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Around about a month's time it will be my birthday and I'm thinking of picking up and new book for it. I saw Alan Carr's autobiography advertised yesterday and thought that that might be a good laugh. I like his humour on Friday/Sunday Night Project along with Justin Lee Collins so that could be heading my way early November. Would anyone recommend any good autobiographies that they have bought/read. Those are the kinda' books that I enjoy. So I would be interested to see which one's are the better of the pack.

300 Million! 300 Million! And how much are we up for sale for at the moment? Not in the region of Newcastle surely.

Nor will 99% of Everton fans. Everyone knows that it will be a right decision to move to a better stadium with or without Merseyside. I really don't know what all the fuss is about. I think KEIOC needs to give the board a break with all the mess that the club is currently in.

Q&A Interview with EA's Paul Hossack, From Gamespot EA Sports' long-running FIFA series is one of the last bastions for PC sports fans. Although the NHL and Madden series used to be PC stalwarts, they've fallen off the map, and for this season it doesn't look like an NBA Live entry is in the cards for EA Sports. Thankfully, if you're a PC owner with a soccer jones, FIFA 09 is still heading to a computer near you. To find out what's happening with this version of the game, we hit up EA Sports line producer Paul Hossack. GameSpot: Let's start with last year's game. What did you like about FIFA 08 and what needed to be improved? Paul Hossack: Gameplay changes and the introduction of the Be A Pro mode were the two most significant feature additions in FIFA 08. The gameplay changes that really stood out were depth of control and more-intelligent player movement. Be A Pro was a great game mode that let users live the experience of playing as one professional football player, and added a lot of fun social elements through the Co-Op Season tasks and player growth. For FIFA 09, we listened to feedback from FIFA 08 fans and improved the collision system, added better support-run logic from teammates, and better positional AI for the defensive line. The most substantial feedback we got on Be a Pro - Co-Op Season was to extend the mode beyond one season, and to include the third-person Be A Pro camera from the Xbox 360 and PS3 versions of FIFA 08. For FIFA 09 PC, we are happy to say we made both of those changes. GS: With FIFA 09, you set out to create a soccer game that plays to the strengths of the PC platform. What specifically about the PC platform did you take advantage of in making FIFA 09? EA Sports hasn't completely given up on PC sports gaming: FIFA 09 is on its way. PH: First, the mouse is a very powerful and accurate input device. Mouse-and-keyboard controls are a great combination in FPS and RTS games. It was those games that gave us the inspiration for the great new mouse controls we added to FIFA 09 PC. This is a feature that just made sense on the PC platform. We were even able to add a control that no other control system has on any FIFA game. With the mouse, you can click on an empty spot on the pitch to get one of your teammates to run to that spot when you are attacking. When you combine that with a quick manual pass to that same spot, you can create some amazing passing build-up play. The second PC-specific characteristic we leveraged is the fact that most PCs are online all the time. This let us invest in our online widgets, which show you relevant, real-time info about you, the FIFA community, and real-world football wherever you are in our menu systems, and they update automatically. Finally, as PCs tend to have nice, high-resolution monitors, we put a lot of effort into improving the graphics. The biggest jump is how the players and pitch look. It's a dramatic improvement over FIFA 08. In addition to these obvious improvements, we increased the sharpness and clarity of all our menus too. GS: Give us some insight on how the PC version of FIFA 09 has evolved alongside its console counterpart. What big features will it share with the 360/PS3 version and at what point in the dev cycle do you decide to split off and go your own way with PC-specific features? PH: FIFA 09 PC is a true PC football game, not simply a port of a console game. That said, both FIFA 09 PC and console do share some features and did work on some similar features. On both PC and console, we did a lot of work on the physicality of the game, the responsiveness of the dribble, and adding depth to the gameplay experience. In addition, you will find the new Adidas Live Season premium service available on PC, PS3, and 360. This is an exciting new service that dynamically updates player form from six leagues every single week based on how the players performed in real-world matches. Finally, you'll find very similar versions of the Be a Pro Seasons mode on those three platforms. The new mouse-plus-keyboard control system will give you a different way of controlling the action. GS: This year's game will use a point-and-click control scheme. Tell us about the development of that control system, and what it allows a player to do on the pitch. Also, can you play with a console controller if you like? PH: With "point and click" you are referring to the new mouse plus keyboard control scheme we have in FIFA 09 PC. We developed this idea by looking at other game genres that are successful on the PC. Two of the dominating PC genres are FPS and RTS games, which rely on a combination of the mouse and keyboard to control gameplay. We thought, why not put this into a PC sports game? The user simply moves his player