Aftershave of the Week - Valentino 'Uomo'

With this week's instalment, we bring to you a scent that could well be truly special. Italian fashion designer Valentino Garavani has teamed up with perfumer Olivier Polge, to bring you 'Uomo' and they are hoping it will be considered an instant classic. The bottle itself looks the part, immediately grabbing your attention, but what about the fragrance? Is it all style and no substance? Quite simply...no. It's a woody fragrance, almost spicy, with hints of chocolate and coffee intertwined. It's not overpoweringly sweet like many fragrances on the market at the moment, leaving you standing out from the crowd. We here at 50 Words On, absolutely love it.

 

How To Score From Corners in Football Manager 2014

Corners can be a superb source of goals for your FM14 team and taking the time to set them up right can be a huge advantage over your opponent. Corners are so easily wasted and with the wrong set up, you risk being caught on the break and conceding from your own corner; surely a source of deep shame for any committed FM connoisseur.

Let's take a look at some basic organisation using my Sheffield Wednesday team as an example. I have made some signings so this purely my starting line up but the principles are the same for any team and we will explain why each player is where he is.

Sheffield Wednesday are in fact an ideal example as they have some an impressively physical team with some players very capable of producing good headers.

1)  Initial set-up

Here we have the basic takers of my set pieces. The abilities aren't amazing for these guys so being smart with the organisation is all the more important. We've got Rhys Macabe and Miguel Llera on corner duty. Now we love in-swinging corners, they cause chaos in defenses and put the pressure on the Goalkeeper to come and claim the ball. With a decent corner taker it is usually effective. Both left and right corners are set to 'Aim at Near Post'.

2) The right players in the right places.

This is my standard corner taking set up and is demonstrated above. This corner is being taken from the left side of the pitch by Rhys Macabe. The two best headers of the ball, Miguel Llera and Atdhe Nuhiu are at the near post where the ball will be played. Nuhiu is set to 'Attack Near Post' whilst Llera is set to 'Near Post Flick On'. Reda Johnson is set to 'Stand on Far Post' Whilst Kamil Zayatte is set to 'Attack Far Post'. These are the four guys you hope will be involved in the initial phase of the corner.

The ideal corner would see Nuhiu rising above his marker and heading the ball in. If the ball is less accurate, Llera is told to flick the ball on towards Zayatte who is attacking the far post. Johnson is standing on the far post and provides further physical presence, hopefully drawing another tall marker to him, allowing Zayatte to head the ball towards goal.

I will usually and have here, left two quick players back in defence. Opponents will often tell quick, smaller players to stay forward whilst they are defending a corner, you must be aware to this and make sure you have adequate cover should the corner not be successful.

In addition, Nahki Wells is set to 'Lurk Outside the Area'. You want a quick player in this position, capable of picking the ball up and creating something. Wells is a good choice. Liam Palmer is set to the standard, 'Go Forward' Whilst Jose Semedo is set to 'Attack Ball From Deep'. Semedo would seek to attack either a clearance, or a flick on from Llera which loops in the air or fails to reach Zayette.

We've found this to be a very useful set up for corners. Training will also be crucial and make sure the team is getting adequate coaching in this area and focusing on attacking set pieces at least once a week.







 

Shoe of the Day - Hotter Prefect, Tan

Hotter pride themselves on complete comfort in their footwear and there is certainly a place for a smart, comfortable tan loafer in any man's rotation. The Prefect is also easily smart enough to warrant a purchase on design alone; a worthy purchase. I like the simple, classic polished tan colour here and the unobtrusive stitching. Available from hotter.com and priced at a superb £79. A must buy for long days.

Shoe of the Day - The Barker Norton

A fetching brogue cut in the classic Oxford style, this number will look good around the office doubled with a dark 2 piece. Available for £185 from the fantastic Edwards of Machester website. Equipped with the handy feature of 360° photos, you can see every detail of your striking new steppers.

http://www.edwardsofmanchester.co.uk/barker-norton-cedar.html

Three Great British Ties

The tie is often something I notice first, it's a advert for the rest of the outfit. A good tie is a statement of intent, a demonstration of style and sophistication and is as important as good shoes; get the tie right. Luckily in the UK we are spoiled with excellent designers, here are three of the best.

