Village Idiot

Today was lush, particularly the second half. Dembelé still looks a bit lost, but Semedo is really class so far. And of course, Lionel Andrés f***ing Messi.

Fun game this. What do you think it's the worst NUFC XI to ever get a win in the PL? I would put Barça's but you would tell me to GTFO.

Debut goal and perfectly taken at that. He's still such a good striker.

Damn liberals, always punishing success.

I often wonder these days if the likes of Colback, Gouffran & Anita have skewed our vision so much that a player comes along, does the basics well and we instantly think he's a world beater We have a word in Spanish football jargon for these kind of players: nadacampistas ("nothingfielders"). Aka midfielders that run around a lot but ultimately bring f*** all to the team. Jack Colback is one of the best examples of a nadacampista that I have ever seen. Good on Rafa for dumping him as soon as he could afford to and bring in some quality.

From De Boer to Hodgson and Sammy Lee, I see the Palace owner has a steady vision for the team

Wow, whatever will the Spanish police uncover next. I suppose that's a "no shit Sherlock" comment?

Fans complain about agents, clubs complain about agents, but I don't really see players complaining about agents and they're the most important people in this issue. I also don't see why fans complain about agents, they're only working for the players. The rise in incomes for footballers is a good thing, even if clubs lose money (which they generally don't). Players gaining power vs clubs isn't a bad thing. But at the end of the day it's superagents like the Mendes and Raiolas of this world who end up wielding much of this power thanks to the sheer amount of players that they control, and that's not necessarily a good thing. See for example Mendes using Valencia as his personal shopping window for the players he represents, which has been brilliant business for him but terrible for Valencia. Atlético were in a similar position until Simeone put his foot down.

Nice curse 2-4. There you go. They really wanted to win this, great mentality. Cracking game.

Real Sociedad look stupidly strong this season. Might challenge for the CL.

Jorge Mendes has been added as "necessary accomplice" to the court case of Ronaldo's tax fraud. Will appear in front of the judge in about a month. He's also listed as one of the accused in Falcao's tax fraud case, and the Spanish police is investigating whether he might have set up a structure to help the footballers he represents to illegally avoid tax. Oh please please please jail him.

That was decent. Pity it's a holiday this Monday, nothing like the first day at work after a derby win.

2. Marcelo they can do without. The other 2 expose the fact that not replacing Morata was a mistake. Benzema is their only senior centreforward.

If the only way you're getting there is through dangerous play, then don't go in there.

Valencia - Atlético coming up. This should be tasty, I fancy Valencia to do well this season with Marcelino in charge.

Just seen the Mané replay. How can people say that's not a red, have I stumbled into RAWK by mistake?

Seems confirmed that Dembelé will start for us tonight in the derby. I know we need to give him time, but I'm really excited to see him play.

Also, Real Madrid drawing at home with Ronaldo banned and Benzema injured. That's when you'd like to have somebody like Morata to call on. I still don't understand why they haven't signed a striker this window. I guess they'll still win the game, though.

I just transferred Mané this week into my FF team. This is ridiculous

La Liga have confirmed that they are studying the possiblity of playing "one or two" league games in USA or China :anguish: :anguish:

I've only bought Barça kits, except for a PSG kit I bought in 1996 while holidaying in Paris. The ones I still own: Stoichkov 1994-1995 (not sure I still have this one, should check my parents' place) Vitor Baía 1996-1997 Figo 1997-1998 (yup, didn't burn it or anything) Rivaldo 1998-1999 Deco 2004-2005 Larsson (away) 2005-2006 Blank (away) 2006-2007 Iniesta 2007-2008 Eto'o 2008-2009 Xavi 2010-2011 Stopped buying kits after we got Qatar on the shirt.

Digging a little it seems he's retiring because of issues with his knee. That makes more sense.

He's only 31 Strange how his career when totally down the drain after moving to Liverpool. I thought he would be able to secure a contract in the Spanish second division.

Odegaard signs a new contract with Madrid. Totally forgot he existed.

Argentina are playing Perú at home and Ecuador away next. They *should* be fine... Chile has Ecuador at home but then Brazil away... The group is really tight though, only Bolivia and Venezuela are out, and only Brazil are in at this point. CONMEBOL qualifying being exciting for once.