That's like videogame football!

'That's like videogame football' used to be a criticism levelled against real football by fans, commentators and pundits, when something unlikely, stupid or particularly half-arsed happened on the pitch during a game. I've been playing a lot of FIFA 10 this week and I no longer think that that criticism can be used, validly. Footballers haven't got any more competent, it's just that videogame football isn't like videogame game football any more.

I've just watched the extended highlights of West Ham v Sunderland on Sky Sports Football First. 'That's just like FIFA', I thought to myself several times during the game. Not because of comedy capers on the pitch, though throwing away a 2-0 lead away from home is half-arsed but, as any West Ham fan will tell you, nothing particularly unusual. No, rather the game was bringing home home how well-modelled FIFA is this year - the movement, the tactics, the reactions of players to what teammates are doing, the marshalling of defences, the running off the ball. It's just like real football, without the swearing, spitting and diving. Maybe that's for FIFA 11?