Village Idiot

Shit has hit the fan at Rayo Vallecano. Their manager has quit after being asked to lower his wages (him and the players are owed several months), and the squad has threatened to mutiny. Sad, since I have a soft spot for them. I was two steps from Vallecas when I lived in Madrid.

Was quite amused to see most Spanish newspapers putting Liverpool among the title favorites in all their PL specials today (alongside the current top 4). They manage to keep such a good reputation.

Who will be missing for Barca? Puyol, Maxwell are out, Busquets and Piqué are doubts. Dunno if Pep will start all the south-american players (Alves, Messi, Alexis) that have only been training since Monday. Fábregas is out too

Heck, we were linked with him a few weeks ago. NUFC beating us to a player

Still can imagine Arsenal pulling the plug out of spite. I'm a chronic pessimist, I told you!

Supercopa first leg tomorrow by the way (why do we still play this crap over two legs?). Should be exciting.

No idea if you will be able to get a full refund (I think you would, but you never know), but I still think it won't go ahead. Too much money at stake.

Won't count my chickens regarding Cesc (everyone says it's said and done but no official confirmation) until I see the pitch & shirt photo.

They never actually called for it before, just "threatened". I still think it won't happen.

FWIW Nelson Valdez seems to be #1 replacement for Espanyol if Osvaldo leaves, and has refused all other offers he's had so far (dunno why he fancies that scum so much).

Well, it has happened. The Spanish Footballers Association has called to strike the first two weeks of La Liga. Still expect some sort of deal to be reached and the strike called off.

Love Tuncay myself, hope he does well for you.

Seems like it. The +6 will be payed if Barca wins to league titles and one CL-title during the term of Fabregas's contract. Cesc will accept to earn €1m less than our scale per year of contract, which we will add to the transfer fee. That's how it is reported here.

Wonder what kind of wages will he get, Wimbledon chairman was the other day babbling about running a no-debt structure.

Sahin was entering his last year and didn't want to resign.

So I signed up for this Bantr thing and it only allows you to select PL teams to be a fan of. Meh. Just to take a peek I signed as NUFC fan (I'm a plastic). Not much to do yet but we'll see where it goes.

Athletic did that last year too, in their testimonial for Etxeberría. Also on youtube.

Saw Lens in the Europa League against Benfica previous season. Pretty average if you ask me..Physical and quick, but his technique is not at all good enough for PL. He was pretty much invisible the two matches I saw . His partner on the left wing, Balázs Dzsudzsák, was on the other hand very good..Quick, good technique, hard working and his contributions into the box were also great. He's now playing for the Russian club Anzhi Makhachkala btw.. Oh, Dzsudzsák I like a lot, although he's not that productive as his general play should enable him to be. But he's ungettable right now. I wonder when one of those oligarch-fueled Russian clubs is going to leave a mark in the CL.

Meh, Toivonen has looked pretty average every time I have seen him. I would rather get Lens if you are to fish from that lot, although he probably wouldn't come as cheap. He's a tall striker, not as slow as you might figure but not particularly mobile.

FWIW regarding that supposed Keirrison "interest", talk now in Barcelona is that we won't loan or sell him this season, and will be part of our B squad.

All Argie internationals that played in Copa América were back in training today. Messi and Mascherano started training for us too.

Isn't he the current first choice LB for Netherlands?

Our Skysports equivalent has made this promo featuring that crazy Icelandic team with the ellaborate goal celebrations: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CDLrN6arBq8

Pretty sure Sulejmani was already linked with moves away on the cheap last season, although he's restablished himself somewhat since then. EDIT: Nixon explained it better.

You asked a few pages back about Rodríguez and I answered you. Box-to-box midfielder (seems they see him as a DM in the future), physically very powerful, great engine, but with good technique also. One of those players you still can't be sure if he's good because he's bigger than the other kids or if he really has it. But he is highly rated by them. Pozo is very highly rated by them too. Again, good to see you are getting new targets for your poaching. I'll sit back and relax when RM go all Cesc on you in a few years