Village Idiot

Man, I'm an oldskool Barça fan, we are known to be utter pessimists. The new generations have it too good.

Very weak lineup from us tonight. Even weaker that against Betis. Hopefully we won't face the same scenario...

It seems that Madrid tried to force out Pedro León in deadline day after a training bustup with Fernando Gago. He is a very good winger, not Real Madrid level but certainly good enough to take you forward.

I know a lad who started supporting Barca when you were 's***' as such. Weird, but more acceptable than latching on say after you won a treble. Gotta say that our "s***" era saw us sink into the gaping abyss of finishing 6th and the unspeakable horror of not winning anything for five years. Years of watching Rochemback attempt to pick up a pass is something I wouldn't wish to an Espanyol fan though.

I accept fans from regions other than the club's own, mind. I still think they'd be better served if they supported Columbus Crew or Mumbai FC over Manchester United or Barça, since you just can't compare living in a community that breathes and lives that football team. Sports support is a community undertaking, you share it with others. But there's always an emotional connection to it even if you're not from there. You dislike us because as a kid we were cheaters in your eyes (I think I know the game you are refering to, the 1982 European Supercup? I have always had a slight irrational distaste for Villa since losing it), you loved Milan as a kid because they were great, I loved the Bulls as a kid because Jordan was the f***ing man. We are very impressionable as children and we can gain connections to distant clubs we should never care about for some strange reasons. I verily stand by my opinion that ultimately a true sports love isn't chosen.

http://worldcupsoccerfifa.com/am-i-a-glory-hunter-for-recently-starting-to-support-barcelona/ You don't f***ing chose what team to support. It choses you. Where were you when Fabio fucking Rochemback was our midfield maestro?

And yes, Barça gloryhunters make me sick and I can barely contain myself from punching them in the face when meeting them abroad, but we need them to pay Messi's wages.

I'm always amazed how people say that they were born/raised as a XXXXX fan, but they they say that they are now fans of this other team. I know part of it is due to relocation in such a large country (and schedules where your team may only play another team every 3-4 years), so they switch to the local team. Only a few teams seem to have transcendent fans that stick with their team through thick and thin. I think the "cult" teams are Green Bay Packers, Red Sox, the Cubs (although that's almost for comedy sake) and maybe the Steelers. Steelers seem to have a loyal fan base. Also one of the things I liked about American sport fandom is the loyalty to their college teams (I couldn't give a fuck what my uni team did to be honest).

I still own a Luís Figo Barça shirt, it's some sort of forbidden treasure for me. I even used to wear it around Madrid.

Now that Torres and Benítez are off all the fucking "Spanish Liverpool" wankage in our press will finally be over. ABOUT TIME.

I remember one of my first months in the USA, watching NBA Bulls-Lakers (Bulls getting fucking hammered) with some locals. Me: *expletives after yet another shit play by the Bulls* Yank: Hey, why are you getting so worked up? Me: Man, when I was a kid Michael Jordan was the fucking king of the world, Bulls are my NBA team and always will be. Yank: Here it doesn't work that way, just support somebody who isn't shit.

18 points from my only 2 players in FF tonight, I'm satisfied

Cesc pass, FF points for me

Still can't decide if I want Arsenal to win or lose. I guess losing pace on the league might deflate them a bit, but I can't really want Manchester United to win the PL.

Boss/Cuntish putdown towards his predecessors in charge today. When asked why the squad looked so tired he answered "Because several players are not used to play midweek games" (in reference to Madrid failing in cups for quite a few years)

I'm from Halmstad accually. They have a new spanish manager for this season who used to work for Espanyol. I'm guessing it's his contacs that has made these transfers possible. Might just go to a couple of games this season just to see these guys... Ooooh, Clotet is their manager? What a strange place the world is. Did a very good job for Espanyol. Yup, Clotet. He bought some other guy that used to play for Espanyol aswell. Ivan Diaz I think his name was. You have any idea who he is? 32 yers old I think. Remember him sitting on the bench of Espanyol in the early 2000s. He went on to have a career in our lower tiers but I can't say much about him I'm afraid.

He was expected to be the hell's bells a couple years ago. Had an ACL, has been average since he came back. In my opinion he'll be completely out of his depth. Should have waited a bit before moving, but I understand it was an offer hard to resist.

I'm from Halmstad accually. They have a new spanish manager for this season who used to work for Espanyol. I'm guessing it's his contacs that has made these transfers possible. Might just go to a couple of games this season just to see these guys... Ooooh, Clotet is their manager? What a strange place the world is. Did a very good job for Espanyol.

Actually after talking to a Real Madrid friend he reckons all 3 of them are pretty average so don't get your hopes up too much. I guess they are being put in the shopping window.

Real Madrid loaned 3 of their youth prospects to Halmstad.

Charlie Adam behaved like an absolute cunt this transfer window. You were nobody 18 months ago, surely you can wait for the summer to get a move and help Blackpool stay up.

Aren't Barca facing a problem with Dani Alves trying to hold the club to ransom Aye, and I back the board on this, as much as I'd HATE losing Dani. But we can't pay a defender €8m per year. What would Piqué or Puyol think?

I'm under no illusions anymore regarding football. Pretty damn sure our local lads would poof off somewhere else if we couldn't pay them €6m a year like we do.

And it's not Carroll alone. Other players might feel they deserve better wages after seeing this happening. Why would Barton agree to lower his salary after performing so well when you're raising Carroll's twice in a season? Or José Enrique will want a raise too when extending his contract.

To be honest that makes them more dangerous in view of Saturday's game. They always raise their standard against us and they're now truly desperate for a win. Cracking game for sure And I'll be out of town because of work