Old Bay

I've got FIFA 13. I like a 4-5-1. The key is in the midfield. I have wingers that are extra forwards and an attacking mid that's the focal point of my attack, generally. My center mids are my base that I generate my possession. I usually play with one defensive and one box to box midfielder. If I need more attack I make both of them box to box and if I need more defense both are defensive mids. My fullbacks are generally moving up to support the midfield as well, especially if I've got the midfield covering.

So I hear. But then again my sources are somewhat biased.

Never been. Maybe some day. I hear it's not the mightiest of metropolises.

FIFA helped me with familiarity, but I didn't really appreciate the Championship (and the lower leagues in general) until Blackburn were relegated. Whole new world. And I don't mean Pocahontas.

Alright Liverpool supporters, I need your help. I have a friend with a birthday coming up who follows Liverpool and I was wondering of recommendations of a book about the club's history?

I see a lot of weird things out of videos. Just ask Young Chew in the Owned Thread. It was pretty low quality (though most video presentations from the club are) and the build up was cringe-worthy. I think the fella is a life long fan, so at least there's that.

Remarkable, indeed. I think the blue should be darker, but overall it's a nice looking shirt.

Some Rovers fans aren't all that happy with him because he's a goal scorer and nothing else. He kept us from back to back relegations year before last. I think the squad has improved but hopefully they can make decent progress this season.

Liverpool Saints has a nice ring to it.

I haven't seen many Rovers fans who are excited about the purchase. I like his versatility at least. But I agree that he'll mainly have his own named parking spot on the bench. I'm pretty sure the purchase of Rhodes came with a bunch of add ons, etc. I haven't heard any major talks of interest for him outside of Norwich. I'm not as petrified of loosing him now since we got Gestede, though I still don't want to lose him.

Don't worry, I haven't forgotten. Think that's a bit of a waste. I don't think he'll start much unless forced due to injuries, but that means he'll get playing time at some point. He said he likes it more with Rovers because he thought the Leeds locker room atmosphere wasn't as friendly. I have no idea though. Know it's been troublesome, but he seemed to indicate the players weren't all that supportive of each other. What do you think of what he had to say there? The McCormack signing helps Rovers I think with Rhodes. We should be able to get our asking price if someone swoops.

Rovers looking to offload Leon Best and Ruben Rochina, Liverpool fans, if you want a crack at either of them. both of them looked great today in a preseason friendly against Telford United. Rovers extended Jordan Rhodes and Marcus Olsson and resigned David Dunn. Surprised about Olsson, he's been below average. Always thought we got him on the cheapish because we had his twin beforehand. He played ok in spurts last year, but he's never really gotten a lot of time. Rhodes resigning is fine by me. Should allow the club more leverage if a Premiership side comes a' callin'. Dunny doesn't have the legs anymore but he has flashes of brilliance still. Has a lot of heart, too. If he played more I think he would've been the go to for captaincy when Scott Dann left. But Grant Hanley's fine there I reckon. Also signed Alex Baptiste from Bolton. Seems like a decent enough signing on paper. Gives some coverage to the back line which was needed and he's experienced at the Championship level.

I hope Plymouth Argyle lands him.

Darke and Macca are awesome at calling matches. I miss their commentary as well. It's been good to hear them again.

Definitely. But is that the case with Southampton? I'm not sure.

To see them selling off so much shows me it's not about balancing their books. It happens from teams that aren't as financially strong. I'd agree that they're in to cash in now while they have the chance. Lower the wage bill and hope to stay in the Premiership and make even more money. I think that's dangerous, but maybe they think they can play yo yo between the leagues with the parachute payments seemingly continually going up?

Yeah, they also produced Theo Walcott, Alex Oxlaide-Chamberlain and Wayne Bridge along with Lallana and Shaw with a number of lesser but servicable players. I'm sure there are more. I think Alan Shearer got his start there, too. That still doesn't mitigate the heartbreak of having a home town lad sold off. Being a feeder team is a way of survival but it's depressing at times.

Southampton has a good academy.

What've they done in the past? I've heard that Northern Virginia is getting a team in the NASL. On the Rovers front they've released David "Cracking Shaft" Goodwillie. They've signed Chris Brown from Doncaster and Luke Varney to a permanent deal. Neither are all that inspired of signings to me. Varney didn't look that good last year on loan. Don't know much of anything of Brown, but he doesn't appear to be a potent striker. Guess we'll see.

Rovers have come to mutual agreement to part ways with DJ Campbell and Dickson Etuhu. Hooray!

Yeah, but I pretty much forgot everything about it. Only reason I watched it was because I have family there.

I would've liked this post, but I'm out of ammo.

Yup, I'm serious.

My goodness I'm such a nerd. First thing I noticed was that the white helmet looks like a Y-Wing pilot's helmet from the Battle of Endor...