Village Idiot

Guardiola was my first local hero, he was the personification of what all the kids of my age dreamt; to turn out for Barça and captain the side to glory. And 15 years later he does the same as manager Easily to understand why he's so crazily idolized over here.

I was late for Keegan, but there was a comic book I used to read about a fictional Barça player, and in one of the issues they played against a Keegan-led Hamburg. That made me look him up, even got some tapes off their EC matches. What a player

Van Basten was obviously my first non-Barça idol, like most kids from my generation probably.

My first Barça idol, I was 8 at the time when he was banging them in for us That hattrick against Real Madrid and was furious when Cruyff sold him

Marin looked utter class for Sevilla yesterday, although the opposition was piss.

"Those are not the strikers you're looking for".

They only pocketed 24 for Illarramendi; 6-7 went to their creditors and the rest was tax as they forced Real Madrid to activate the clause - which carries VAT - instead of agreeing a transfer of an equivalent amount (which is what's usually done between Spanish clubs). They were in the shit back when they got relegated and entered administration, but got amazingly good terms and they are in pretty good shape now. Dunno what their intentions are regarding the fee but I suspect they'll bank them to try to get better contracts to some of their key players next year. Xabi Alonso is on the last year of his contract and there's lots of talk he'll go there on a free next year. He's always been clear he wants to retire there.

They seem to do that a lot recently, don't they?

Vydra should start instead of Anelka, right? Thinking of switching Anelka for him. Want to keep my WC until all transfer business is completed.

Well, I've only seen him in the CL/EL, I'll admit that. But that's probably closer to the standard of opposition that he'll be facing in the PL than Tavriya Simferopol while playing for what's the best team in the country by miles. And yes, we were shite yesterday, not too worried given that we've only had one month of training with the new manager, and that Atlético started their preseason way earlier and they athletic advantage was on display.

I will nail my colors to the mast and say that I think Willian's overrated. Great player to watch whenever I've seen him, but not as influental as he should be given his ability.

To be honest, since he isn't playing for my team I find Suárez' antics entertaining in a watch-a-trainwreck kind of thing. Plus he's a great footballer.

Been a great night Wrath on midfield, Lust on the bench and Sloth subbed in at around the 70 mark.

Bale to stay at Spurs then.

Di María is great when he's arsed to. That usually happens when there's a new contract on the horizont.

My record is 109 many years ago when I captained Lampard and he went on a hat trick plus assists. Got 50+ off him only.

Benzema is utterly brilliant on his day, but surely Arsenal don't need yet another mentally weak player?

56 - Could've been worse I guess.

There's another leg at the Camp Nou.

You did. Two months ago. (cunts)

Problem with Gourcuff is that going off what I've seen him these years in the CL with Lyon (and his Ligue stats don't suggest otherwise), his best days seem to be further and further spaced. Yesterday he was truly ineffectual against Real Sociedad, and Real Sociedad didn't actually dominate the game despite the scoreline.

They'll bid 8,5m

Atlético - Barça games are usually like that. Quite wild.

Had truly great season at Bourdeaux when on loan from Milan IIRC, then he sorta slowly declined. He's a rather ineffectual player when I see him nowadays, but hasn't had the best of luck with injuries.

Well, mandatory Villa goal out of the way. Yeah, Alba's a twat, thought we already agreed on that months ago.