Troglodyte

It'd be very easy to target him if he were playing for someone like Wigan. Yes, he has the skill, pace, speed of thought and movement to get out of situations where he's got two or three men tightly marking him; but at Barcelona teams find it difficult to have pin him down for an entire game, not just because of his skill, but because that simply frees up space for Xavi, Iniesta, Pedro, Villa et al to inflict damage instead. If he were playing for Wigan, it'd be a lot easier to just try and mark him out of the game. Plus, he wouldn't get the supply he gets at Barcelona - let's not forget they're the best passing side in the world. On top of that, in realistic/practical terms (not that Messi at Wigan is particularly realistic!) he'd have to adjust to the climate, culture, language, style of play etc. Any team would be hugely improved with Lionel Messi playing in it, but I don't think he alone could take Wigan to being a top 4 side.

Sounds like an odd 'bug'. Are you sure it's not anything to do with your training, team/player instructions, players' aggression and temperament (for the red cards and penalties), players' conditions, fitness, injury proneness etc?

Messi is a very good passer of the ball. Xavi and Iniesta are two of the most creative players in the world, and play behind him, so he will find himself in an advanced position and on the receiving end of passes all the time. If you look at Xavi's passing stats, they're unbelievable. Messi then scores a ridiculous amount of goals, as well as providing assists of his own. Even when he's not involved in the direct passage of play though, his movement is fantastic. All this, coupled with his work rate and exemplary attitude, and of course his skill with the ball at his feet, make him the best player in the world.

Assume you've sobered up now Which Scotch were you on?

LOL indeed. And I have to agree with this:

15 points clear at the top of the Conference at the beginning of the new year (2014) on my Mansfield game. Hopefully, after three consecutive play-off disappointments, I can secure automatic promotion this season!

To label Pelé as "just a poacher" is absolutely bonkers.

I can see Albrighton trying to keep Bale pegged back. But if Spurs can get some decent possession, Bale will be able to get forward and I can't see Lichaj handling him too well. That said, I see this season as a transitional one, and one in which we can take a proper look at our youngsters. And in that respect, this is a big opportunity for Lichaj to step up and show us what he can do - at least he's got the chance, and I'm happy for him to have it.

Was just going to ask if Carew was injured.

I asked for a blender for Christmas, and I'm only 22.

He's just been appointed as Small Heath manager in my game!

Not the biggest fan of Paul Doyle. That said, I'm more a fan of his than I am a fan of Small Heath.

I'm not a huge fan of any of the kits. Think the goalkeeper kits are horrible, and although both the home and away kits have grown on me, I'm still not a big fan of either.

If Messi wins a World Cup he'll definitely be talked about for years to come as the best player of all time. And it'd be fully deserved.

I wasn't too impressed, either. It's still more entertaining than most rubbish on TV, but I don't find a lot of it funny any more. I don't know if more of the show is scripted, or if it's just more obviously/badly scripted, or if it's simply me noticing more, but it makes me laugh a lot less than it used to.

Went to see Tim Minchin at Nottingham Arena on Saturday, playing with a full symphony orchestra. Was different to seeing him play in the smaller Memorial Hall in Sheffield a few years ago, in front of about 500 people - there were several thousand in the arena. Very entertaining both times, though.

They should sign Balotelli now. Him, Cassano, Ronaldinho and Ibrahimovic would be crazy. Literally, as well as in a 'very good' sense.

Must... not... fall... into... trap...

Off to the pub shortly with a few friends from uni before we head home for Christmas. Think I'll be on the wheat beer tonight.

Didn't have the Polish leagues loaded, no.

Well, I've had no problems with the game, got the patch, and now it's crashed on me. So annoying!

In this case, I agree with the Tory :shock: (great name considering his job, BTW). Is anybody seriously suggesting that all recreational drugs should be made available on prescription? To anybody that wants them? And those that get refused do what? Apart from anything else, the NHS is overloaded as it is. Can you imagine your GP's waiting room filled with scallies asking for skunk, heroin, crack, acid, etc., etc.? Fine idea in principle, perhaps, but utterly unfeasible in practice. I certainly don't think the calls for acid to be available on prescription would be as reasonable as heroin etc. It would clearly have to be well thought out and regulated, but I think it would work. Plus, with the amount of money you'd save in policing etc if heroin was to be available in such a way would probably help to fund this, as would the money the government would rake in if they legalised cannabis!

Right, moving on to my fourth season of trying to get Mansfield Town back into the football league. Let's see if I get thwarted in the playoffs for the fourth year running. Ridiculous how only two teams out of 24 get promoted! I played 49 league games last season, finished comfortably second, and still didn't go up. Unfortunately it seems as though I'm going to have to make a few changes to the squad. I just hope it doesn't impact too negatively and mess up the start of my season again!

Don't they cost loads of money though?

I was about to post another picture in there when the thread got locked. This has clearly angered my PC as Internet Explorer then crashed, and I now can't log in to VT unless I'm using Firefox.