Village Idiot

Well, you can defend and defend, Levante were truly abysmal tonight, certs to go down this season going by what I saw. They lost all that intimidation and swagger that defined their character these past seasons. Loved lots of what I saw tonight, not just the goals but the team's attitude, the high pressing... we missed that. We'll see if we keep it up throughout the season, Atlético this wednesday is a good test.

Bale and Ronaldo are so similar. Put them both in opposite wings would be detrimental imho. It would make them more unidimensional. If they sign up Bale it will end up with one of them playing upfront imho.

I still struggle to see Bale fitting in there. Ancelotti likes narrow systems but they are getting back to the point where they are putting square pegs in round holes in order to fit all the talented players they have.

Osvaldo's great, and as you say he never gives up. Quite remember several games at Espanyol where everybody was walking on the pitch, one or two goals behind and he'd still chase every long ball directed at him. He's pretty talented too, he's more of a second striker to me rather than an all-out goalscorer.

And Chelsea signed Hazard's bro too

My all-Spanish FF team is sinking fast; all of Cazorla, Mata and Azpilicueta benched this week

Tbf I think this is Chadli's second game for Spurs, needs time to blend in but I thought he looked pretty impressive against Espanyol. The problem with Tottenham is that they still have no substance to their attacking play, and now they can't resort to passing it to Bale. Soldado's usually great at finding space for himself, they need to get avenues to exploit that.

Completely different position. Cleverley is our starting centre midfielder. Kagawa plays in the hole. And that's the problem. Oh and I'm not sure winning the league by 11 points is a problem. Thanks to Cleverley I guess? I do watch Manu - not as often as you, of course - and I have never seen anything to me that suggests that he's anything but decent; not somebody I'd start for a club challenging for the CL. Add to it than your other midfielder is Giggs... and you really have a big gaping hole in there. Carrick's class though.

Completely different position. Cleverley is our starting centre midfielder. Kagawa plays in the hole. And that's the problem.

Same

Decent appraisal that. I agree that Madrid have had the better window (although we've just signed Neymar), and more importantly, Mourinho leaving has brought a sense of calm to the place that will help them immensely. We've had a messy window with all that's happened, and face the new season with important holes in our squad and a new manager that's barely had time to work with the players. Still, really looking forward this weekend.

Pabón to Valencia. My 2-months old niece has more teeth than Valencia's forward line after selling Soldado and buying Postiga and then this guy

I always try to keep about one mil in the bank the first week to give me some flexibility as I tinker it after who I see who starts and who doesn't. Also for new August signings.

I used to do that in seasons prior, but then I was thinking of topping myself everytime I picked the "wrong one". It was too stressful So now I'm going for a top 6 goalie (Schestnut) and a cheapo one (Boruc).

Is Boruc going to start for Southampton? I reckon they could have a good season and I'm looking at picking their starting goalie as my cheap backup one.

Who have they bought? i know they have submitted a lot of big offers but a lot of rejections it seems. Caulker 8M Cornelius 8M Medel 11M I think that's about it ?! I don't know much about this Cornelius fellow, but otherwise it's a rather unspectacular return for such an expenditure.

Villa defenders though But some decent suggestions

Mmm--- I need and el cheapo sub 5.0 defender to fill up the squad, somebody that will play regularly and can be rotated in and out depending on the opposition. Any suggestions?

Everton, famously known for setting transfer windows alight.

I always think the best of everybody Still, I think Ashley's supposed don't-give-a-f***-ness has its limits, his money is on the line afterall. Also, in Europe this kind of big personality DoFs are often used to protect managers and draw heat themselves. He'll be as "burnt" as Pardew if AP gets the sack.

JFK getting appointed would probably trim the member numbers at least. it would for a united front of hatred It would also mean one down and only one to go, because once Kinnear's gone it would surely be impossible to not bring in a better manager than him or Pardew, right? Right.. What's Ian Dowie up to these days? Joking aside, I personally don't think that JFK is the heir apparent to Pardew. Ashley probably wants to put pressure on him, but the thing about replacing a manager is giving the club a fresh start and a lift, not putting somebody in charge that will have as much a negative baggage as Pardew.

Why would you ever put 4 West Ham players in a FF team?

I'm thinking of putting in Mirallas since he's classed as a midfielder. If he plays regularly, he should be one of Everton's major outlets.

He's actually done decently in preseason, but it's just preseason. They got Gameiro for a pretty good price anyway, that should sort them out. That Romanian striker is a bit of a puzzler too. But that's Sevilla's way, lot's of pretty leftfield signings for low prices; a few will turn out good enough to be moved on for 10m+ fees and finance the rest; plus the odd jackpot (Baptista, Alves, Negredo).

Sevilla have bought Cristóforo from Peñarol to seemingly replace Medel, although he's a but young (19). Sevilla's transfermarkt page for this season http://www.transfermarkt.com/en/sevilla-fc/transfers/verein_368.html