Press Conference Week 1

1. What do you make of the FIFA results format?

2. Is the FIFA format making you buy differently in the transfer market?

3. Who is your early pick for the title?

4. How different do you feel last season would have gone for you under the FIFA format?

5. Wrestlemania this week. Do you care? If so what's the standout for you?

6. Will Man City wrap up the title this weekend, bearing in mind what happened to them the other night?

7. Should Pep be criticised for not having a backup left back considering his budget, and instead playing the likes of Delph, Zinchenko and Laporte out of position?

8. Who, if anyone, have you backed in the Masters (Golf)?

1. What do you make of the FIFA results format?

I like it. I like the fact that you have a game to watch, you have to make your own judgement on what is working and what isn't, that the player ratings are not subjected to different opinions, and I love the fact that I don't have to vote!

2. Is the FIFA format making you buy differently in the transfer market?

Definitely. Before I would use my own judgement, whereas now everything is quantified. It's a bit more Big Sam I guess.

3. Who is your early pick for the title?

I think Tino could do a Leicester and climb the whole table from top to bottom. Hero will also be strong because although his ratings will have taken a hit, he could very quickly cash in on high value players, and he is shrewd enough to spend it wisely.

4. How different do you feel last season would have gone for you under the FIFA format?

No different I think. I think my team was quite well rated and I was doing quite well, but as soon as it looked like I couldn't win the league I started blooding youngsters. I think my team would still have been quite strong on FIFA, but not good enough to win.

5. Wrestlemania this week. Do you care? If so what's the standout for you?

Don't care one bit as its not something I follow. If the Ultimate Warriors not in it, then no one stands out?

6. Will Man City wrap up the title this weekend, bearing in mind what happened to them the other night?

I think so. Liverpool's attack cause everyone problems, and whereas some teams sit back and soak it up, and get a result, it's not in Citys ethos to do so, so they got beat. United don't have the ability going forward that Liverpool do, so I can't see them causing the same problems.

7. Should Pep be criticised for not having a backup left back considering his budget, and instead playing the likes of Delph, Zinchenko and Laporte out of position?

I think Delph and Zinchenko have done well tbh. Laporte looked lost at LB. I wouldn't criticise Pep for it though, they have done pretty well with the players they have.

8. Who, if anyone, have you backed in the Masters (Golf)?

I like to have a look at players who are in decent form, quite high in the rankings and long odds. Did it and got 66/1 with Danny Willet two years ago and aiming to repeat the trick with Tyrell Hatton

1. What do you make of the FIFA results format?

I think it is great and has given the league a boost. Win or lose, it has added extra excitement in seeing just how your team performs on the pitch.

2. Is the FIFA format making you buy differently in the transfer market?

Definitely. I think who will see a lot more deals as well. Big money names doesn't automatically mean wins now. I would never have sold Silva for instance in the normal results format.

3. Who is your early pick for the title?

Everybody. It is all so even.

4. How different do you feel last season would have gone for you under the FIFA format?

I think I would have done better. I was marked down for certain tactical moves that I think would work in FIFA

5. Wrestlemania this week. Do you care? If so what's the standout for you?

I usually buy it every year. But none of the matches are the ones a casual fan would buy it for.

6. Will Man City wrap up the title this weekend, bearing in mind what happened to them the other night?

Yep. Nothing more to add.

7. Should Pep be criticised for not having a backup left back considering his budget, and instead playing the likes of Delph, Zinchenko and Laporte out of position?

Can't think you can based upon the league position. Look at Young for Man U or Milner at Pool. New positions for players sometimes gives them new lease of life.

8. Who, if anyone, have you backed in the Masters (Golf)?

I haven't backed anyone but my pick would be Rose

1. What do you make of the FIFA results format?
It makes things easier, and it means I don't have to vote, what's not to like?!

2. Is the FIFA format making you buy differently in the transfer market?
It is, I'd never have dreamed of selling Pione Sisto to buy Wayne Rooney before this but the Fifa ratings make it worth doing.

