Village Idiot

21st?

Always been a fan, but was great this weekend: Pablo Piatti.

Just saw an interview with Almería keeper Diego Alves, one of the best goalies in La Liga who has 9 penalties stopped out of the last 16. The guy revealed how he painfully researches every attacking player of the opposition team and his quirks and tendencies, he went into detail on how Kanouté runs and tends to shoot. Top pro, wonder how many keepers actually do that

We've always been at war with Eastasia. We've always loved José Enrique.

that's really out of order, Benzema is a really talented young player you just needs faith and confidence shown in him but when i see him play lately he looks s*** scared of making a mistake and is always looking towards the bench in fear of Jose. Mourinho is an amazing manager but thats a souness-like comment there. He doesn't care, he's getting a new striker in a couple of weeks anyway. He backpedalled later, saying that when he said "playing with the cat" he meant playing with a 451 since he only had a striker, and was less aggressive than the 442 "dog" tactic. Also, last ITK infro from the Madrid rags say that the board has told Mou there won't be another striker, unless Higuaín's injury is more serious than expected.

The few games I have seen of you this season I have liked this guy a lot. A lot of these physically gifted DMs sometimes try too hard to be the hero player chasing the ball all over the pitch just because they can (hello Diarra, hello Touré Yaya, hello Palacios), or running forward when in possession. This dude just goes about his business, very Makelele-like. Sits in midfield, wins ball, lays it off. Simple. Love how he keeps possession for your team in a delicate area.

Guti's video drunken punching people in the street was glorious http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qozZfkGKd3Y

Uh? Didn't know FC Barcelona had a vote in the FIFA ex committee Guardiola had close ties with the bid though.

Really not sure Fat Sam will go to Wham. I don't think he will risk a relegation, probably will wait out for a spot in something more midtableish.

These owners seem utter mentalists.

"a worldwide brand"

If you're looking for a patch until June, you could, but I really wouldn't go around signing 30+ year old strikers, with both currently having not very good seasons. Atlético are monumentally broke, if you offered money for Forlán they would sell. He's 31 and at some point they have to cash in. Nilmar or Rossi would be better punts. Villarreal are hardly awash with money (they are the size of a Wigan afterall) and Rossi has been making sounds of wanting to jump a level.

Cronaldo and David López's strikes this weekend made me realize we were going through a FK goal drought in La Liga. I checked some stats and sure enough, only 9 freekick goals have been scored so far this season. I also get the impression that there aren't that many FK goals in the Premiership either... am I wrong or are we going through a drought of great specialists?

I rate Manuel Fernandes, but Emery is a weird animal. He's a bit MONesque in regard that if you get in his naughty list, you won't see much on the pitch. As for under the radar La Liga strikers... Nelson Valdez, I'd say. Osvaldo is also doing well for Espanyol, despite their ultradefensive setup, he's been a danger and has a great sense for finding space. Not sure either are good enough for where you want to go though. Trezeguet is also doing wonderfully well, but he's old and I guess he couldn't cope in a more physical league.

There are no figures mentioned in the articles in the Spanish press. I haven't seen nothing on the Almeida transfer apart from a Marca article, but the Fernandes and Simao ones are confirmed (Simao had 6 months remaining so he costed a pittance for sure). Valencia have long been trying to get rid of Fernandes too. EDIT: Updated info on Fernandes, apparently it's a loan with a purchase option.

Benzema on his way out then? No, Higuaín is injuried and it may be long term. Mou already said in preseason that he wanted 3 strikers in the squad anyway. But depending on the stature of the signing he would drop to third choice.

Vassell-esque welcoming for Fernandes, too. http://www.bjk.com.tr/tr/medya.php?rn=31556 http://www.bjk.com.tr/tr/medya.php?rn=31558

Yes, Manuel Fernandes.

Today it's the tenth anniversary of Messi's signing for Barça. Reixach you lazy cunt, you're forgiven all your sins for scouting him

Besiktas stacking up on Portuguese, Fernandes and Hugo Almeida join Simao as January signings for them. Marca reporting that Real Madrid have asked Dortmund about Lucas Barrios.

There's been a surge in Spanish people addicted to wow with the new expansion. Some people I'd have never thought have confessed to me they are hooked.

West Ham tbh, they're still banging on about the bullshit "West Ham way" 35 years later. Bunch of deluded cretins. But... they won the World Cup!

That's what Del Bosque's Spain lacked. He was too conservative (fair enough, he won us the damn cup) and we never commited so many midfield players into the last third as Barça or Madrid do. So our passing didn't really go anywhere.

Lass had a great game. I expect him to start for Madrid regularly again. His biggest weakness has always been tactical indiscipline (he tries to do too much) and if somebody can hammer some sense into him on that regard is José Mourinho. When I saw Alves in the f***ing central striker position for Messi's goal I had a total football-gasm. On the Alves point, that goal was absolutely outstanding. Was it three one-twos between them? He was in the six yard box by the time Villa tucked in that first goal too. The mazy dribble he went on at another point (when he had chances to do his usual long shot but faked it two/three times instead) was awesome as well. I know it's "easy" when you have such a world-class team to play with your fullbacks so advanced and with a defensive midfielder dropping in to turn the backline into a wide three, but man it's beautiful to watch. I love how the fullback position is becoming so, so key these days. They are regularly the players who spend the most time on the ball/get the most touches of the ball in any given match (even in the slightly lower levels of English football) and so when you get a particularly good one who can actually do something with that opportunity and contribute to much to the attacking schema of a team, it makes me a happy happy man. It's beautiful isn't it? Commiting your fullbacks allows your wingers to cut in while keeping width and crossing options while packing the box with players that are going to stretch and confuse their backline. Plus they are great counterattacking outlets. You can do so much with a good/great fullback.

Lass had a great game. I expect him to start for Madrid regularly again. His biggest weakness has always been tactical indiscipline (he tries to do too much) and if somebody can hammer some sense into him on that regard is José Mourinho. When I saw Alves in the f***ing central striker position for Messi's goal I had a total football-gasm.