Village Idiot

Apparently a journalist has gone through all the original minutes from the games to make the recount, and then compared them with the press reports of the time to doublecheck mistakes. That's a lot of spare time for something relatively meaningless... Anyhow, at least he should (cross fingers) beat in front of me today. That's something to tell to my kids. Heck, might be worth having them just for that. Also, keep in mind that there's the matter of Paulino Alcántara, who scored 369 in 357, but including a smattering of regional and local championships (there was no Spanish league back then), that a lot of people consider "friendlies" today.

Regarding Anzhi, Marca ran an interview with Roberto Carlos 1-2 weeks ago where he said that they "will try to sign Messi and Cronaldo when their contracts run out". Imagine

Since this summer I have read/listened/seen in dreams 23534634573246 reports of "Neymar signed by Barça/Madrid" that were like totally done deals. I just blank them out nowadays.

Our press is insufferable, please accept my apologies in the name of the Spanish nation.

Personally think we won't win this one. Real Madrid haven't actually been that brilliant lately (struggled against Betis and Rayo) but will take a massive dip in form for us to make up that deficit, provided we won't drop a single point in the next 11 games (which would nearly be an all time La Liga record if you add it up to our current run streak). The only way I would think there's hope is if the deficit drops to 6 or less before the Clásico. If we won that one, we would be within one game with a favorable GA and all bets would be off. Villarreal have been terrible this season and just named a new manager yesterday, they will be tonked.

Question: why do you want Spurs to win here? EDIT: Ah, a Top 6 cup final I see.

Big Sam would explode in a supernova of hot air and hubris if he promoted West Ham.

Treble subs always remind me of SBR, did he do them for you too?

Has it been explained how Stracqualursi ended up at Everton? Or is it still classed as a paranormal phenomenon?

That's been a quite dull game, to be honest, both sides have been tremendously unexciting. Too afraid of losing, I guess.

Didn't they hold a vote for their nickname? (and how stupid is that)

I more meant injury at beginning of season and kept out of the side because the manager doesnt like him and same excuses that he's not fit being used....... Also tbf he's being kept out by Diarra, Khedira and Granero Diarra and Khedira are very different players to him, though. Granero has played more than Sahin but he's hardly a regular feature either. Sahin has been fit since November and has completed a few games with Turkey already. I think that Mourinho has had ample opportunities to get him up to speed (why don't throw him in the last 15-20 minutes in all those games where they are 2-3 up?) and has ignored him so far. On that, I agree with you. Maybe he just doesn't fancy him? Like you say though he needs the minutes to help him get up to speed, look at Ozil, far better this year IMO now he's fully up with the Spanish league. On a slightly related note, did Valencia buy Canales outright? Mou didn't sign him, might be one of the reasons (but he didn't sign Özil either). Canales is on loan for two years with a buyout option.

Not even our record, actually. We got 86% once in the CL against Panathinaikos. Anyway, didn't want to hijack the thread. What I found peculiar about the PL table is that NUFC is the only team in an European spot with an average possession below 50% (not by much, granted).

I more meant injury at beginning of season and kept out of the side because the manager doesnt like him and same excuses that he's not fit being used....... Also tbf he's being kept out by Diarra, Khedira and Granero Diarra and Khedira are very different players to him, though. Granero has played more than Sahin but he's hardly a regular feature either. Sahin has been fit since November and has completed a few games with Turkey already. I think that Mourinho has had ample opportunities to get him up to speed (why don't throw him in the last 15-20 minutes in all those games where they are 2-3 up?) and has ignored him so far. On that, I agree with you.

Multi-page thread on SMB already. http://www.readytogo.net/smb/showthread.php?t=683243

Anyhow, Mourinho has just denied the loan rumor in his press conference.

Nah, Real Madrid don't have an Obertan keeping him out of the side.

Found this cool graph, and thought about sharing it: Premier league possession table. There's a pretty good correlation between possession and league standing, unless you're Stoke or Swansea. And there's a surprisingly big gap between the last team over 50% and yourselves, the first team to fall below it. You also have the second biggest gap between average possession at home vs possession away. http://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/en/premier-league/ballbesitz/wettbewerb_GB1.html (La Liga provided for fun and giggles: http://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/en/primera-division/ballbesitz/wettbewerb_ES1.html)

I dunno, despite the odd time it works I still feel far too many players are forced to move too early by agents/ego/clubs when they need nothing more but regular football to continue developing. It's probably just personal thing as I'd prefer to see the talent spread around rather than being hoovered by big clubs, often for little more reason than to stop others having them. Although tbf to Sahin his injury didn't help his case. Certainly I too would prefer if talented players stayed where they are, but I understand they want to prove themselves at bigger clubs. Madrid did need somebody like Sahin anyway, as I said Alonso doesn't have cover (best squad in the world!) and they have been fortunate with his fitness. Sahin has been fit since November. He started in two meaningless cup games and the CL when they had already clinched first, and was never seen again.

Can't fault players wanting to move to big clubs if they think they have the ability to succeed there. It worked for Özil so it might have worked for Sahin. If they stay put when it becomes clear that they won't be given opportunities (hello Granero), then it's time to move. Real Madrid do need another creative midfielder anyway, they depend a lot on Alonso.

scroll back and read my treatise on players reading the game and covering each other. Yes, I read it. Doesn't change my opinion. Incidentally, I dispute the fact that most wingers at this level are capable of being an effective presence in both areas. Bale and Valencia, those cited, are athletic wonders. what are you disputing ? The idea that asking a winger to always track back doesn't hurt his attacking game. Very few players have the stamina to be effective on both sides of the pitch. Probably I'm too used to La Liga, where 442 is rarer and I see plenty of wingers who stay up to offer counterattacking options and stretching their backline. Again, I'm not saying that he doesn't have to work for the team, every player has to, just that he should stay more in front of the ball than behind it.

scroll back and read my treatise on players reading the game and covering each other. Yes, I read it. Doesn't change my opinion. Incidentally, I dispute the fact that most wingers at this level are capable of being an effective presence in both areas. Bale and Valencia, those cited, are athletic wonders.

Honestly, I insist on the tactical value of leaving players deployed in front of the ball, not behind. If Enrique/Kolarov/Stephen Ward runs with the ball he's giving his back to one of his opposition's best players. One misplaced pass and he's out of position. Gaps do work both ways.

Mate who supports Gladbach is pretty sure he's off there next season. Marca pundit claims that's not what Mourinho prefers. He thinks he needs "toughening up" (same thing was said about Canales last season, interestingly) and Bundesliga is his comfort zone.

Aye, tracking back works both ways. If Enrique is attacking the wing and leaving Ben Arfa be, then you have Daniel Agger having to cover for him, opening up the center for your strikers, etc...