3. Who is your early pick for the title?
Hard to call, I'd say Hero for his financial wealth but much closer this season IMO.

4. How different do you feel last season would have gone for you under the FIFA format?
Probably wouldn't quite have been as high as 2nd but I'd like to think I'd have been top half.

5. Wrestlemania this week. Do you care? If so what's the standout for you?
Nothing majorly standing out for me compared to the other wrestling over the weekend but I'll still watch it.

6. Will Man City wrap up the title this weekend, bearing in mind what happened to them the other night?
I can see Man U getting a draw against a weakened City side to give Man U fans a sense of pride at denying them the title until next week, but I hope they wrap it up and take the momentum into the 2nd leg v Liverpool.

7. Should Pep be criticised for not having a backup left back considering his budget, and instead playing the likes of Delph, Zinchenko and Laporte out of position?
I just think that it's a no brainer for any of us to have cover in every position, and the lack of an out and out LB arguably cost City against Liverpool.

8. Who, if anyone, have you backed in the Masters (Golf)?I've backed Patrick Reed and Webb Simpson at big odds, each way. Anybody's tournament to actually win.

1. What do you make of the FIFA results format?

Well being as I'd pushed for it for a while I kind of have to say I love it... and I do! Great 1st game.

2. Is the FIFA format making you buy differently in the transfer market?

I sold Jadon Sancho and Phil Foden, I bought Bale and Hamsik. What do you think?

3. Who is your early pick for the title?

Split between Nando and Afro, both exceptionally strong teams already.

4. How different do you feel last season would have gone for you under the FIFA format?

I wouldn't have won it by a stroll. And I think that says a lot when I want to change it away from the format used.

5. Wrestlemania this week. Do you care? If so what's the standout for you?

Nakamura v AJ or Asuka v Flair.

6. Will Man City wrap up the title this weekend, bearing in mind what happened to them the other night?

Yep, City will be a wounded animal wanting to bite back.

7. Should Pep be criticised for not having a backup left back considering his budget, and instead playing the likes of Delph, Zinchenko and Laporte out of position?

Delph has done well, think it was more a criticism of Pep's tactics that he went to Anfield and was unprepared for an onslaught. Mourinho has shown how to deal with Liverpool's attack.

8. Who, if anyone, have you backed in the Masters (Golf)?
I like golf on a similar level to cricket, rugby and F1. I'd rather insert rusty nails in my japs eye.

1. What do you make of the FIFA results format?

I think its brought new life to the league, and there's a lot of enthusiasm .. I can't imagine spending 2 hours on a working afternoon building a spreadsheet for the old league, put it that way

2. Is the FIFA format making you buy differently in the transfer market?

Yep, similarly to Hero I've gone away from the hipster players and tried to bring in a bit of proven quality - think I need to be wary of going too far towards the ageing players!

3. Who is your early pick for the title?

Really tight to call, but adding Hamsik and Bale to a strong attacking line up makes Hero an early front runner .. but until the first round is over I won't stick my neck out

4. How different do you feel last season would have gone for you under the FIFA format?

Probably not much different, I would have bought differently but I certainly wouldn't have been challenging

5. Wrestlemania this week. Do you care? If so what's the standout for you?

I don't watch WWE, but I'll watch Wrestlemania if I'm bored and its on repeat on Sky Sports .. so fairly indifferent

6. Will Man City wrap up the title this weekend, bearing in mind what happened to them the other night?

Watching the game, it almost seemed like they were looking to contain Liverpool and were a bit off the pace .. whether that's because they're looking to save themselves for Utd or not, but I expect them to be fired up

7. Should Pep be criticised for not having a backup left back considering his budget, and instead playing the likes of Delph, Zinchenko and Laporte out of position?

