Village Idiot

Seriously?? WTF is going on. i think we came bottom of this last year and now we are bottom again this? Something very fishy going on there. If you take out Everton and Tottenham who have one game less, you're second bottom in "positive play" - whatever that means - and bottom in "respect towards opponent" and "respect towards referees". Today's only the second NUFC game I watched this season (other was vs Spurs). Have you had any shenanigans/fisticuffs?

Interesting stat, apparently it's the first time Guardiola surrenders the top spot of La Liga.

What the hell's going on with David Villa, man? I've seen him play well perhaps twice in 2011. That's a bit of an exaggeration, he's certainly been patchy but has been quite key in several games since the season started. Can't wait to have Alexis back mind, we need more forward options.

The Sevilla goalie has had the game of his life, MOTM by one thousand miles. Sigh.

Yeah, gotta say that Madrid go for blood much more than we do, for example, but with two games a week from now until Christmas break it's sensible to take a breather when you're 4 up.

Málaga have wasted 200000000000000 chances this second half as Madrid - understandably - are taking it easy. Fancy them to score a couple goals in the last 20 min now.

Something that's happened these last 2-3 years, is that both Real Madrid and Barcelona now struggle more against small teams that are used to bunker down and defend, that against good sides that look to play open football. Just check where we both dropped points last season. Madrid against Osasuna, Sporting, Almería, Zaragoza... we against Levante, Hércules, Sporting... Sevilla the only big gun we dropped points against IIRC.

0-4 and first half hattrick.

Genuine question here; does it ever get a tad dull being comfortably the best of the best? Knowing that you're absolutely incredible and should win absolutely every single game you go into, must deter from the excitement/anticipation a bit? Obviously, i'm aware that you can turn it on its head and say it's the most exciting thing ever, looking forward to a masterclass every week. Just interested. The football is the best I have watched in my life, and wouldn't change it for anything. So just the expectation of that keeps me pumped all week. But the championship is - as you say - rather boring. Put it that way, I'd prefer the other teams to be stronger than both of us weaker, and regain some competitiveness.

Demichelis, how that guy has been an international footballer and played for Bayern still escapes me to this day.

Well, if we brush off Sevilla later tonight it will be a confirmation that we are in for another boring 30-week sprint between the two of us.

2-0 already. Meh, too easy.

Higuaín scores again. What a form he is in.

I have my doubts whether Obertan will ever click. He doesn't have a footballing brain. For some reason my brain blocked off Obertan when I thought about your French contingent Cabaye/Marveaux/Ben Arfa/Ba are a nice fit for each other, I think.

Exactly what I said to myself watching the game, 'ring rusty', still made the right moves and lightning quick passes at times. Aye, I particularly liked how easily made himself available to the player holding the ball. Marveaux too. All of a sudden you had passing lanes opening up and your play noticed it.

Watched the game, and I think you're giving HBA way too much stick. He's rusty, but did a lot of good work dragging defenders and undermining Wigan's composure at the back. Needs to find his rythm but he was an asset for you today.

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/match?id=318222&cc=5739 Best place I know for starts shortly after a match. Ben Arfa drew almost as many fouls as any other starter despite playing only half the match. That's the mark of a player that puts the opposition on the back foot.

Sporting go one up against Granada. Preciado's head is on the line after Gijon's horrid start of the season, so I hope they can get the win, I really like the guy.

Congratulations on the win, the difference between Europe and midtable is winning these games you're supposed to win, no matter how ugly

A penalty is just a foul inside the box. You can get fouled without the ball being involved.

Cabayé reminds me so much of Deco. Classy player that doesn't shirk of being a bit of a nasty cunt if need be.

Catalan left winger. Quick, somewhat tricky, not much else.

According to "As", Betis have turned down a €3m bid for their hot prospect Álvaro Vadillo (Betis manager Mel confirmed they have turned down an offer from the PL)

They do seem pretty s*** like, Wigan and Blackburn plus one of the 3 promoted teams will have something to say about it though in my opinion. I'm afraid they yet again will manage it by the skin of their teeth and torture the rest of us and knees and ankles all over England for a third season straight.

Tomorrow, in our new "compete with the PL" kick off time at noon, La Liga will delight crowds all over the world with Real Betis vs Rayo Vallecano.