Village Idiot

He was in Real Madrid C until now, which means he wasn't deemed good enough. It's where they send all their second tier youth prospects that can later be sold to lesser teams or fill in at Real Madrid Castilla in a pinch. True prospects like Jesé or Carvajal never set foot at Real Madrid C.

I have to admit my only exposure to Garth Crooks are his often hilarious picks for team of the week.

Our president during most of the 80s-90s, Josep Lluís Núñez, has been jailed at age 83 for tax fraud. My dad had business with him in the 90s, and can vouch that he's a massive crook.

I think we've done 6 year contracts before. Sissoko was 6.5 when he joined if I remember correctly. Mmmmm... Just checked FIFA's regulations on this: http://www.fifa.com/mm/document/affederation/administration/regulations_on_the_status_and_transfer_of_players_en_33410.pdf So I guess England allows longer contracts?

Max contract length is five years, pretty sure NUFC has gone for that, particularly with a young player.

Song is on loan from us, so he still has a Barça wage.

Not bad!

Toshack, Coleman and now Moyes. Quite strange for a European club to go down that route really. IIRC, the manager that's won more Spanish Cups is one Fred Pentland, an Englishman that managed Bilbao in the 20s and 30s.

Me neither, it's true that they have a story with British managers, though; Toshack was the last manager that won them things.

Didn't see that, read it way too fast. It's late So Real Sociedad is like Everton. Think Moyes might get them to 10th, then? I don't know if there are many good teams in Spanish football apart from Barca, RM and Atletico Madrid? Apart from the top 3? 4? are the teams pretty even? They'll be aiming higher than 10th I would've thought given their last few seasons They have lost several of the players that got them there though. Anyway, it's an ambitious appointment for them, certainly means they are aiming for Europe instead of being content with life in midtable.

Bunch of managers come here without Spanish knowledge and eventually do fine.

Terms of succeeding for Real Sociedad are competing for an European slot. They are smaller than Everton in the EPL, I'm a bit surprised he didn't hold out for a bigger club. That said, I'm pleased that he tried something new, and by having him in Spain.

Moyes appointed Real Sociedad manager.

73, with 9 on the bench. Happy enough.

Ah well, his FF points will slightly make up for the fact we shouldn't have sold him.

I had heard and seen him play, but I didn't expect such an immediate impact as soon as he was given time on the pitch.

Chuffed for the lad. Please don't sell him.

Hmm, obviously there's the Spurs one but what was the other one? I was wrong, only the FF site seems to give him 2, so it must be a "fantasy football" assist.

45 with 5 to go; thanks to captain Agüero.

That's the problem with Rayo, there's a reason they finished with the highest conceded goals last season, despite finishing midtable

I love Jémez. 2-0 down at the Bernabéu? Let's just attack more and get one back. They'll probably end up losing by a comfortable margin, but I love his mentality.

Gave the stunner to Joe Hart.

Suarez had a brilliant 15-20minute spell. Neymar is lucky he scored because he was dogshite, felt like he kept running into a wall. Aye, Suárez will be brilliant once he finally settles into the team. Problem is they look quite bereft of confidence at the moment, and our midfield gets easily bypassed and loses too many balls, since Enrique is trying to implement a more direct style.

Thank fuck.