Village Idiot

They don't really swap numbers, Xavi has worn #8 for Spain way before Iniesta wore #8 for Barça. Xavi couldn't pick #6 for Spain due to veteran precedence (and it was owned by none other than longtime captain Fernando Hierro). Xavi chose to keep #8 after Hierro retired and later on Iniesta went on to pick #6 (Euro 2008 I think). Dunno why Xavi keeps #8 though, I suppose it has some sentimental value to him as the number he used when he became a Spain regular.

Aye right. They still kept signing the Veróns and Ferdinands of the world while doing that, though. They don't anymore.

Yeah, he's been amazing this season. How will the cope without him? That's it though. He's gone missing this season and Man U are struggling to win games as it is. Only because of their defence though they havent really struggled to score goals. Rooney has been shit and that's seen them placing 4th tied with Spurs. They do need him. It's not only goalscoring, he's all over the pitch when he's on form. Interesting to see ManU losing Tévez, Cronaldo and Rooney in such quick succession. Still wonder where he'll end up. Can see Florentino getting all wet right now, though.

ManU are fucked then.

Mcmanaman didn't give it too bad a shot like. Real Madrid La Liga: 2000–01, 2002–03 Supercopa de Espana: 2001, 2003 UEFA Champions League: 2000, 2002 UEFA Super Cup: 2002 UEFA Super Cup Runners Up: 2000 Only was a key contributor in his first season there, though. Galáctico policy put him on the bench when Pérez arrived. Gary Lineker was my first footballing idol and won some stuff with us (was la liga's top goalscorer once too), was ultimately sold by Cruyff after he couldn't adapt to his playing style. Steve Archibald was also very popular until he was sold due to tightening of restrictions on foreign players. Laurie Cunningham was (I think) Real Madrid's first black player and had a pretty good stint until he pulled a Marcelino on them. He played for a couple more Spanish clubs until his death. Michael Robinson played for Osasuna, and has been a popular pundit for years in Spain. That's the ones I can think of that had good/decent stints down here.

Just found out starting this season you can get married at the Camp Nou. Amongst the amenities are the possibility of having trophies displayed during the wedding banquet. Always wanted to drink champagne off the big eared one...

Jonas to Newcastle Otherwise, I always wonder who'll open that can of worms.

Indeed, Arsenal do have achieved playing excellence, but - as ManCity is going to prove this or in the following years - to win you have to spend.

I think so, yes. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fashion_capital#Fashion_Capitals_Rankings_.282010.29 Doesn't that just mean that you've got more Derek Zoolanders than Madrid? Not sure I'd be proud about that tbh Any table kind of thing that lists us above Madrid gets my seal of approval Plus that means we have more hot posh dressed chicks going around too.

http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/owner-insists-he-will-not-throw-money-at-liverpool-2109459.html That's worked for Arsenal indeed.

I think so, yes. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fashion_capital#Fashion_Capitals_Rankings_.282010.29

She had some "legit" claim to fame prior to marrying David though. And she's been pretty smart at building up her celeb WAG status.

Would also give a lift to our struggling brothels.

They are in financial trouble though arnt they? Not in financial trouble, but cash flow problem. I'm sure they would be able to get the finance if they could to sign him though. We could, certainly. But I can't see us splashing for both Cesc and Rooney next season. Rooney is exactly the kind of player we need right now, though.

Still can't believe it to be true. Where would he go anyway? Real Madrid is my guess since Mou doesn't care about Benzema and wants another #9, don't think we could outdo them in a bidding war.

Makes me cry to see him on the bench and Milner on the pitch.

Love the "might as well have some fun while we are in the PL" mentality of Blackpool.

I my role as a football fan was questioned for spelling Shankly wrong the other day by a Liverpool fan. So I suggested that perhaps Shankly wasn't significant to people outside of Liverpool - I'm surprised the internet didn't explode. Always been suprised how Liverpool fans go on and on and on and on about Shankly while they don't seem to talk that much about Paisley. I'm aware that Shankly was the more charismatic/egotastic of the two, but still...

Though calendar however, they have already played ManU, Arsenal, ManCity and Everton. They have looked poor but they have room to make it up.

Barça had their general assembly yesterday, where accounts - including the due diligence made after the new board took over - where presented. They confirm €79m in losses and set our debt at €430m. In a dead-heat vote, the general assembly asked the club to take the former board to court regarding our losses. Sometimes democracy is just bad.

Right, give him the England job and let him show the world what he can do. Sometimes he just sounds like The Rock http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xF7iX868Nzc&feature=related

It has sorta happened with clubs relegated due to financial reasons. Current Málaga are actually the former Málaga B.

What would happen if Barca were ever to suffer relegation and Barca B were in the Segunda already, VI? Seeing as they're not allowed in the same league. In that case the B team gets relegated. It happened the year Atlético got relegated. If they finished top of Segunda, and Barca bottom of La Liga, could the 'B' team be in a higher league than the 'A' team? No, both would get relegated so Barça would play in Segunda and Barça B in Segunda B. Man, I feel uneasy writing this...

I was too young too see it, but he is famous for a Cádiz - Barça game where he was initially left out after showing up late for the game. After we went up 0-3 he was introduced and scored and assisted twice to make it 4-3 to them.

He does ! I bet he calls his chair a pet name as well. Something like "Betty" The electric chair in Texas used to be called "Old Sparky", don't know if it's the same still in use though.