I don't think the game is that easy, but I do think that if you manage a club in the top flight you are able to take risks and not have to worry about the clubs future like you would in real life. This allows you to bring in more players than you really would and also sell more players than you normally would. If you are finding the game to be very easy I suggest going to the lowest leagues in a place where you know no players (or turn on the name changing option).

Who are you talking to?

We shall see. If he gets the job I hope he does well, I just don't think he is the right man for the task.

I'm not saying I wish to see the clubs forced under, I'm saying I don't think this will change the state of the Italian game. I really couldn't care less who wins the Serie A title next year.

My problem with the Germans was more the calling for cards and applauding and patting the ref on the back when he gave them, not nice to see, give me a stamp over that any day (and I mean that).

Considering the way financing goes for most European clubs, yes. It spoils this season and probably next for them, but in the long run it won't do much.

Hm, rather pointless then.

I thought Milan were losing 44 points from this season and 15 from the next, as in they start on -44 this year. I've only really looked at it once though so I could easily be wrong.

You have to say you could still see them getting a play-off place, but I would suspect they'll fall just short of that and still stay up.

I think this is a big blow for the USA. I'm not a huge Arena fan but I thought he was good for the American game, Klinsman did well with Germany, during the World Cup, but I have my doubts whether he will be able to handle a less talented side (not that Germany had a huge amount of talent) not playing at home. Not at all the same task and I don't think he is the right man for the job.

shivni would be me and that is the only way I win...so let's keep it that way!

I think he has 14 (or around there), which is a very high number.

I just think there are certain ways to deal with things and that to ban players because he said something that got a reaction is not a way to get rid of it, not is it actually particularly fair given the fact that he may turn out to be the only player in history to ever recieve such a punishment. Zidane committed the great offense, but as things stand Materazzi will be punished more.

I have seen him lash out before, I have no idea whether what was said to him played any part in it as this is the first time we have been stupid enough to attempt to justify an idiotic and violent act. I have no doubt that 4/5 or more of violent fouls have to do with what has been said or some prior act.

Note to self: If you think Zidane hasn't given as much as he has taken on the football pitch then you are living with your eyes shut. Getting under someone's skin is part of sport, always will be. Some of it is funny, some of it is nasty, it will always be there.

How noble, maybe we should offer him a knighthood or something. I have a problem with the fact that there is any sympathy towards a player who does something as violent and unjustified as that on a football pitch. I personally have a huge problem with headbutts, I think they are disgusting, whether in street fights of anywhere else, so to see a player do something that low in a world cup final and to have anyone saying it was justified or that they can somewhat understand it I simply can't stand. L'Equipe is the only publication here in France not still praising the man, it is disgusting. We can't only punish them because someone reacts, it is part of sport and always will be, anyone who thinks they can change that is foolish. Add to that the fact that we will never know what he said. Materazzi has denied it and lip reading is far from fool proof, with varying interpretations of what has gone on. Sad that this violent act is being at all justified.

You think they could show us a real picture of it.

Why? As I said the only reason he is getting in trouble is because Zidane reacted, we don't even know what he said.

Not sure if this has been mentioned anywhere but Capello was approached Sounds as if he would have taken it as well, shame, I think he would have done a good job.

I don't. No way could he grow up where he did without hearing that sort of stuff and it always happens on the sports field. Must add that the player has denied it, so this is all conjecture. Nothing can make me understand what he did and I have to agree that most of this sympathy is because it is Zidane.

If he scores goals he'll make the squad. It was the wrong time for Bent given his style of play.

If he scores enough goals he'll make the squad, I don't think he will, but if he hits 15-20 goals next season he is in with a great chance.

wrong topic

Insults fly around on the football pitch, I'm sure Zidane, who is not the nicest man by all accounts, didn't keep his mouth shut for the entire game. You know it will happen, no matter where you play football people say things and I'm sure he has heard much worse things in his time. I do. If he is only human then why is he the first football I have ever seen do anything quite like that, especially in a world cup final? You don't think the others were insulted? The French team is virtually entirely black or arab, you think the only person who was insulted was Zidane? Also, how do you explain his previous offences. This isn't his first headbutt, the 98 world cup he was sent off after a nast stamp (on a saudi I believe so I'm sure he wasn't called a terrorist that time). The insult shouldn't be investigated. Is it only worth investigating because he reacted? You would have to be banning several players a game if we set these standards. Do you think players like Keane, Savage, Viera who live off of getting under the skin of their opposite number would ever get on the pitch? I hate to think how different all of this had been had the offender been English, I also hate to think where all this may well lead. This is getting to the extent where if I were Materazzi I would press charges for assault just to make a point of it. Zidane has shown himself to be a little man by not coming out and simply holding his hands up. There is no excuse, I don't care what was said. Think of sledging in cricket, do you think during the Ashes this winter (or summer depending on your location) that nothing nasty will be said. Welcome to the world of sport everybody, you can't escape the nasty verbals, if you can't stand it, don't play it.

Here in France only L'Equipe seems unsympathetic. Most headlines are along the lines of "we still love you", he is being turned into a martyr. Disgusting.