with the keyboard and performs passing and shooting actions with the mouse. Passing and shooting are performed by pointing and clicking with the onscreen mouse pointer. The mouse pointer can be moved very quick and is very precise, therefore the user is able to pass and shoot quickly and precisely. Other advantages of this control scheme are the ability to send players on support runs to specific spots, and to make player switches by simply clicking on specific players. Regarding console controllers, we officially support the Xbox 360 controller and a long list of USB control pads. If I am not trying to master the new mouse-and-keyboard controls I am playing with the good old PS2 controller. prev next GS: Point-and-click seems like a limiting control scheme when it comes to re-creating the insane step-overs of Cristiano Ronaldo. How do you show off the strengths of your star players with such a simple control scheme? PH: The main goal for this control scheme was to make it more intuitive for PC users while not losing any functionality. This control scheme allows players to trigger all actions with a controller, and have additional control resources available in the mouse and keyboard. Regarding skill moves, we developed a way of mimicking foot movements by "drawing" tricks with your mouse pointer. The user can move into trick mode by clicking down the mouse wheel. This triggers a visual indicator that informs the user that the game has switched modes. In this mode, the user can simply move the mouse in the natural direction that a player's foot would move when performing a trick. For example, if you are facing to the left and want to perform a step-over to the right, you go into trick mode and move the mouse in a quarter circle from forward to right. Star players such as Cristiano Ronaldo have player-specific tricks that no other player in the game can perform. In addition, they have player-specific animations, like Cristiano's "Cowboy Stance" while preparing for a free kick, that make them unique. GS: What are widgets and what will they do for the FIFA 09 experience? How many widgets will we be able to choose from? PH: Widgets can be best described as a series of small applets running within the FIFA 09 PC menus that are constantly pulling the latest and most relevant information for the gamer. In FIFA 09 PC, we provide six widgets that the user can choose from (up to five shown at a time). The user can configure the placement by dragging and dropping them. The widgets stay as you transition from screen to screen. The widgets add a great sense of community as soon as you boot up the game. You can see how many gamers are online playing FIFA 09 right now, along with lots of other live stats. Here's a quick description of some of the widgets: - Online Profile: Want easy access to your online stats? Check out the Online Profile widget to view your latest online stats and ranking. - Online Community: Check out how many people are connected or playing online matches with the Online Community widget. You can also compare your online stats to other FIFA 09 PC online gamers. - Favourite Club: The Favourite Club widget will keep you connected to your favourite team while you play FIFA 09. View upcoming match information, results of the last match, and league tables with this widget. You can even read the latest team news right in your FIFA 09. - Adidas Live Season: This widget displays information related to the Adidas Live Season service. You will be notified whenever a new form file is available. Once downloaded, you can dive into the details of what has changed in your game: who are the hottest/coldest players, what teams have been most impacted by positive form changes, and how your favourite club has been impacted (if it's one of the six leagues supported in Live Season). GS: EA Sports used to make lots of PC games but, in recent years, that productivity has dropped off, seemingly due to a lack of interest. Yet FIFA keeps plugging away on the PC. What do you think makes the series attractive to PC-specific gamers? PH: FIFA on the PC is different than other sports games namely because PC gaming is hugely influential to gaming culture outside of North America, where FIFA has a very healthy fan base. The immense popularity of football and FIFA around the world, combined with large numbers of PC gamers outside of North America, makes FIFA a natural choice to continue making specifically for the PC. We focused a lot of attention on improving the PC version of FIFA 09 this year because we wanted to satisfy our large PC fan base with a true PC football game. GS: Traditionally the PC has been the platform of choice for management sims like FIFA Manager. Have you incorporated more simulation features into the manager mode of FIFA 09 on the PC? PH: For FIFA 09 PC, we have refined the friendly-match negotiation process to make it more realistic and informative for the user. We have also addressed several key issues in the Manager Mode to help enhance the user experience while navigating through a very in-depth management-sim experience. GS: What kind of online features will we find in FIFA 09? Will players be able to play 10-vs-10 as in the console games? PH: Online gaming through the EA servers in FIFA 09 PC will be 1 v 1 gaming. Interactive League matches will be available to gamers (now with the Rivals match-up feature that helps you find more opponents), as well as creating online leagues and lobbies. FIFA 09 PC will support the new Adidas Live Season that is described in more detail above. Finally, FIFA 09 PC supports direct IP matches and multiplayer LAN games, which allows up to eight players to LAN. GS: Thanks for your time.

