Village Idiot

And who do you take out? The problem with Real Madrid is that they have like 1000000000000 attacking mids.

It's been shortened because of the Euros. We usually have games on the first weekend of January, anyway.

It's not, but a lot of people have holidays.

How long on his Chelsea deal? Might need a shopping window if there isn't much left on it. He would do very well at Villa, imho.

Atlético agreed a deal to buy Celta's Augusto several days ago. The window opens tomorrow, but Celta are playing Atlético tonight. Augusto - who's the team captain - has told Celta's manager that he wants to play this one last game for them.

Wish we did. He was poached (fair play to Arsenal, it's not like we don't poach loads of youngsters ourselves). Deulo has a clause, but I don't think he'll be back while Lucho is manager. Doesn't seem to like Deulofeu at all.

Sergi Guardiola, a dude that was signed to boost Barça B, who are doing poorly. It was discovered that he had written some pretty nasty stuff about Barça and Catalonia on twitter a couple years ago, and his contract was terminated. It's not the first time it happens. Depor also signed a dude in the summer and was also fired a few hours later, after it surfaced that he had bashed them on twitter. There's a bit of twitter hysteria in Spain at the moment. Quite a few public people (politicians, mostly) have left their posts after people dug up stupid shit they said on twitter before being elected.

So, transfer window! We have sold Alex Grimaldo to Benfica for €1,5m. The lad looked like a monster leftback in the making when he first appeared for Barça B 5 years ago, but sadly some very serious injuries have stunted his development. We are heavily linked with Denís Suárez, who we sold to Villarreal with a buyback clause. Lucho already tried to get him back in the summer, but we were blocked by FIFA (he was away on a loan at the moment, and it was a grey area). He seems to rate him, although with Arda Turan I'm not sure we need more AMs. Besides that, it doesn't seem we'll do much business this window.

Their whole defence has been built around that they weren't communicated in an effective manner of Cherisev's ban. I guess that's what they will try to argue in the regular courts. The FA argued back (and demonstrated) that they communicated it to Villarreal and the player, and that Real Madrid failed to do their due diligence when they bought him.

Yup, Madrid have confirmed that they are taking this to the regular courts.

Spanish Sports Appellate Court confirms Real Madrid's exclusion from the Spanish Cup. Their only remaining avenue is taking it to the regular courts, which it seems they may do.

It's ok, this year we have a shortened break because of the Euros. We have games this Wednesday.

If NUFC was doing better this could easily be my favorite PL season in a long time.

Bon Nadal!

That LVG rant is typical LVG. He had quite a few of those while he managed us and things went pear-shaped. He loses it so easily. He's amusing, but that dignified anger shtick ultimately gets stale.

As a Spaniard, Pardew as England manager would be glorious. Make it happen.

The bad news is that the president of the Spanish FA is now acting president of UEFA. Massive crock.

Meh, not too hopeful then. We don't seem to know how to manage these kind of players. Thanks, Flip.

Apparently Real Madrid members have been surveyed today about sacking Benítez (Florentino loves his surveys). Stay strong, Rafa.

Marca claiming that Benítez could get the sack in the coming hours Wonder if the timing means that Mourinho is coming back - which would be puzzling given the way he left, and the bridges he burnt. But I can't see who they might go for.

Everton or Chelsea?

Broken leg, two surgeries, hasn't played in a year IIRC. This is actually a short term contract to test his fitness. If his leg stands in one piece, he'd easily find a better club.

Now that you have Mitro, it's a golden chance to get yourselves some Serb fans and seat them near the Directors box at SJP.

He built a legacy at Barça. I don't think there's ever been a more influential manager in hour history, and I'm including Cruyff here. Guardiola has always said that he wants to be at different places throughout his career, so he's not going to remain many years at the same club.

It's ok, you can stick a fork in them, they're done.