Village Idiot

We had to sub Puyol out due to a knock and then Xavi because he can't play 90 mins too often these days, so we only had one "bedding in" sub and Guardiola went with Bojan to try to give him some confidence after being criticized a lot lately. Afellay has looked handy and was the only good thing to come out of the Betis game, but his movement is still out of tune with the rest of the squad. Needs more time to absorb our tactics.

But that just highlights another strength. Your 'main' players are seemingly incredibly fit. Very few injury problems. We are walking on the edge of the razor though. One of Puyol/Piqué goes out for a significant amount of time and we have to put Milito (woeful this season) or an out of position Abidal at CB. One of Xavi/Iniesta drops and we are stuck with Keita (decent player but not a creative force), and we have Bojan as our *only* backup forward. The signing of Afellay is meant to supplement our options in midfield and the wings.

Yes, we are vulnerable to good counters but I'd say that's more a tactical "weakness" (and that's inevitable when you play with a high defensive line) that not having good players in that position.

None. Our lack of depth is usually pointed as our main weakness, something I'd agree on.

This kind of video ads/banter for big games is pretty common stuff in Spain, though, so Sevilla aren't really out of the line here. This is the one we did for the home leg of the CL's semifinal last year:

"Marca" reporting that Hamburg are asking €4m for RvN (Marca themselves reported the previous €2m bid had been accepted two days ago, mind).

Iván Campo was a shit CB, amongst the worst I have seen wear the Spain shirt. Cult hero/laughingstock in here. People were amazed he could salvage a career as DM.

Slightly cringeworthy video Sevilla have released to promote their semi home tie against Real Madrid http://vimeo.com/19070177 It's the shitty voiceover guy who does it for me, although probably not as funny if you don't understand Spanish

Tottingham linked again with Forlán in our press today, citing him as 'Arry's scouting target the other day.

We seem more subdued lately, which I'm fine with if it means we'll hit top gear come March (and beat Arsenal in February). I'm also satisfied with so many people chipping in again. There was a lot of times last year that we genuinely looked a one-man team with Messi being everything.

Dunno, but the Spanish FA certainly gives much more leverage on this matter. We get yellows for people taking off their tops, but most other stuff gets a pass (this week Cronaldo told the Atlético fans to shut up after scoring, for example).

Rooney's been playing decent, but his confidence in front of goal seems to be shot. I don't know if it's the miss you're alluding to, but I saw him miss a point blank header that was just embarrassing.

7 games, late winner, refereeing drama. This has been a class game

Can't wait for the fallout of this game

Typical Baptista goal that. The Beast is back. Epic if Málaga salvage a point of this game.

Málaga playing some classy stuff despite being one man down. Glad to see Pellegrini managing a proper team again

The rule is idiotic, but you have to be downright stupid to get sent off for this when you're already on a yellow.

Demichelis sent off after 15 minutes against Valencia.

Rochina from us to Blackburn for 1m. Was very highly rated a couple years ago but injuries have curtailed his development and he hasn't been the same player since coming back. He's still young though, I'm surprised we are giving up on him so early but apparently the player wanted to go.

that a Spanish term is it? --- Pompey forgotten to pay the bills. Floodlights off. I picked it up in this place, it's improving my knowledge of the English language.

Oooopps. Sorry.

By the way you spackers, you are on 32 points. Stop watching what relegation threatened teams are doing.

Tell me it wasn't for the goal celebration or something

A little pulled hamstring around February would be fine tho

Rooney couldn't score in a brothel nowadays. Oh wait, he could.