What difficulty are you playing on and who against? 7-1 tells me Beginner & Amatuer.

Some goals already on YouTube from FIFA 09 - Post any more that you find people Yakubu http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=h6_bbqJ-TE4 Riera against Everton - I know it's against us and for Liverpool but excellent over-head kick. http://www.easportsworld.com/en_US/video/915091 Cahill http://www.easportsworld.com/en_US/video/906272

A large two engined train was crossing America. After they had gone some distance one of the engines broke down. "No problem," the engineer thought, and carried on at half power. Farther on down the line, the other engine broke down, and the train came to a standstill. The engineer decided he should inform the passengers about why the train had stopped, and made the following announcement: "Ladies and gentlemen, I have some good news and some bad news. The bad news is that both engines have failed, and we will be stuck here for some time. The good news is that you decided to take the train and not fly."

The Pope met with the College of Cardinals to discuss a proposal from Shimon Peres, the former leader of Israel. "Your holiness," said one of the Cardinals, "Mr. Peres wants to determine whether Jews or Catholics are superior, by challenging you to a golf match." The Pope was greatly disturbed, as he had never held a golf club in his life. "Not to worry," said the Cardinal, "we'll call America and talk to Jack Nicklaus. We'll make him a Cardinal, he can play Shimon Peres... We can't lose!" Everyone agreed it was a good idea. The call was made and, of course, Jack was honored and agreed to play. The day after the match, Nicklaus reported to the Vatican to inform the Pope of his success in the match. "I came in second, your Holiness," said Nicklaus. "Second?!!" exclaimed the surprised Pope. "You came in second to Shimon Peres?!!" "No," said Nicklaus, "second to Rabbi Woods."

Sorry to rumble the thread but yeah Watership Down is a great book. I read it when I was 8 and have read it about two or three times now. Excellent description in-volved. I enjoyed it especially because our school SATS at one time were questions based around Watership Down. I'm looking for something to read other than Kerrang! and OXM Magazine's so I might pick it up again. Has anyone read A Series Of Unfortunate Events?