1) The Naughty Cooper - montybrown.co.uk - £75

Handmade in the UK the entire selection on montybrown.co.uk is well worth a look. A corduroy tie, this is an excellent example of how texture can be as important as shape and colour. I love the contrast in the solid colour and the print. Would do very nicely with a crisp white shirt.

                                       

2) Textured Weave Plain Design Blue Silk - franktheakroskilly.co.uk - £45

Frank Theak & Roskilly Ltd. give us a superb textured silk tie in an intriguing dark blue. Again texture is important to this must own classic but the colour and material are what makes this a pick. The colour would do well with a lighter blue shirt plain shirt, giving the texture of the tie the opportunity to stand out. 

3) Davenport Flower Woven Tie - thomaspink.co.uk - £69

My first smart shirt and tie combination was bought at Thomas Pink in Jermyn Street, London and the quality and design have only improved since then. The Davenport Floral Tie is a superb choice for a contemporary statement piece whilst retaining the timeless shape and quality you would expect from Thomas Pink. 

Shoe of the Day - Jeffery - West's Marriot Cricket Chelsea Boot, Black

Championed by musicians, artists and extremely cool chaps, British firm Jeffery - West is renowned for its intricate style, superb craftsmanship and edgy shake ups of classic British designs. In addition they list Harry Flashman in their 'Heroes' section of their website which is reason enough for me to love this firm. These excellent Chelsea boots are shaped and cut as good as I've seen. I like the design, it could have been plain black and would have been good; Jefferey - West's punched design though makes these great. Available at jefferey-west.co.uk and currently on sale at £199.

50 Words On.... Why Ghosts Don't Exist

As humans we base our lives on evidence. Every day. There is no credible evidence for ghosts. Fuzzy photographs, chills, cold spots, photographic orbs, voices, electromagnetic fields (possibly the most bizarre and widely used form of 'evidence'; there are electromagnetic fields everywhere) doors banging etc. are not caused by the spirits of dead people. Individual experience is by far the weakest form of evidence, if you believe in ghosts you are clearly more likely to attribute odd occurrences to something spooky rather than something mundane.

The method of thinking for 'believers' seems to be; a human dies....?..... a spirit roams the Earth. This needs to be addressed. How and why? If this crucial element can't be reasonably answered then there is no point in trying to 'detect' them.

The 'Brown Lady of Reynham Hall' Taken in 1936. Trick of the light? Fabricated? Either. Just not a ghost.

Ultimately, our brains, our physical brains contain all of us. If we are anything at all, it is our memories, personality, intelligence, our evil, our good. There is nothing at all to suggest that these properties continue to affect our surroundings when we die and our brains cease to operate. That alone is evident enough to me to disregard all the grainy images, moving curtains and bangs in the night.

Disagree? Let us know and we'll carefully explain why you're utterly mistaken.

Shoe of the Day - Clarks Farli Walk, Red

Clarks makes the Shoe of the Day twice in four days with these relaxed red leather lace ups. Red shoes are a tricky business; however, looking forward to Spring I think these would be a solid choice for some casual style. There's some good colour combinations here, I like the white laces, I like the shade of red. I would wear these with some good dark blue chinos although denim and tweed would work too. A worthwhile addition to your rotation of shoes and makes a great alternative to black, brown or dark grey. Available at clarks.co.uk and priced at £59.99

50 Words On....Travel Nation

Had enough of the wet and windy weather here in Britain? Well why not book yourself a trip of a lifetime and give yourself something to look forward to. Travel Nation are here to help you, they specialise in putting together affordable, bespoke itineraries and easily deal with the most complex of requests. Just tell them when and where you want to go and they will provide you a quote for flights, accommodation and transfers. Having used them myself, I can confirm that their prices are very competitive and their customer service is second to none. So why not put together a tailor made holiday yourself and get that holiday buzz!

 

You can call them on 01273 320580 or check out their website at www.travelnation.co.uk

 

And just to get you all jealous, here's a clue as to one of the stops on my recently booked holiday:

 

Shoe of the Day - M&S Best of British Modern Lace Up Shoes

Marks and Spencer's Best of British gives a superb demonstration of the high street retailer's ability to pick great, relevant design. It would be fairly easy for a company of Marks and Spencer's size to produce cheap, soulless copies of  Britain's best; not so with these. These shoes have genuine style. The entire range is full of Savile Row class and with an affordability that makes them extremely attractive. The prominent design on these lace ups make them stand out against the smooth, rich colour and would be well suited with denim or a nicely cut black suit. Available at marksandspencer.com
priced at £235.

