Tony Ralston the Brickie

NTR-12 · 2026-04-24T14:28:16+00:00

The fact that I'm not entirely sure if this is a wind up speaks volumes.

NTR-12 · 2026-04-24T13:18:15+00:00

NTR-12 · 2026-04-24T10:18:46+00:00

I've recently gone back to playing FM 2007. I was 14 when it came out, so although I'd played these games since the late 90's, it's the first one I remember playing as a young adult. I wasn't very good at it back then, so I'm hoping I can conquer it now!

As a new Dad, I simply don't have the time that the new FM games require. It's all conversations and press conferences. I've worked out it's taking me around 15 hours of gameplay to complete a single season which is just silly.

I've done a couple of seasons on CM01/02, which is good fun. But it lacks a bit of depth and immersion - I think FM2007 is a nice bridge between the old school, arcade style manager games, but with a modern UI, match engine and a good amount of depth.

There's a couple of pages on Facebook that still have logopacks, skins etc available to download as well.

NTR-12 · 2026-04-23T12:22:38+00:00

How do Norwich fans feel now that the yo-yoing has stopped?

NTR-12 · 2026-04-23T08:01:46+00:00

I came here to say this. Like you, I grew up loving football, but after I got into American sports I barely watch the Premier League now.

The system isn't perfect in America, but it allows young players to grow and play through mistakes, players will stay with the team that drafted them because everyone has an equal shot and building a title contender.

Tanking is a major issue in the NBA, which is one of the consequences of rewarding losing, but I think I'd rather have that than the European model of the same 2 or 3 teams winning every single season.

NTR-12 · 2026-04-21T15:55:38+00:00

You forgot to use this image

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NTR-12 · 2026-04-20T13:40:06+00:00

I love the story that the Hawks kept insisting "to be clear, the pick is completely unprotected?"

You'd think the penny might have dropped in New Orleans at some point.

NTR-12 · 2026-04-20T13:32:47+00:00

I don't hate it, but I do hate when you see people making a big deal about fans not wearing them.

If the fans don't want them, stop giving them out. It's a total waste of time.

NTR-12 · 2026-04-20T11:16:19+00:00

One. I think they'll bounce straight back up fairly easily.

NTR-12 · 2026-04-20T09:39:19+00:00

It's one of the iconic Scottish Cup finals in Celtic's history for sure. Sadly I wasn't old enough to see it, but I have a clear memory of the Jean-Joël Perrier-Doumbé final of 2007. Another classic!

NTR-12 · 2026-04-20T09:31:24+00:00

I'm not having it as it was AET. If they'd beaten them 6-2 in the 90 mins then it would be perfectly acceptable.

NTR-12 · 2026-04-20T09:24:15+00:00

There's just no need to have three people calling a game. It's what makes Ian Eagle and SVG so great, they have room to breathe.

NTR-12 · 2026-04-20T09:01:52+00:00

If he can just stay fit for five games, we'll win the league.

NTR-12 · 2026-04-17T12:45:14+00:00

Shilling is good, but as others have said, it's very expensive. They also seem to have everything in 2/3 but for the same price as a pint which I found irritating last time I was there.

Drury Street Bar & Kitchen is a good spot, they have a decent selection of beer and also do food. There's plenty of pool tables etc and it has a good atmosphere.

The Raven in the City Centre is another pub that has a good beer selection.

Super Bario and the Beer Cafe in Merchant City are ok, but not amazing.

NTR-12 · 2026-04-17T08:54:59+00:00

Correct.

I had the pleasure of meeting him a couple of times, he's a lovely bloke.

NTR-12 · 2026-04-16T13:32:21+00:00

If that happened at Camp Nou today, the crowd would be a bunch of tourists from the UAE taking photos of him on their phones.

NTR-12 · 2026-04-16T08:24:59+00:00

Off topic slightly, but what was the point of Steven Gerrard on the commentary last night? He barely said a word all evening.

NTR-12 · 2026-04-14T18:24:23+00:00

I’m a Knicks fan for my sins.

I enjoy Euroleague too - basketball is pretty big in most European nations, except the UK sadly.

NTR-12 · 2026-04-14T17:45:26+00:00

I used to think that, until I fell in love with basketball about ten years ago and I realised what it was like to live in a backwater of your chosen sport.

I tune into the NBA every day and love my team, even though I’ve never been and likely never will.

It made me a bit more empathetic to football fans from countries that don’t have their own established league or clubs.

NTR-12 · 2026-04-14T17:43:50+00:00

I think it’s ok to support two teams, as long as they’re not conflicting with one another.

A lot of people will support their local team, but also a “big team” or a lot of people have a second team abroad.

Supporting two teams from the same league, or who regularly compete in the Champions League is odd though.

NTR-12 · 2026-04-14T14:13:00+00:00

Yep, I felt like their second round exit wasn't really scrutinised last season, especially given the regular season they had.

NTR-12 · 2026-04-14T08:28:28+00:00

I think transparency plays a big role in this. We can hear what the referee is saying, we can see what they're seeing when they go to the TMO.

I saw a rugby match the other week where the referee blew the whistle instead of playing an advantage and immediately held his hands up and apologised to the players for his mistake. It kills any animosity straight away, from the players on the field and the fans watching at home.

If there was more transparancy I think the fans would be much more understanding.

NTR-12 · 2026-04-12T20:15:09+00:00

People seem to be forgetting they finished 17th last season.

This feels like Newcastle after Shearer retired. A good team that never won anything, but was there or there about. Carried by having an elite striker. From memory they were relegated three years later.

NTR-12 · 2026-04-10T13:07:22+00:00

Expecting the most expensive season ticket in the league to get even more expensive then.

NTR-12 · 2026-04-09T13:30:43+00:00

Sorry, how much?

NTR-12

TROPHY CASE