Village Idiot

I was a goalie and played untucked. My manager wanted us to play with tucked in shirts but I always argued that with all the jumping and sliding for saves it came out on its own.

I remember once TV pundits in Spain went on strike and broadcasters showed all the games with ambient sound only. It was an improvement. I usually turn TV sound off and turn on the radio for commentary, since that is usually pretty great.

Interesting that we have way fewer retired footballers acting as pundits in Spain compared to England. The only one that had a decent spell at it was Míchel and he went on to become a successful manager since it was obvious he knew his shit.

FWIW Messi is an out-tucker.

We've only been waiting about 10 years man. Scott Parker? Always thought he was pretty good for you in that role.

If we can't we don't deserve trophies to be frank. Bilbao away it's the hardest game he'll miss, I reckon. Kazan away is troublesome of course, but shouldn't be a big deal to drop points there.

Messi only has a sprain, so he will be 10 days out. *massive sigh of relief*

I have family in Italy and for the life of me I wouldn't ever want to live there. As Luca says, incredibly beautiful place but very frustrating to live in.

Yeah, but ultimately his main attribute is his drive and how he takes games by the neck. And I can see how his "I am the best there is, and it's ME who'll win this game" attitude is behind that. I have the feeling if he was more of a team player he'd be more neutered in a way.

Noticing Madrid press starting to turn on Cronaldo regarding his selfishness. Wool falling from the eyes I guess. Wonder if Cronaldo could be unselfish and still be as good, though. It's his main drive.

Mmmm... Cigarini, Contini, Rossi (I guess)... yeah, not that many in Spain either. We have a shedload of Italian-Argentinians though (like Colo), but don't think those count.

Silva and Johnson can't be in the same lineup man, Mancini would get a stroke if he had to remove a DM.

Man, I really don't keep up with WWE that much. And a shame that, he was so great winding people up.

Iniesta has been clapped and cheered on all away grounds this season, it's pretty great

Now they are saying it looks like a 2 weeks out thing, pending scan.

And yes, I'm fucking gutted and I will be mashing F5 on www.elmundodeportivo.es as son as I wake up tomorrow.

Messi will be scanned tomorrow, but first reports are that he can stand on the ankle and walk, so they are hopeful at least it's not going to be a 123143 months injury. And I agree about the squad stuff, but Guardiola has been very stubborn about that (although I believe he's doing a Fergie and saying he has a great squad already because there's nee money to buy more).

As a player too or just as a manager? As manager. Always been a hard away fixture for us but we won there several times while he played.

Anyway, Atlético-Barça in a bit. Only La Liga pitch Guardiola has never won in, and this fixture is almost always a massive entertainer.

He should join WWE and make a tag-team with Randy Orton, he would be such a fantastic heel.

Macheda ahead of Owen in the pecking order. Heh.

Would love it if it ended up a 0-0 bore draw.

Shawcross pinball again.

Aye. He'll do well to come back from this, tbh. Crazy to think that the three keepers England has had in net for recent blunder now play for West Brom (yoyo club), the bottom team in the Premiership, and Bristol City. What? Howard plays for the USA

Man, would be funny if Wham win the day Grant takes a day off