50 Words On....Matt Corby

Musical talent is flowing out of Australia at the moment, there must be something in the water. Whatever it is, it would appear that Matt Corby has been downing pints of the stuff. At aged 16, Corby finished runner up on Australian idol, but he is far, far from a manufactured pop star. His voice and range are quite simply, astonishing, with many making the comparison to Jeff Buckley. Whilst he has a way to go before he can be put in that same league musically, he is certainly heading in the right direction. Covering many genres from folk, rock, blues and funk, there's something there for everyone. Expect big things to come from Matt Corby.

Check him out today:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B196K_YprLw

This is a live performance of 'Runaway' from The Resolution Tour EP, if that doesn't send a shiver down your spine, I don't know what will.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pbsqHiaJjyc

Souls A'fire from his EP 'Into the Flame'. A more bluesy number from the Australian this time, but you will be hitting that repeat button all day.

Shoe of the Day - Chatham Marine Kensington Chelsea Boot, Red Brown

British firm Chatham Marine pride themselves on durability in the outdoors and what is achieved quite beautifully in this shoe is that combination of toughness and style. I would be happy to pair these with smart jeans and would be just as comfortable pulling them on for a walk on a Sunday afternoon. The boot is also available up to size 15 for a small surcharge. In addition to these qualities is excellent value for money, priced at just £69.00. Available at chatham-marine.co.uk and also available in black.

Three Great British Socks

The humble sock is as important to an outfit as good underwear; good socks give assurance. Comfort is crucial of course, as is the design, colour and length. There are some great British companies producing great socks out there, these are our top three picks.

1) The Wye - The Eagle Sock Company. I really like this Derbyshire - based company and their terrific brand of good socks. This fairly simple,classic polka dot sock comes in a variety of colours. I chose this one as I like the brightness and contrast of colour. Available at eaglesock.co.uk and priced at an amazing £9.00 .

2) HJ48 Colour Fashion Sock - HJ Hall. 'Sock makers since 1882' proudly adorns HJ Hall's website and they are clearly still bang on the money when it comes to producing British socks. This block colour statement sock would be a great addition to any wardrobe. HJ Hall also gives you the choice of a load of different colours, I like the sky blue. Available at HJ.co.uk and priced at just £3.99. Get a different colour for each day of the week.

3) 80- 4002 Pure Cotton Socks - Corgi Hosiery. Another staple of the British sock industry, Corgi has been producing fine socks and knitwear since 1892. These socks are made with 100% Egyptian cotton guaranteeing comfort. The design is superb, the choice of colour excellent. A lightweight and stylish sock. Available at corgihosiery.co.uk and priced at a very reasonable £16.00

Shoe of the Day - Clarks Desert Boot

Desert boots are a staple casual shoe in men's fashion these days, but today we bring you the originators of this wonderful boot. Clarks originally launched this line way back in 1949, becoming a hit with off duty officers of the time. Priced at a reasonable £79.00, with a rich brown tone and Clarks signature crepe sole, it's time to throw away those imitators and buy the real deal.

 

Order yours today. As it is a narrow fitting shoe, Clarks advise to order half a size up for comfort.

 

http://www.clarks.co.uk/p/00111442

 

 

Shoe of the Day - Wildsmith's Sloane Oxford

Another essential on the shoe rack today as we've gone for Wildsmith's Sloane Oxford. This lace up, toe capped necessity would be perfect to smart up some well cut jeans or would look just as accomplished in the office with a good suit; I love a versatile shoe. Fine, elementary stitching keeps the design uncomplicated with clear cut lines that take nothing away from the quality leather and superb shape. Available from wildsmith.com and priced at £295.

Aftershave of the week

A new feature to the blog this week. We have done our best to get you to look good so far at 50WordsOn, now we just need to sort out that smell...

