Village Idiot

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

The pakistani-owned supermarkets are supercheap and open late hours.

You can live, eat and party in Barcelona pretty cheaply tbf. Just go to the local places and avoid all the ex-pat/tourist oriented stuff. All the joints in el Barri Gòtic for example are hip-cool and look like the preferred spot for foreigners, but are overpriced as hell.

Madrid and Barcelona are terrible for pickpocketing/stealing. They expressly target foreigners too. Got a couple of wallets stolen myself.

I tried to take to the New York team when I moved here, went to games and shit, but never got the passion juices flowing. I admit it's hard.

Oh I'd not open a sports bar, a nice little place in the vein of Taller de Tapas will do for me and the Mrs. Great place that. Damn, I miss my city.

Brit community in Barcelona is great, I personally love them sports bars in Ciutat Vella.

He's 32 and past it. I could see it when you were in the CCC but certainly not in the PL. Mint player during his prime, mind, best one those f*****s ever produced.

CF Badalona (Spain third flight), since mom is from there and I actually played for them at youth level for a short while. Been to a lot of matches when I was a teen but nowadays I just check on them from time to time.

http://www.goal.com/en/news/1863/world-cup-2010/2010/07/01/2004165/world-cup-2010-diego-maradona-are-you-nervoushh