, the match, in the pub, in my Villa shirt: 10 Rating for how satisfying it was to rub my scouse mate's nose in it (and all the random other 'scousers' out at the pub): 10 Rating for how much they disliked me by the end of the game: 10 Rating for Lucas (aka - 'Agent Laursen, is that you? I'd recognise that hairdo any day.'): 10 Rating for being able to talk some impressionable American girls who were interested in 'sahker' through the finer points of the game and exactly how we were the superior team within earshot of my scouse mate: 10 Chopper Gerrard: 10 FSW moaning at the 4th official after we scored off the corner: 10 4-5-1: 11. THANK GOD!

I'm going out into Paris tonight to watch this with a mate - who happens to be a Pool fan. We'd better stuff them... If you're in the area and see 2 blokes walking around in Villa/Pool shirts, come and say hi.

Only English fluently. My French is alright but since everyone speaks English at work/when I'm out, it's not that important to know fluently. I also did Spanish and German to GSCE but I'm pretty rusty at those now, and I know a bit if Swedish as well. My last girlfriend tried to teach me Icelandic - that's one difficult language!

First thing - Nicky Shorey should not be allowed near the football pitch on a matchday. I'd prefer to play with a back three than have to sit there shouting 'what the **** are you doing, Shorey?' for an entire game. Second - this is probably the first game I've openly and vocally slated Ash. What point he was trying to prove today I'm not sure, but ignoring everyone else, trying to take on 3 players and sulking when it doesn't pay off is utterly frustrating to watch. Played for himself and his own 'vendetta' today, really was not playing for the team. Next - strikers were anonymous, but that probably has to do with the mindless hoofball that was coming from the other end of the park. I won't even talk any more about our defence as I'm sure everyone else noticed how absolutely lost they looked most of the time. Finally - as I said before the game, MON seriously needs to bring in some more bodies before this month is out. Perhaps half the reason why the players seemed like they couldn't be arsed today is the fact that we have lost two key players and replaced neither. We need a couple of big-name players to rejuvinate confidence and replace the skill that we have lost. I'm not going to overreact and say MON needs to go or anything, but I can really see many people calling for his head come Christmas if we've bought in no more bodies and are still playing the atrocious excuse for football that we saw today. This was (and still is) probably MON's biggest transfer window, which, so far, has been incredibly underwhelming considering the importance of the players that we lost and overall size of the squad.

Where's the R&R thread?

Laughable.

Neutral for me. We lost some big players in Barry & Laursen and certainly have not made any straight replacements for them, but we have also made some decent signings and its encouraging to see some of the youngsters coming through. We just need Alan Hansen to say something about never winning anything with kids right about now. I'm still concerned about the size of the squad and any excuses that MON comes out with regard to this are simply not acceptable any more. But the window still isn't closed so hopefully we can do something else before it does. MON needs to go in for someone big before the month is out.

Reading JG's book right now which is good stuff so far, and have quite a few others to get through such as Cantona's new biography.

In the real world they actually have army guys with FAMASes walking around looking all gritty. Haven't seen Taken so can't really comment on it; maybe they were on a tea break.

Let me chuck some in, trying to stay away from anything mega obvious: The Negotiator Das Experiment Deep Cover The Insider Force 10 from Navarone Where Eagles Dare Memento Unforgiven Riki-Oh: The Story of Ricky Wall Street Harsh Times Abre Los Ojos Blow Donnie Brasco Rogue Trader

At the local greasy spoon nearby one of my old jobs, they used to do amazing pepper steak baguettes with onions, mayo and butter. So dirty but SO nice.

Click They're making it far too easy, aren't they?

The best 3D fighting game ever

Avril Lavigne (although her last album was pretty unlistenable)

Fore!

The Fonz is the correct answer. Pacino is damn close though.

Jesus, what a game.

I actually support the Bills but will be rooting for the Steelers, being a Pens fan also.

We should steal the 'Play up Pompey' song and apply Carlos Cuellar.

Off target for me too. However, what happens if a goalie saves a shot that was going wide? Most would probably class that 'on target' but it's no more on target than hitting the woodwork.

Went for Petrov.