Village Idiot

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B_1vbtkp5t8

Marca running a piece "how to stop Bobby Zamora?" with an interview with Cuéllar, like they were talking about f***ing Cronaldo or Messi. Man, I'm enjoying the buildup to this immensely, now watching some interviews with Atlético fans by the stadium, such a funny bunch.

Fun stat from the Spanish TV: Fulham has had less managers in their entire 131 year history that Atlético had under Jesús Gil

It seems that top English clubs just won't sign an English manager nowadays. The only way is going abroad like Hodgson, Sir Bobby and now McLaren did. No English manager has ever won the Premier League, right? Says it all. Although Chelsea and Liverpool are the only contenders that have switched managers these years. But even ManCity have an Italian now.

Napoli? Strong regional identity, very passionate following (I think they broke Serie C attendance records), largely unsuccessful bar Maradona's spell. Relegation and financial trouble in recent years...

The Brazilian chick is Julio César's wife and former Ronaldo girlfriend, isn't she?

And Germany and Argentina are Adidas, the country selection has nothing to do with kit maker. Mmmm... now that I think of it maybe they just selected WC winning nations, so that's why Uruguay is in there too. A bit odd, though.

No Spain

not surprised at all. He's a bit of a favorite of Dunga's (took him to Gold Cup/Copa America)as he can play in midfield and attack , and has always been in Dunga's squads. He also happens to be dating Dunga's daughter (a la Aguero and Maradona's daughter) Aha! Cherchez la femme indeed.

I admired him immensely as a player, I hope he gets a decent profile job and can rebuild his career. Spanish press is linking Gregorio Manzano for the Wham job.

I'm somewhat surprised to see Julio Baptista make the squad. Guess I should watch more Calcio, how has he been for Roma this year?

Unbelievable that anyone would compare NUFC to this great club - they leave us standing when it comes to trophies, ability to sign top players and world-wide renown. Maybe Athletic Bilbao are similar - very regional passionate support and win very little ; they also sell their best players...! Bilbao are a very successful club, it's just that their adherence to their principles have prevented them from continuing this success in this day and age. They have won 8 leagues and 23 cups, fourth and second best in Spain respectively, and are one of only 3 clubs to have always been at the top flight.

Newcastle United is tied with Colón, Estudiantes, Liverpool, Bayern and Inter as the highest contributors to the Argentine squad

Did he silence his critics by being so utterly wank that they ran out of breadth and died?

That would be a fun exercise, actually. Palop Zanetti G. Milito XXXX José Enrique Nasri Cambiasso Arteta Young Benzema Pato Need another CB, and probably a different goalie (Palop's good but hardly a surprise he's been left out).

Again, Cambiasso not being in the squad is hardly a surprise, mental decision or not. Maradona has never liked him and has been quite open about that.

I finally was able to get into the Argentine FA website, who's been down all the afternoon, and I can confirm that's the list. http://www.afa.org.ar/

I am not familiar with Liverpool's situation to know if that RAWK thread is an accurate reflection of their finances or the OP is a gloom and doom merchant, but it does look really dire. David Moores wikipedia entry is pretty bitter... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Moores

He can claim to have taken France to a WC final when nobody gave a toss for them.

I think he meant the decision of leaving them out is shocking, not the players themselves.

Can somebody post that France squad? Can't find it and I want to laugh a bit at Domenech.

Wow. That's surprising. Heh, he's had a poor season, but not even the preliminary squad?

My reading skills are letting myself down lately

Spain tried to get Dani Alves to do a Senna and play for us

That's a shabby forward line for the US. My god.