Village Idiot

I think we'll try to get more money out of him that you should pay, I think.

I think that Inter will play for the 0-0 and try to ambush us at the Camp Nou. They can hurt us in the counter, of course.

Not really. We don't have any good rightback in the youth squad. Rochina and Bojan (strikers) aren't going anywhere so soon, same with Dos Santos or Thiago (centremids), the others that we are going to offload I don't think are good enough for top level. The only players with a decent amount of quality that I see us selling are Botía, who I see doing a job in a lower half Premiership team. He's a strong centreback, can also play as DM. Currently on loan at Sporting where he's having a decent season. We could probably sell Jeffren too, but I don't think he would be of much use to you, he's very much a La Liga player. Hleb is still our player too... probably an "anciènne régime" signing though (big name, high wages, possibly past it).

Seol and Rosenior between Fulham and Reading if im not mistaken. It's much more common in Spain and Italy (Eto'o part of Zlatan deal one example). Well, they probably happen a bit more often but they are not really *that* common. I think there's more talk about them than anything. What happens is that player agents hate these kind of deals since they get a much lesser cut (that's why Eto'o didn't want to go to Inter unless he got a sign on fee, and is currently suing Barça for a cut of the transfer).

Oh, I vaguely remember that (I was a wee kid). Wasn't it 1982 though? Urruti was the keeper.

Didn't the 18m for Johnson include money indebted from Crouch's transfer that was as good as lost due to Pompey's situation?

Robbie Keane to Villa, according to the Mirror (I know, I know...) http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/news/Transfer-news-Aston-Villa-target-9m-summer-deal-for-Tottenham-ace-article358661.html

Torres' injury is pretty serious, I wouldn't read anything into his decision to get surgery at this point. If anything, I think he's playing it safe for the WC. Liverpool are shit this year, more so are Atlético. Even Torress-less I think the scousers have the edge. Even if you might think that Atlético's European form is good, just take a look how they made the final: crashed out of the CL and then proceeded to win a single game (2-1 against Galatasaray) of the 6 they played to get the final. Everything else have been draws against Benfica and Valencia, which saw them through on away goals. Of course Liverpool are utterly toothless without Torres...

Can't wait for this one, won't be easy and the team started to look tired against Espanyol. I don't really hate Inter, always been my favorite Italian team (because of the HH/Luís Suárez connection). So I hope they go and win the whole thing if we lose (which they probably would against Bayern/Lyon). Also, here in the USA I don't find many people supporting us, quite the contrary, I get jeered a lot of the time I wear my Barça shirts. I think it's because most of the EPL gloryhunters resent us defeating ManU/Arsenal/Chelsea in the past 12 months.

How could a woman manage to be fat and yet titless?

Congratulations magpies, it always feels good

Still intending to honor this, now that you have met your part of the bargain.

Enrique to score a hattrick and avenge us http://www.sheppardsoftware.com/images/Europe/factfile/Spanish_Armada.jpg

Well, better stamina helps with your technique not decaying throughout a 90 minute game. Fresher legs, better focus... And modern football is so much athleticism-driven that you just can't deny the advantages of doping.

Still can't see how an appetite suppressant can be such a big deal, but I guess it's banned for a reason. A footballer in a pro club shouldn't self-medicate, although I can't stop feeling sorry for the guy.

He got his ban today. 9 months. http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2010/apr/19/adrian-mutu-drug-ban

Yes, I watched this game(and enjoyed it)with a great deal of interest - not just because Arsenal had a chance to get back into the title race and blew it, but mainly to see how we would look against sides we need to beat to stay up...i.e.. Wigan. I was not encouraged by what I saw...although you cannot really judge on one game, Wigan looked a definite class ahead of the current NUFC side ; they were committed, more mobile, had speed in the areas that mattered(i.e. mainly up front where we are slow) and generally had Arsenal on the ropes even though the Gunners got into a 2 goal lead(which NEVER looked safe). Yes, Wigan had a stroke of luck with the equalizer after Almunia made a mess of what should have been a simple take, but they deserved at least a draw for their possession and attacking play - N'Zogbia was his usual mixture of brilliance & frustration, but he caused them endless problems with his pace and directness. He really should have had more than 1 goal, but what a beauty it was, deserving if winning any match.... Unless we get at least 2 players with pace & skill, one in midfield and another up front, we are going to look pedestrian in the top flight against all but about 3 sides. It was Fabianski on goal today, Almunia doesn't have the exclusive on goalkeeping awfulness at Arsenal.

And he's completely bending the facts, the strike - which had already been called off when he gave that interview - was on behalf of players not being paid are in clubs in administration in our third and fourth flights, not the top division. Bitter c***. If Silva starts shooting more, he'll be unstoppable.

There goes my private FF league title challenge.

A bit sad indeed. Wasn't like that just 4-5 years ago. Putting aside the fact that my horse races in la liga, I have taken more joy watching the PL or the CL this year

His goalscoring record at non-senior level looks very good.

And customary Carew - Heskey sub at min 70. Watching Villa games must be like Groundhog Day sometimes.

Bigger fish will go for him if Arsenal is willing to sell. Us and Atlético for starters.

Oh well, that sucked.

Aye, thats 50 villages without their idiots today. Such unprofessionalism.