 

Today we are looking at a classic fragrance, which has recently been given a 2014 makeover. Dolce & Gabbana's 'The One' was originally released in 2008 and was an instant hit, it has been an ever present, 'go to' aftershave for many a man. This 2014 reboot is the perfect smell for this time of year, it's woody, oriental notes scream winter. In contrast, D&G have added in lighter notes of grapefruit, coriander and basil, perfect for the man who respects the winter elements, but knows spring is just around the corner.

 

Not only does 'The One 2014' smell good, you will barely be able to take your eyes off the bottle with it's beautifully simplistic design. Gentleman, just take a look for yourselves.

Working Wardrobe Essentials this week

Founded in 1830 and situated on Oxford St almost as long, the thoroughly British outfit, James Smith & Sons makes world famous quality umbrellas. Our favourite is the dark cherry from the solid wood collection. Constructed from a single piece of wood for durability, finished with a silver lap band for style. Available with a no nosense black or green canopy, order yours now, £345 at 

http://www.james-smith.co.uk/products/Solid-Umbrellas-with-Silver

Wet and wild is the theme at present and only a fool would be seen sporting their new suede loafers strolling into the office, unless of course they had picked up a miracle in a can, Dasco waterproof protector. Completely invisible and effective on everything from your hat to your brogues, we have only one question, why isn't everything waterproof when bought??? 

Buy now, £6.99
http://www.stuartslondon.com/accessories-c50/shoe-care-c97/dasco-waterproofer-invisible-protector-p4899

Hugo Boss Timy Black/Silver Tie Pin, a sleek and well made tie pin. A brass frame with a black enamel inset, this will look the part with absolutely anything you throw at it. Stylish not garish, this will add a dapper spark to your favourite suit. Available at just £59, snap it up at Thackerays

http://www.thackerays.co.uk/designer-menswear/items/boss-black-timy-black-silver-tie-pin-56201?selectsize=49755&utm_source=google&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=froogle&gclid=CMTC--7A0LwCFUnjwgodxgUA_g

Shoe of the Day - Hudson Vale, Black

A more relaxed Shoe of the Day for Sunday guys; the Hudson Vale sneaker in black. More relaxed however does not mean less style and these are a perfect example. I love the simplicity and nonchalance of the design; an effortless demonstration of secure British composition. Pair these great sneakers with dressed down chinos. A solid investment for when the sun finally comes out. Available at hudsonshoes.com and priced at a very reasonable £100.

Shoe of the day - Oliver Sweeney, Hasketon Blue Suede Brogue

Founded in 1989, Oliver Sweeney is still one of the new kids on the block in the shoe game. Today we bring you a shoe so cool, Elvis Presley just had to right a song about it. This blue suede brogue is trendy enough for a night out on the town, or a leisurely Sunday morning stroll (just don't get them wet!). We here at 50Words, simply can't get enough of them.

 

Available from Oliver Sweeney, £229.00

 

http://www.oliversweeney.com/shoes-and-boots/formal-shoes/info/hasketon-blue-suede-brogue/hakesdblu.html

 

 

Top Five More Football Manager 2014 Cheap Gems

Another top five list of cheap gems on Football Manager 2014. If you're battling relegation on a budget or trying to awaken a League One sleeping giant, these guys will be sure to help you out.

1) Luke Freeman - Stevenage. The former Arsenal man is in the last year of his contract at the start of the game and this works brilliantly to your advantage. He's a speedy left footed, left winger but is also adept at playing up front. His finishing isn't great but he has excellent dribbling and is full of flair.  At just 21 he's well worth the £200k or thereabouts it will cost to secure his services.

2) Rabiu Ibrahim - Kilmarnock. With PSV, Sporting Lisbon and Celtic in his CV you know that this guy has some quality. Great technique, dribbling and technique make this central attacking midfielder an attractive target. Also young at 22 with good coaches he can develop in to the player those top European clubs saw in him. Valued at just £100k, I've seen him go for as little as £50k. Snap him up and make him an attacking play-maker.

3) Giles Barnes - Houston Dynamo. Formally of Derby County Barnes was once a potential wonder kid on FM's gone by. Transfer listed at the start of the game with an asking price of just £80k, he's still capable of performing well in the Championship. The speedy right winger can play as a conventional winger, or behind the striker. Barnes has good determination and the pace to beat lower league left backs. Remarkably he's just 24 at the start of the game.

