Blackpool winger Tom Ince answered fans' questions via @FA on Twitter

England Under-21s forward Tom Ince says that Xabi Alonso is the best player he’s ever faced.

Ince, now with Blackpool, regularly lined-up against the Real Madrid play-maker in training when they were both at Liverpool.

“It was the first time I trained with the first team when Rafa [Benitez] was there and I went up as a kid,” recalls Ince. “I was on Stevie G’s side so I thought ‘I’m alright here, I should be on the winning team’.

“I played up front and tried to drop deep to get on the ball, but I turned round and Xabi Alonso kept picking the ball up behind me and made me look so stupid. I was running around like a headless chicken for about an hour.”

Speaking to fans in an exclusive Twitter chat via @FA as he prepared for the Young Lions Euro 2013 play-off against Serbia in Norwich on Friday, the 20-year-old also revealed which Premier League club he supports.

Born in Stockport while his dad, ex-West Ham, Inter Milan, Liverpool, Wolves and England midfielder Paul, was playing for Manchester United, Tom naturally supporters London giants Arsenal!

Meanwhile, he also revealed that the best finisher he’s played alongside is veteran striker Kevin Phillips, who has scored 18 goals for the Seasiders since joining in July last year. Read some of Tom’s answers on Twitter below, or watch the behind-the-scenes video in the FATV player.



Twitter Q&A

@sammyrbrowne: What's your dream ambition Tom? Champions League winner or World Cup? Can't say both.
World Cup winner

@BurgessSamuel: Would you like to become a professional football manager in the future?
Erm, I'm not sure maybe we will have to wait and see.

@JajiLebby: Who do you think is the better striker, Cavani or Falcao?
Falcao.

@stevo11parkes: What's it like to play under Ian Holloway #legend?
He's fantastic and gives me great confidence to go and express myself.

@Andyfielding123: Best mate at Blackpool? And the U21s?! #AskInce
Blackpool I would say Matty Phillips and 21s I’ll just say Wilfred to keep him happy and not feel a loner.

@CroxyEFC: West Kirby Wasps or Panthers?
Haha, great question. It's got to be the wasps

@frankieyoutwit: What are your ambitions from this season?
First of all promotion with Blackpool, hopefully reach a good target of goals and also keep fit for international selection.

@mohd_mudaifa: What are you hoping to achieve in your footballing career?
Just to always try and reach the top of my game, hopefully play in some big matches and major tournaments.

@LouisKillilea: What footballers did you look up to when you were younger and why?
Rivaldo.

@Alex_C_Evans: Who do you aspire to be like?
I'd have to say Ryan Giggs.

@silencekid85: Did you enjoy your time at Notts County? #askInce
Yeah I did, apart from my old man being the manager it was excellent.

@sallmonkman: What's your best goal for Blackpool? #AskInce
I'd have to say the Wembley goal

@mikkiboy23: Who do you support?
I am big Arsenal fan.

@donsimon78: Do you think you’re better than your dad??
I hope so, I have a long way to go but I have belief in my ability to be better.

@jakeashton_: @FA FIFA or PES #askInce
FIFA all the way. And I'm just about to go beat @yungzaha again on it

@kickinthebs: Name the player you'd most like to play with or against? Dead or alive, any era!
Maradona

Thanks for all your tweets, been a pleasure. If you want to follow me on twitter it’s @RealThomasInce..... Off to get some rest for tomorrow's game!

Tickets for the England U21s Euro 2013 play-off first leg with Serbia on Friday 12 October are still available for just £10 adults and £5 for concessions and can be ordered online here