He's done this a few times now, just looked tactically inept in the latter stages of the CL - look at how he tried to take on the Barca front 3 with Bayern. Mendy injury was obviously unforeseen, but I'm sure they'll spend another couple of hundred £m this summer

8. Who, if anyone, have you backed in the Masters (Golf)?

Justin Rose

1. What do you make of the FIFA results format?

I like it - imo it's what will keep these leagues going, obviously providing whoever is doing the matches has the time to do them. This is more actual "mangement" in my opinion, as you are having to buy players, set them up, watch them and then figure out tactics that work and don't, players that work well and don't etc.

2. Is the FIFA format making you buy differently in the transfer market?

I don't have enough money to buy anyone

3. Who is your early pick for the title?

Hero or Marky. My squad is too thin for me to compete over the course of a season, but I like my chances when I have a fully fit team too.

4. How different do you feel last season would have gone for you under the FIFA format?

Probably worse

5. Wrestlemania this week. Do you care? If so what's the standout for you?

YES. Card looks amazing this year, cannot wait for it.

6. Will Man City wrap up the title this weekend, bearing in mind what happened to them the other night?

Who cares if they do or don't? They've been the best team this season and will wrap it up whenever

7. Should Pep be criticised for not having a backup left back considering his budget, and instead playing the likes of Delph, Zinchenko and Laporte out of position?

Playing Laporte at LB on Wednesday was a stupid decision, but otherwise he's used Delph/Zinchenko well there as the backups. Problem is backups usually are there for 5/10 games a season, when the main guy is out with a niggle for a few weeks or so - not literally the whole season when the main LB you've brought tears his knee in two a few games into the season

8. Who, if anyone, have you backed in the Masters (Golf)?

My bets each way were - Spieth, Matsuyama, Noren, Walker, Moore and Fitzpatrick. Looking good to break even so far at least

1. What do you make of the FIFA results format?
It's a nice innovative idea. 3 years in the making but we got there in the end

2. Is the FIFA format making you buy differently in the transfer market?
Haven't bought anyone I normally wouldn't have yet.

3. Who is your early pick for the title?
Hero just bought in Bale so him. He's a much better player than that french guy he had before

4. How different do you feel last season would have gone for you under the FIFA format?
Trebs did a brilliant job last season. This team would have walked the league last season if it were under the aforementioned format.

5. Wrestlemania this week. Do you care? If so what's the standout for you?
Anything but a Roman Reigns victory. The guy's a caant. Hopefully Undertaker doesn't fight Cena. No need to tarnish his legacy anymore. He should just Retire In Peace.

6. Will Man City wrap up the title this weekend, bearing in mind what happened to them the other night?
Definitely. José must have showed his players the match between Pool and City from the other day and will do the exact opposite of what Pool did. Easy win for City.

7. Should Pep be criticised for not having a backup left back considering his budget, and instead playing the likes of Delph, Zinchenko and Laporte out of position?
Zinchenko is a good talent think he's done a decent job at LB. It's a shame that Mendy has been injured for them but he'll be back and he's easily the best left back on the epl when fit.

8. Who, if anyone, have you backed in the Masters (Golf)?
I dont watch golf but Rory Mcilroy is always one of the favs. My money's on him.

Post by Marky on Thu Apr 05, 2018 4:49 pm

1. What do you make of the FIFA results format?

I like it, think it offers something different and seems to have added more enthusiasm to the league.

2. Is the FIFA format making you buy differently in the transfer market?

Not really, good players are good players regardless of the engine used for results.

3. Who is your early pick for the title?

Afro

4. How different do you feel last season would have gone for you under the FIFA format?

I don't think I'd have been rooted to the bottom, probably mid-table

5. Wrestlemania this week. Do you care? If so what's the standout for you?

not fussed really anymore, used to be a melt for 'taker but he needs to stay retired really

6. Will Man City wrap up the title this weekend, bearing in mind what happened to them the other night?

yes

7. Should Pep be criticised for not having a backup left back considering his budget, and instead playing the likes of Delph, Zinchenko and Laporte out of position?

yea i think all sides need proper depth, but he gets away with it cus he's like the messiah

8. Who, if anyone, have you backed in the Masters (Golf)?

Woods would have been a fairytale, always had a soft spot for Sergio Garcia