4)  Albert Crusat - Free Transfer. Crusat cost Wigan £1million last season and he certainly has the stats to back up that kind of price tag. As a left sided winger, Crusat has the pace and the movement off the ball to be a constant threat to defenses. Aged 31, you may not see him as a long term option but would be a good addition to a squad chasing promotion to the Premier League.

5) Liam Boyce - Cliftonville. This 22 year old left footed striker scores goals for fun in Northern Ireland's Premier League and is worth taking a chance on. He's valued at around £75k at the start of the game and would be worth every penny having already got four caps for Northern Ireland under his belt. He's very strong and determined and would be a good target man or advanced forward for a lower league team with ambitions of promotion as he is sure to improve with good coaching and confidence.

50 Words On.... Great Moments in Gaming - John Marston's Ride to Mexico

Rockstar's masterpiece Read Dead Redemption features one of the most sensational sections in gaming history. As you leave Irish, heading for Mexico to continue your quest, without introduction or ceremony, José González begins to sing 'So Far Away'. It's understated, poignant and movingly relevant. During the section you are in control this is not a cut scene, you are part of it. The tone of the music matches the atmosphere and setting perfectly, combining to form an interactive, cinematic experience. Stunning. 

Shoe of the Day - Grenson Ellery, Grey

We've mentioned how the monk buckle is bang on contemporary swank at the moment and Grenson's have nailed it with this double buckled pair. I love the subtle dark brown rim which complements the shine of the shoe perfectly. Smart shoes which will keep you ahead of the curve whilst retaining British class. grenson.co.uk, priced at £185.00. 

50 words on....Savile Rogue

This British firm produce retro, stylish football scarves that look good not just on match day, but any occasion. You won't find any club names or badges here, the look is simple yet classic. A far cry from the nylon scarves in the club shop, these are made from cashmere wool. Available for just about any team you can think of, check out their site and order one today:

 

    http://www.savile-rogue.com/

 

 

  



Shoe of the Day - Aigle Parcours 2 Wellingtons

The world and his uncle has slopped around in the mire decked in Hunter Wellies this winter, but if you want to buck the trend, look no further than the Parcours 2 wellingtons. Ergonomically designed to get you through those country walks in comfort and specially treated to eliminate bacteria, you'll be arriving in the pub looking fresh and smelling reasonable.
Available at a penny shy of £90 from easy-wellies.co.uk

50 Words On.... Great Moments in Gaming - The Man With The Golden Gun

Nintendo 64. Goldenye. Three friends. Rumble packs. The Man With the Golden Gun on 'Facility'. The smart move of this level was to put the golden gun, one shot, one kill remember, in the toilets. It was also ruthlessly intelligent and amusing to make a spawn location in the vents above the toilets. Many a player was stuck helplessly in them during the game by someone (usually Oddjob) who had seized the gun and kept them stuck up there. The golden barrel pointed upwards while the other two players considered storming this bathroom come bunker. Great fun.

50 Words On... Bishop Nehru

We're predicting a big year for this incredible young talent from New York.

His new song, 'You stressing', produced by the dance talent Disclosure, is guaranteed to get your head bopping. He spent last year warming up for rap legends WuTang, anybody capable of that is NOT to be taken lightly.

Keep updated on his Twitter page twitter.com/BishopNehru

Shoe of the day - 'Joe' Chukka Boots by Loake

We bring you the 'Joe' from British manufacturer, Loake. This stylish chukka boot features a soft, tanned leather with a wedge sole. Beautiful to look at and importantly a comfy wear. It isn't cheap, coming in at £195, but if you buy one Chukka this year, make it the 'Joe'.

50 words on....Dallas Buyers Club

Matthew McConaughey plays Ron Woodroof, a homophobe diagnosed with aids, he sets about importing and selling drugs not yet approved by the US. Jared Leto shines as 'Rayon', the dialogue is compelling and we predict an Oscar win for McConaughey as he puts in the performance of his career.

