Village Idiot

I like Rafa a lot but he's completely unsuited to managing Madrid. James Rodríguez on the bench was a head-scratcher for me; he was comfortably one of Madrid's best players last season. They need to buy a forward, or at least do some business like Chicharito last season. There's nobody to replace Benzema or give him rest, and Ronaldo is better coming from the wing.

We were bad today, but we got 3 points from a place where we often drop some. I'll take that and take solace in the fact Madrid have started slow too. Vermaelen was pretty solid btw, I think he will be useful once he gets going.

Michu already had been circling a call up during his stint at Celta. Also, if Ayoze were to score 15+ pl goals like Michu did I assure you he would get noticed too.

Mike Williamson IMO You can't lose what you'll never have I know the Spanish press are spoilt for choice when it comes to analysing players, but is there any mention at all of this kids progress? No, he's pretty much off the radar. Won't get a look until he goes back to Spain or signs for a big(ger) English team. gtfo You're not seen as a big club by Spanish media, that's what I mean.

I wish Jémez had left Rayo. I really want to see what he can do with better players.

Mike Williamson IMO You can't lose what you'll never have I know the Spanish press are spoilt for choice when it comes to analysing players, but is there any mention at all of this kids progress? No, he's pretty much off the radar. Won't get a look until he goes back to Spain or signs for a big(ger) English team.

Mike Williamson IMO You can't lose what you'll never have

Just seen Traoré's "goal". Pure Adama that, all up to the shitty cross to nobody - which this time fortunately ends up in a keeper blunder.

I send Krul to the bench, he scores 11 points. I don't know why I keep trying anymore.

Was having lunch at my parents place so I only caught glimpses of the first half. You looked decent - was impressed by Ayoze and Wynaldum's interplay. I see that it was a rather tight affair during the second half, but pleased you got a result.

Given how the club has persevered with the signing of this lad, Carr must seriously rate him. I'm intrigued to see him on the pitch.

One of the Barcelona rags, who's often full of shit too, "confirms" Chelsea bid on Pogba, but a lower amount than the €120m reported, between €80m-90m.

A bunch of silly Chelsea transfer rumors lately; I think journos are just taking the piss.

Speaking of talented Canarians, Valerón is back in La Liga, at 40 years of age. Legend

By the way, Pedro's first club, San Isidro of Tenerife, will receive a cool €420,000 from the transfer. They sit at the Spanish fifth tier so it's a f***ing fortune for them.

Our most dependable squad player. We'll come to regret this, but he wanted to go so there's little we could've done. In what way? I know you have some love for him, but he's been below average for over 2 seasons now. Don't think you'll regret it at that price. Huge money for a 28 year old that has been in some declined form for almost 2 years. 2 seasons? The season before the last was one of his most productive since he's been a senior player. And the one thing that made his last season "bad" was not being nearly as good as Neymar-Messi-Suárez, something that happens to 99% of professional footballers. That's why he wanted to leave, he needs playing time to secure a spot at the Euros. He's roughly 1 in 3 throughout his career, for a winger that's been the fourth man upfront for several seasons of his career, that's a pretty damn great return.

Our most dependable squad player. We'll come to regret this, but he wanted to go so there's little we could've done.

There's no way I can't be convinced that confusing "knee" with "dick" is a natural mistake. Huge Freudian slip there

Incidentally, with the sale of Pedro we are turning a profit for this transfer window. I can't recall the last time this happened, maybe when we sold Ronaldo? That was 20 years ago. Last season we broke our spending record, so I guess we're balancing the books now, with the transfer ban in force.

The involved journalist is trash. Disregard.

Huge goal for Valencia.

http://e0.365dm.com/15/08/16-9/20/pedro-oscar-football-manager-graphic_3339400.jpg?20150819142724 I'm speechless

I see Míchel has been made OM manager. How does that utter fraud keep getting these jobs?

Pedro going to Chelsea will put me in the very uncomfortable situation of wishing well to a Mourinho team. Sucks.

The League Cup is a proper trophy. This is the Spanish Community Shield.