Village Idiot

No, it isn't. It's a great volley but I see several like those across all leagues throughout the season. The northern irish lad's goal was probably a fluke, but I had never seen that before for sure.

Gotta say the goal selection was a bit dodgy to begin with. Not to say he should have won it, but that wasn't even Messi's best goal this year and pretty sure there are some other goals that didn't get selected. Altintop's goal was rather "ordinary" as great goals go.

so 2 controlled awards rather than 1 controlled 1 independant, lovely......... The new voting system can be poorly thought out, but hardly "controlled". Don't think Blatter has called every NT captain and manager and told them whom to vote (and if he did they would have told him to fuck off).

I read that Platini doesn't like the new format and will resurrect the "old" Ballon d'Or as a best European player award.

Talk about it enough and it might, just might happen! One thousand Harry Redknapps working a thousand typewriters will end tapping up every player on Earth. I didn't know Spain were so behind that you guys are still using typewriters? Duh? What else is there?

Talk about it enough and it might, just might happen! One thousand Harry Redknapps working a thousand typewriters will end tapping up every player on Earth.

To be frank, I really rated Owen at the time and was glad to see him leave Real Madrid. Thought you had pulled a great coup.

Since we are talking of Tim Howard, anybody else fan of "You are the ref" strip at The Guardian? I love it. http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/SPORT/Pix/pictures/2011/1/6/1294312554287/Tim-Howard-003.jpg http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2011/jan/07/1#

It's like he is one of those talking dolls. Every time you squeeze his arm, he taps up a player.

We also had the same pattern (we usually share shirt designs with Atlético) for our treble season. It's pretty nice from time to time to change a stripped shirt for a half/half one I think. Although in Atlético's case this shirt is an homage to the club's origins and Blackburn Rovers

Love that Atlético away kit

Sometimes it just feels like he's taking the piss to wind people up

The "problem" with Spain (and I quote it because we won the thing afterall) was that Del Bosque was rather conservative. We played with two DMs - Alonso and Busquets - which forced Xavi to go to the hole where he isn't nearly as effective since he needs to have more players in front of him to play balls to, or switch flanks, etc... Contrary to common belief and assist statistics, Xavi isn't about the last pass to a forward but governing the team play. I think you agreed with me but I'm not sure. Personally, I thought Villa was Spain's best player. And if Fabregas had started every match in place of Alonso (and thus allowing Xavi to drop back), he would have been Spain's best player. But that's just a silly hypothetical, I know. Yes, I agreed with you, just wanted to ellaborate further. And I also agree about Villa and Cesc. We always looked better with a more Barça-like formation of Xavi behind a more AM-ish central midfielder (Iniesta or Cesc in this case). Regarding Villa, it wasn't only his goals (which were key still), but his constant runs from wide and mobility. Villa's off the ball movement is just out of this world, really.

The "problem" with Spain (and I quote it because we won the thing afterall) was that Del Bosque was rather conservative. We played with two DMs - Alonso and Busquets - which forced Xavi to go to the hole where he isn't nearly as effective since he needs to have more players in front of him to play balls to, or switch flanks, etc... Contrary to common belief and assist statistics, Xavi isn't about the last pass to a forward but governing the team play.

Dunno, the other British nations are hopeless nowadays. At least Scotland were a good team 20 years ago.

Robben was better than Sneijder in the WC, and he's nowhere to be seen in the lists. Again, he was only one game away to achieve everything Sneijder has.

Man, you really are taking this award waaaaay to seriously. Laugh to the bank with the 3 trophies that were worth wining this season

This is the kind of thing you talk in training, in private. Singling out players in public, unless they have shit attitude, it's a big no.

Great windup

1. Messi 22,65% 2. Iniesta 17,36% 3. Xavi 16,48% 4. Sneijder 14,48% 5. Forlán 7,61% 6. Cristiano Ronaldo 3,92% 7. Iker Casillas 2,90% 8. Villa 2,25% 9. Drogba 1,68% 10. Xabi Alonso 1,52% 11. Puyol 1,43% 12. Eto'o 1,37% 13. Ozil 1,21% 14. Robben 1,16% 15. Müller 0,91%

So did Casillas. Probably they voted for Robben/Sneijder which voided the vote but at least didn't hurt their chances.

If you're curious, here's the pdf with all the votes: http://estaticos.marca.com/deporte/futbol/palmares_balon_oro_2011/jugadores.pdf Need to find if a full recount is available.

When the Spanish Cup ties were single-game, we had an interesting rule: the game would always be at the stadium of the lowest placed team at the moment of the draw. They do that in the French Cup if a pro team gets a lower league team. That's one of the reasons the Cup had so many upsets when it was under this format. Take Barça or Madrid to play in a small shitty Segunda B pitch and get personal with them, and you can make them struggle.

When the Spanish Cup ties were single-game, we had an interesting rule: the game would always be at the stadium of the lowest placed team at the moment of the draw.

And my pick is Maldini.