Essential British Made Winter Warmers

The Airdre V-Neck by Anthony and Brown, is a seamless, stylish italian merino wool knit. Team it with a crisp shirt and this cosy little number also looks the part for those cold days trudging into the office. Available from a very reasonable £39.99, it comes in a range of colours and sizes up to XXL

Anthony and Brown V-Neck

The Cambridge Raincoat Company have produced a high-tech, high-fashion raincoat to get you through this never ending* wettest of winters. Waterproof, windproof, available in green, navy or an eye catching red and weighing in at only £149.99 these should be snapped up
*Winter may or may not eventually end

The Cambridge Raincoat Company

Cock and Bull menswear are an ethical fashion company producing quality goods in the UK, and their Rambler tweed flat cap in green, has caught our eye. Is it even possible to look too much like a country gent? We don't think so, available at £59, order online now at..

Cock And Bull Tweed Cap

50 Words On.... Great Moments in Gaming - The Ascent to Columbia

Bioshock Infinite's opening astonished me. It began the story perfectly. A creepy boat ride, a debt to clear, a body in a lighthouse, losing your pistol and the ride up. A baptism, candles and choral music. Despite it's beauty, it was obvious that things were not what they seemed. A well crafted and memorable beginning.

Shoe of the Day - Cheaney Taunton Buckle Monk Brogue, Mahogany

The single buckle on this fine hand crafted British shoe is bang on trend from Joseph Cheaney and Sons. The Northampton firm, stalwarts to the British shoe industry since 1886 are offering precise, assured style with these classic brogues. Pair with good dark denim. £299. (cheaney.co.uk)

50 words on....George Ezra

The Bristolian singer/songwriter finished 5^th in the BBC's Sound of 2014 and is widely tipped for big things this year, with his debut EP 'Did You Hear the Rain?' out now. Offering a bluesy sound and a voice that will blow you away, be sure to keep an eye on him.

Here's a little taster of the talent this boy has:

Did You Hear the Rain (Live from Glastonbury)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8dd37vHMaN8

Title track from his latest EP, 'Cassy O'

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xfh0JgnwZa8

50 Words On.... Why YOU should be playing Squash

As a standalone game squash is an exhilarating, laugh a minute smash-a-thon. But whilst enjoying the thrill of seeing a ball tan the back of your opponents thigh, you will in fact be in the midst of a mind-blowing workout, burning up to 1000kCal an hour, improving your cardio fitness, co-ordination and core strength. Find out about your local clubs and sign up with a mate for guaranteed endorphines and results.
http://www.englandsquashandracketball.com/clubs

Shoe of the Day... Wildsmith's Regent Oxford

Established in 1847, Wildsmith have had a while to perfect their shoes and by the looks of these beauties , they've not been resting on their laurels. Cut from one piece of leather, these sleek classics will draw more than a few admiring glances. Not cheap at £305, but quality like this rarely is.
Buy now at http://www.wildsmith.com/shoes/regent-black-oxford

Top Three pieces to improve your working wardrobe this week

It's Sunday night chaps. Work is upon us all. What better way to make you feel better than to treat yourself to some British made, stylish additions to your working week.

1) Silver Knot Cufflinks - £85.00 (englishcufflinks.com)

2) Exeter Leather Messenger Bag - £190.00 (heistercamp.co.uk)

3) Yellow Polka Dot Pocket Square - £9.50 - (mrpocketsquare.com)

Shoe of the Day - Shipton and Heneage, Bingham Brown Calf Chelsea Boot

Now I love Chelsea Boots. Solid enough to negotiate a British town centre on a winter's Saturday afternoon but easily snappy enough to look right as the shops close and the bars open. This is the finest Chelsea Boot I have seen for some time, great deep brown colour and effortlessly comfortable. Northampton craftsmanship will ensure your £275 will go a long way. (shiptonandheneage.co.uk)

Top 5 FM players of all time

Here we look at some of the players who have bought some joyous moments in our FM careers, lets take a trip down memory lane and see what we find:

1. Tonton Zola Moukoko – Truly came to life in the 00/01 version of Championship Manager, this AMC was up there with the Zidane's and Rivaldo's of the time, maybe even better. No I am going to say it, he was much, much better. You could snap him up from the Derby County youth team on the cheap and watch him turn into a world beater.
   
   
2. Cherno Samba – Who could forget Cherno Samba? That's right nobody, well nobody who spent months of their life in front of a computer screen playing Championship Manager 01/02! He could be snapped up at the tender age of 17 for a small fee from Millwall and you would giggle to yourself every time they accepted. An absolute must have for any team, a powerful striker who would go onto break scoring records if you let him.
   
   
3. Mark Kerr – Another bargain who would go onto become one of the best centre midfielder's in the world (FM world only), whoever you were, Mark Kerr was a player you just had to sign in the 01/02 version. Avoid signing him at your own peril, you just know he would come back to haunt you.
   
   
4. Billy Jones – Rose to prominence in FM 2005, this wonder kid from Crewe was the solution to your right-back problems. Move over Gary Neville, Billy Jones will be taking your spot now...unlikely to be a phrase uttered by any manager in real life, but my god could this boy defend on FM 2005.
   
   
5. Alexander Farnerud – A player you just had to sign if you were looking for an attacking midfielder and didn't have the financial clout of Barcelona, Man United etc. Available for practically peanuts from Swedish outfit, Landskrona, he would become the first name on your team sheet from his debut onwards.
   

There are plenty who could have made this list; Anatoli Todorov, Sherman Cardenas, Stefan Selakovic for example, are all names we hold dear to our hearts. So please get involved and share with us your favourite FM signings of all time.

50 Words On.... Democracy 3

Be a champion of the poor, an agricultural reformer, support the military, repeal legal aid and everything in between in this intriguing political simulator. A good selection of playable countries, fantastic re-play value and a huge modding community make this a compelling strategy game. Available through Steam on PC. Excellent 4/5

positech.co.uk

Top Five Watches under £100

A good watch is a symbol of style for any gentlemen. These top five picks are excellently priced.

1) Skagen Perfect Blue - £99.00. Effortless style in a great, deep blue. (beaverbrooks.com - pictured below)

2) Diesel DZ1090 - £99.00. Great stainless steel Diesal watch with a deep brown leather strap. (Selfridges.com)

3) Casio G-shock Moon/Tide Yacht Watch - £95.99. Good, tough watch ideal for outdoors or at the gym.  (gaelforcemarine.co.uk)

4) Seiko 5 Automatic - £83.25. Available in five colours and styles, i'd go for the gold, strong statement piece. (watchshop.com)

5) Casio Digital Watch - £17.99. A retro classic design and perfect for those who need a solid, reliable watch. (hsamuel.co.uk)

Top Five units in Civilization V

Building a successful empire in Civ V can be treacherous. Luckily we've got your back with our top five units sure to provide you with some help when you're plotting world domination.

1) Venetian Great Galleass. Playing as Venice is damn tricky business given you can't build settlers to grow. Research 'Compass' as soon as you can, build as many of these as you can and dominate the oceans in the Medieval Era by protecting trade routes. A short lived advantage but a crucial one.

2) Roman Legion. A Civilization classic. A brutally powerful unit in combat, it also comes with the incredibly useful ability to construct roads and forts. Backbone of the Roman Empire, exploit it's versatility to the full.

3) Shoshone Pathfinder. Replacing the scout this unit not only is more useful in combat, it comes with the ability to select player bonuses when finding ancient ruins in the world. Build them and set to the explore. Really handy when playing on maps with plenty of land.

4) Battleship. There is something so satisfying about getting to the modern era and building your first battleship. I think it's the big guns. A very strong naval unit, equally adept at dominating sea engagements or supporting land forces.

5) German Panzer. An extremely effective land unit which allows movement after an attack. Superb at punching through enemy lines and pressing on in to enemy territory. Use artillery or early air units to create a weakness and then flood the gap with Panzers. Can win the game quickly if used to its potential.

50 words on....Who to bet on today

It's that time of the week where we look at football bets and try to make you all a little bit richer. This week's bet comes in the form of a 'banker coupon', wins for Chelsea, Man City, Southampton, Burnley, Valencia and Celtic pays at around 7/1. Good luck, happy betting!

Shoe of the day - The North Face, 'Back to Berkeley' Boot

This boot has a real throw back feel, fused with the modern technology we have come to expect from The North Face product. Those toes of yours will never feel the cold in these bad boys, one can't help but wonder if these were made for fashion or hiking?

