Village Idiot

Is Albert Crusat usually this good? He was promising, but turned out to be pretty average. He seems to have found his place at Almería though, he's one of their more important players. All Madrid right now, guess they'll score any moment.

Almería are such an entertaining side under Lillo, for both good and bad reasons

Actually I was about to post that if you are watching the game keep an eye on Piatti. Not linked to moves yet but he's one of the half a dozen of "New Messis" that come out that place every year and has done well for Almería. Great workrate.

Real Madrid hasn't won there since 1981. of course Almería has only been three seasons in the top flight since then but who cares

Stephen Defour has been linked to half of Europe's top clubs, hasn't he? Distinctly recall Real Madrid having him as backup to Xabi Alonso. Pretty sure Liège won't let him go for an affordable fee, particularly given the money they got from the likes of Fellaini.

I saw his Valencia play with three defensive mids. He won the league with the lowest goalscoring tally since we play 38 games a season!

Metzelder is on a free but everything points out to a return to Germany. I assume his wages will be Madrid-tastic.

Latest gossip reports seem to confirm that Iker Casillas has finally won Spain's most prized trophy: http://api.ning.com/files/nt02pgpm-KdSOsj2OeDhzBE-C9IeFrXhP3R4L6cKX0H6ta20-hGJG*bDMh55mpwUoJaiWKnFF2l*GZ3lZ2bEVlS1s3Zn*J9b/saracarbonero.jpg Sara Carbonero. Beats our treble tbf

Thought I'd share some from Spain: This is the most popular Barça chant... (apart from the anthem) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EVjdyS_9lPw&feature=related Translated: 1899, the club I bear in my heart is born blue and crimson are the colors... FC Barcelona! Lolololololololo FC Barcelona! (ad libitum) This one of my favorite La Liga chants, it was created by the fans of Cádiz (one of the best set in the land), last time they were in the top flight. They looked utterly hopeless and relegation certainties since Day one, but they'd fill their stadium no matter what and made this chant very popular (nowadays heard all over the land): Alcohol! Alcohol! Alcohol! We just came to get drunk, we don't care about the score! Atlético de Madrid has also some bloody good songs. Great fans (poor sods). I was born in love with Atlético de Madrid in love with this field where I have suffered so much in love with you. