Village Idiot

There's just no way that Guardiola would play Mandzukic ahead of Lewandowski like

Rayo at home is a pretty unique experience. Although you'd probably try to get into the Calderón or Bernabéu if you stop by Madrid of course. But with so many teams in Madrid it's pretty easy to watch one of the big boys (Atlético, Real) and then one of the minnows (Getafe and Rayo) the same weekend. Getafe are a horrid matchday experience, however.

Aye, I have been most impressed by Neymar's passing game; didn't know he had that in his locker. Always had him for a more "run towards goal dancing through players" kind of forward.

FFS, now that you mentioned it I'm completely uncapable of un-seeing it

Not true, Neymar has produced far more at both individual and team level than Bale. Problem is that he's done it in the Brazilian league, which raises some valid questions about his ability to do it in Europe. Anyway, I posted that article because of the hilarious "trophies" mention, as if all those Player of the month/year awards meant owt in the game (and Neymar has more of those too, if we really wanted to compare).

http://www.goal.com/en-my/news/3895/spain/2013/09/25/4287697/bale-better-than-neymar-says-real-madrid-wingers-agent?ICID=HP_BN_1 I must have missed all those open top bus parades around Tottenham.

http://i406.photobucket.com/albums/pp143/ricardomb00/1380148244750_zps042a58c0.jpg The old "raise your hand and appeal for a pen before even hitting the ground" style.

Wow, Elche got robbed there

I remember Cudicini too, or was that for Scotland?

Felipao will love this; we've formally asked FIFA to authorize Diego Costa to play for Spain. Since I suppose we aren't doing this without the consent of the player, I suppose this means Costa will be added to our long list of Brazilians that played for Spain (Catanha, Donato, Senna). Truth be said he's exactly what we need to solidify our striking options going into the future. Even if I don't really feel comfortable with this kind of thing.

Bold, even without his recent injury. Currently 50th: http://eurorivals.net/top-scorers.html

Zubizarreta was also DoF at Athletic and now Barça. Estebaranz had also a short spell as Leganés manager (IIRC).

This was by far our best game since November-December last year. Enjoyed it thoroughly. Neymar's clicking quicker than I expected. His allround game is far better than I expected; how he passes and moves, makes one-twos, etc...

Big deal being made over here about us losing possession for the first time in 5 years. I'm a bit uneasy about it, I understand we need some more flexibility and directness but... still premature to pass judgement I guess, a lot of players still look uncomfortable about the new things Martino's trying.

I seem to recall him getting injured fairly soon and then never getting back into the side, but I didn't follow NUFC too closely at the time.

He's very similar IMO, with Sissoko being quite similar to Diaby although not as talented.... We need Cazorla What, a talented, creative Spaniard? Playing for Newcastle? http://www.footballtransfertavern.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/luque.jpg

Thinking on taking Hazard out for Eriksen... didn't watch the last Spurs game but he looked very good last week and then in the EL.

I have never been to a Clásico myself since I was a kid. It has gone completely out of hand... 300€ for shitty row z tickets on resale? I'm not that rich.

I have no idea about Viagogo, never used them. You won't get tickets through regular sources (they will sell out 30 seconds after they go on sale) so I suppose these sites are your only alternative. Just checked their prices and they are more than twice the official sale price, but that's to be expected.

Both Madrid and Barcelona only have one airport serving them, besides some regional ones that are a bit afar from the cities themselves, this is ridiculous

So most times they'll go straight to the group pase, that's quite the bye. Although checking the list of EL winners this decade there aren't names that jump at me as teams that wouldn't challenge for a CL spot in their leagues at the time.

At which phase of the CL would the EL winner enter?

Giving Hazard this weekend, after that I'm considering swapping him for Eriksen (impressed so far) and use the price difference on another of my shittier midfielders.

Valencia are a shambles this season, nothing really surprising here.

Was to Olympiastadion in the early 2000s for a CL match with Barça and thought it was a pretty s*** place for football myself. Little atmosphere, too cavernous, pitch miles off the stands. Dunno if the remodelation for the WC improved it.