Available through Blacks for just £50, down from £110.

http://www.blacks.co.uk/mens/122297-the-north-face-mens-back-to-berkeley-canvas-boot.html

50 words on...Sochi Winter Olympics

The last of the Olympic rings didn't light as planned and was listed as the first failure in Sochi. Surely the greater failure is of the host nations inability to treat gay people as equal? Here's hoping this isn't forgotten once the media circus leaves and change is inspired in Russia

50 Words On.... Now Tv

Now Tv has been pulling in a steady flow of sign ups to its subscription, without contract, services for a few months now and for good reason!! The Sky streaming service provides top quality TV, films and sports for very reasonable rates. Now they have produced the missing piece of the puzzle, A killer app. Streaming over WiFi and 3G it produces excellent results, we predict big things for the service this year A*

Order NowTv from £9.99!!
https://shop.nowtv.com

Top five Football Manager 2014 cheap gems

If you're planning a quiet weekend in with nothing but the stresses of Football Management then we've got the top five cheap players your side can't be without.

1) Lubos Kalouda. This Czech attacking midfielder is available from around £190k from Dukla Prague and has seemingly struggled to live up to his potential which saw him win 8 caps for the Czech Under 21's. Quick and determined, Kalouda provides a superb outlet behind the main striker. Used in the attacking midfielder capacity he bagged 24 goals and 11 assists for me with Wolves in League One.

2) Angelos Charisteas. The Greek hero of Euro 2004 at 33 is still an accomplished target man and a worthy addition to a side favouring direct play either in the Championship or Mid-Lower Premiership cubs. Try using him as a lone striker with two quick, inside forwards on the wings to play off him. As a free transfer, he's well worth a punt.

3) Ciprian Marica. With 62 caps and 21 goals for Romania you will be getting a player with genuine international pedigree. Recently released by Schalke at the start of the game, the 27 year old striker has a great first touch and blistering acceleration. Used in the attacking forward role, Marica would be a good choice for a team playing on the counter attack.

4) Damien Boudjemaa. This 28 year old French attacking midfielder is valued at just £40k and plies his trade in Romania with Petrolul. With excellent passing and movement off the ball, Boudjemaa is a definite candidate for the tricky attacking play-maker role behind your striker. You will face stiff competition for his services at the start of any game so secure him quickly before he's snapped up.

5) Hosain Kaebi. 27 year old Iranian Kaebi is a superb right wing back with astoundingly good technique and pace. He gives a great attacking option for those playing 5-3-2 have him running with the ball down the right causing havoc on your opponents left. Transfer listed at the start of the game with an asking price of just £85k from Iranian club Sanat Naft Abadan.

Shoe of the Day - Grenson Bert, Black

As far as £185 investments go this is solid. Weddings, meetings, dinners and drinks will all be navigated with ease with the Bert either with jeans or virtually any suit. Grenson the Northampton shoemaker maker has produced a lace up, smart, toe capped black shoe that is genuinely versatile and oozes British style.

http://www.grenson.co.uk/en_gb/bert

50 Words On.... Tattoo Regrets

Watching tonights episode of BodyShockers, you will either fall into the love it or hate it camp. But does everyone agree that there should be more responsibility taken by all involved? Write an essay on why you want it done? Put it to a Vote with your friends?? Or is it your body to screw with? Let us know..

50 Words On.... Outlast

Good God this game is terrifying. Perfectly executed jump scares, spooky music and great environments combine to superb effect to create one hell of an atmosphere. Free to play for PS Plus subscribers this is well worth your time. Turn up the sound and play in the dark. Excellent 4/5

The Top five Valentine's Day Gifts for her.. because she deserves it chaps

1) A bespoke outfit. Alice's Boutique produces great made to measure dresses, tops and skirts. She'll love it. (alices-boutique.com)

2) Spa Day. She'll get royally spoiled and will get some much appreciated time and space away from you. (treatme.co.uk)

3) A message in the sky. Classic and stylishly excessive. (airads.co.uk)

4) Pandora Ring. (estore-uk.pandora.net)

5) Red Roses. Got to be done really. (interflora.co.uk)

50 words on..... Danbury mtb trails

Located just next to maldon in Essex lies a mountainbike playground in the woods for all skill levels.

Bomb holes, Berms, jumps and fast singletrack are guaranteed to get the adrenaline flowing.

Local parking and a small shop are nearby. In a mostly flat county its a real treat! Go check it out.