What happened last time - Interesting Read.. Everton clinched fifth place and UEFA Cup qualification as Ayegbeni Yakubu netted a brace in their 3-1 win over Newcastle at Goodison Park. The £11million that boss David Moyes paid for Yakubu has clearly paid off, with Everton back into Europe for the third time in four seasons. He took his tally for the campaign to 21, and became the first Everton player to top 20 since Peter Beardsley 16 years ago. Yakubu's first was a powerful header, and his second a late penalty. In between Joleon Lescott had settled Everton's nerves by putting them ahead again after a Michael Owen penalty had taken Newcastle level just seconds into the second-half. At one stage Aston Villa - struggling to overtake Everton - were leading at West Ham, but that game ended 2-2 and Everton were already home and dry having held fifth place since the new year. Everton were without injured pair Tony Hibbert and Andrew Johnson for this final game of the season, with player of the year Lescott passed fit but knowing he will need treatment on a knee problem during the summer. Everton brought in Victor Anichebe up front while Newcastle were missing Geremi, Joey Barton, Mark Viduka and Obafemi Martins from the side that lost at home to Chelsea on Monday. Damien Duff, Alan Smith, Charles N'Zogbia and Andrew Carroll came into the Geordies' line-up. Sun-drenched Goodison Park was packed and with a tremendous atmosphere. This was due in no small measure to the constant chanting from the Newcastle hordes, much of which was in support of Kevin Keegan. It was 20 year-old Carroll - making his full league début - who had the first shot, an effort on the turn that forced Tim Howard into a save to his right. Manuel Fernandes fired over from 20 yards for Everton, while Yakubu saw a low drive just miss the far post, with Anichebe just inches away from a connection. Referee Peter Walton had been lenient over a few tackles and some blatant holding but booked Damien Duff for pulling back Fernandes. Fernandes got up to take the free-kick himself, and lifted it into the box for Yakubu to power a header past Steve Harper, his 20th of the season, after 28 minutes. Newcastle's response was a 25-yard free-kick from N'Zogbia that dipped a foot over Howard's bar, but they were penned back from then on. Yakubu had the ball in the net again with a close-range header, set-up by Lescott's nod back into the six-yard box. But Lescott was judged marginally offside and the effort was ruled out. Harper punched away from Fernandes and Leon Osman curled a 20-yarder just wide as Everton sought to make the most of possession and territorial advantage. Then Harper managed to save a Yakubu effort at full stretch, before fumbling the ball behind as he lay on the pitch. The barrage continued when Anichebe saw a powerful header fly just over before Harper saved well from an Osman drive. Newcastle were hanging on now for the break and only a Harper kick away from Steven Pienaar avoided more trouble. Newcastle replaced the injured Abdoulaye Faye with Claudio Cacapa at the break, and they were level within 30 seconds of the restart. Joseph Yobo, caught off balance by a swerving run by N'Zogbia, sent the Newcastle forward flying in the box, and referee Walton pointed to the spot. Up stepped Michael Owen to fire home the penalty, to become the first visiting player to score in four successive appearance at Goodison Park since Tom Finney in the 1950s. Three of those have been for Liverpool, and now it was the former Anfield star who was threatening Everton's path into Europe. Storm clouds were now enveloping, with accompanying thunder and lightning, as Harper superbly tipped over a swerving Fernandes free-kick. The atmosphere was very different now. Alan Smith was booked for a foul on Pienaar after 65 minutes, Everton now having nothing like the grip on the game they had in the first-half. Anichebe broke away and fired across goal, Yakubu not being close enough to turn it home. But Everton were ahead again after 70 minutes when Fernandes' chip into the box was flicked on by Steven Taylor, and there was Lescott to role the ball into the far corner. Harper had to save at Anichebe's feet before Everton got their third. Osman's run into the box after 82 minutes was met with Taylor's challenge, taking man and not ball and referee Walton evened up the spot-kicks with one for Yakubu to drill home. Everton sent on Leighton Baines and Thomas Gravesen with six minutes left for Yobo and Anichebe. Gravesen, whose loan will not be renewed, got a tremendous reception from fans on his last appearance for the club. Lee Carsley was next to make way - for teenager Jack Rodwell - to another ovation for a player who may not sign another contract at the club. Peter Ramage replaced Taylor for Newcastle. By now Everton fans were in party mood, the position secured and European football back at Goodison again next term.

Have a good time mate, hopefully we'll have kick-started our season when you return.

