Village Idiot

Also, I think the rule is fine. The way it played out at this ending seemed imperfect but we would open a big can of worms if we awarded automatic goals. Can be clear in this case, but it's not always going to be so clear that it was going in.

Also, how clueless did Abreu look? When they took Cavani out I thought "good sub" since Cavani was pretty ineffectual, but then they probably played with 10 men.

Wow, that's some dramatic s***, was supporting Uruguay but can't help feeling for Ghana going out in this way. Memorable round all the same. Still, Mensah's penalty

Goalkeeping in this WC

To be honest after the disallowed goal and then the first goal I thought that Holland would be raped. Surprised when I saw the second half.

Still, that was quick. Guess he couldn't be arsed to be driven off a cliff by the Brazil media.

Fallout for Dunga is going to be harsh, Brazil media and fans are pretty damn ruthless. I liked him a lot as a player, but I prefer Brazil to play like Brazil. They have won five of the goddamn things doing that.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WlBiLNN1NhQ

Which paper was that? El Mundo Deportivo. Our initial deal with City had an expiry date and it had passed without City handing the dough.

f*** yeah. No chance in hell we'd beat Brazil in a final (if we get there). Plus I love Holland and I didn't want this Brazil setup to succeed.

I admit that, despite not liking the way they have got where they have, I find myself cherishing the day they finish above ManU.

Gai Assulin has been released by Barça. He's had two bad seasons after impressing at youth level, but still think it was too early to give up on him. But obviously our coaches know more than I do.

Interesting, our press said yesterday that the Touré deal had fallen through. Suppose they agreed to the same terms. Don't like seeing him go, but obviously he wanted to play and can't object to that. He's probably going to be on twice the money at City (ludicrous to think that we are being out-waged for a club in the EL ). If it's for €32m as first said we can get a pretty decent replacement for him.

Absolutely love the picture Marca used to illustrate their piece about Dunga's answer to Cruyff http://estaticos04.marca.com/imagenes/2010/07/01/futbol/mundial_2010/selecciones/brasil/1278016211_extras_portada_0.jpg

I'd say L'Equipe hold a bit more validity in their claimed rumours than you think. Why? Because with all due respect and not wanting to patronize, you don't quite understand how these papers work, Gazetta, Marca and L'Equipe they are respectable sports papers, they aren't just Europe's equivalent of the Mirror and The Sun. They don't just pluck bollocks from a hat, if it's a foreign story they cite the original paper that claimed it too. I'm not saying they are a Government body with official press releases. But if they say we bid for him I'm inclined to believe it, more so considering it's not a sensational story. Aye, papers like Marca, Gazetta, Mundo Deportivo etc... are still real journalism. When they quote a transfer rumor, you can believe there's been at least some genuine interest, even if the transfer doesn't end up happening or a bid it's not placed. Of course, they sometimes quote tabloids and their random bollocks, but they clearly say so and you can disregard them.

Well yeah, but there's a signing on fee with everyone. The idea of a "free" is no transfer fee, not the contract. What I mean is that people coming on a free always command higher signing on fees, to compensate agents and player (that don't get the cut of a regular transfer).

Signing-on fee too, people on a free are actually rarely on a free.

I wonder it the cost varies from country to country. To do them here costs thousands. Costs slightly over 2000€ per level in Spain (3 levels total). Friend of mine is doing them.

Owen will be 32 by the time the next major tournament comes around. If he thinks he has a chance of making the squad as a forward he's deluding himself. Accept it, you're finished.

Owen

If Gerrard and/or Torres get sold, there's not a cat in hell's change that Hodgson will see much, if any, of the money. or Liverpool get 4th place.

Manolo Cáceres "El del bombo", the most famous Spanish football fan, has been forced to return to Valencia due to health problems. He had never missed a Spain match since 1982 (his wife abandoned him because of this, even). His drum is fucking annoying but can't stop loving the guy

Surprised Capello didn't pick Wes Brown, although I imagine his injury problems these last two seasons played a part. But way more solid than Johnson.

A common trick is when you are sitting on a bar table outside and you have your wallet/cell phone on the table. They come to you selling roses, newspapers, whatever and leave them on the table as they make the sales pitch. When you say no and they pick up their stuff they also pick your wallet.

I once bought a 40-year old liquor in a pakistani supermarket, for 0,5€. My stomach still remembers it