Day 53

We're favourites to win tomorrow's match against Newport County. The bookies gave us odds of 6-4 for the win, 2-1 for a draw, and 13-8 for a loss.

I don't know why I keep going to these press conferences; I always get asked boring questions. Today some journalist from a website I haven't heard of (I don't read non-league news) asked, "It has been suggested that you will adopt a defensive approach in order to avoid defeat in this game, is that true?" What I wanted to say was along the lines of "Absolutely not! When have I ever adopted a defensive approach? We play football to win and entertain the fans."

Instead I had to give a more politically-correct response—which is to say a non-answer. "I am looking to play an open, free-flowing attacking game." This job really cramps my style sometimes.

[The truth, if you recall, is that I'm offered a choice of five responses—ranging from one extreme (saying we'll shut up shop, in this case) to the other (all-out attack)—or "no comment." Press conferences have felt shallow, unsubstantial, and tacked-on in the series since their introduction in Football Manager 2009, even after a major revamp in 2011. And this extends to other interactions with the media, such as talking up a potential signing or responding to another manager's comment.

The whole system for dealing with the press in Football Manager is weak and boring, and it always has been—even when its novelty made the shortcomings easy to overlook. If a little indie developer like New Star Games can make media dealings interesting (and dare I say, fun), why can't Sports Interactive?]

I've got something of a selection headache to deal with tomorrow. New loan signing Matthew Park is ready to go, but left back (and club captain) John Nutter is in form. Kanouté's been struggling at right back, and I'd like to move him into a central role. But Josh Gowling doesn't deserve to lose his spot to either Kanouté or Park. Meanwhile in attack, Koroma's few impressive moments in his debut off the bench put a good case forward for the young striker to start. I refuse to drop the in-form Barnes-Homer, however, and Shuker's been brilliant since I pushed him up from the wing.

I guess I'll sleep on it.