OK. I suppose that your right - we need to build on a solid team in order to give a solid performance. He'll probably keep Hibbert at RB, again because he's one of his favourites (dunno why) and we'll probably give a result something similar to that of Standard Liege. We need something to get us going, get us motivated. I mean bar the likes of Neville & Jagielka none of the players seem bothered about the predicament that were in.

Will Beating Accrington Stanley in the FA Cup Kick-Start Our Season <_<

SHUT UP THE TWO OF YOU!

In that case back to the usual? Keep Saha and Yakubu up front, stick with our midfield and back four and hope for the best? It's starting to look like trouble when your worrying against teams like Newcastle United.

Forgot Cahill was suspended. I thought of maybe using five in the midfield to cut down on wave after wave of attacks whilst at the same time having good firepower going foreward. Kissock's looked good in training and with the spirit that Baxter came on with hopefully he can do something for us. Maybe bring some Acadamy spirit into things. What have we to lose? Season's over and it's only October. And here's the stuff, Orange Peel mixed with Salami, sniff it.

Team to face Newcastle. GK - Howard RB - Neville © CB - Lescott CB - Jagielka LB - Valente RM - Arteta CM - Kissock CM - Cahill CM - Osman LM - Pienaar CF - Saha SB - Nash SB - Baines SB - Fellaini SB - Castillo SB - Rodwll SB - Yakubu SB - Baxter

Just pre-ordered the game from Argos this morning. Will be in the shop at 9AM onwards. In our town we have a small shop meaning we have to pre-order everything but at least it comes before Newcastle! Can't wait to get my hands on it, it does sound like a load of fun and it should kill PES after Konami's poor efforts this time round. FIFA FTW!

Good Yobo Jagielka Castillo Cahill Neville(*) Pienaar Osman Rodwell Saha Yakubu (Not of late, but great start) Baxter Vaughan Bad Howard Hibbert Baines Arteta Fellaini Anichebe N/A Van der Meyde Wallace Kissock Turner Ruddy Nash Nuno Jacobsen Agard

Agree 100% mate. Arteta has been terrible this season. Did great against Blackburn but since then has done absoultely nothing. He seems to be shouting at his team-mates a lot when he needs to look at himself before critisising others.

We beat Zenit last season! And they only just lost to Real Madrid 2-1 and won the cup! If we had played like we did last year I do believe that we could have given AC Milan & Barca a real run for thier money - this year I think the likes of Hereford would relish playing us. No it's not. That is the standard of Everton ATM.

Dont think that Phil Neville or Phil Jagielka deserve to be in that poll - they have been excellent for us this season. I do believe that Lescott has been a liability at the back this season, closely followed by Howard. I'm even coming to the thought now that we should stick Carlo in against Newcastle. I mean, Howard made a great save against Liege before the goal but he's letting too many goals slip from his gloves. We need to make Goodison a fortress again and the defence is the reason we can't.

Who's Moyes' replacement? Sam Allerdyce is currently managing no-one would he be looking to take us over? I don't want Moyes to leave but if his heart and soul isn't in the team then he should leave now. I think that his contract being up in the air is one of the factors to us getting a bad start to the season. We need to sort ourselves out fast with or without Moyes leading us. Kenwright needs to sell soon too as he has a lot to answer for in this.

Time to look for a new manager methinks....

Liege penalty. What's annoying is it wasn't a penalty. Two defenders were around the player but Jagleika (I think it was) didn't foul him at all. A clean tackle and one which did not in any way deseve a penalty. All Jovanovic has to do now is score from 12 yards to send us back home in a nightmare. It's gone in, feel sorry for Howard. He went the right way and managed to get a firm hand onto it. Just a pity he hit it with the side of his palm and directed it into his own net. We now sit looking at the exit door of Europe following Jocanovic's penalty goal. I suppose we can kiss goodbye to any success this season. Gutted.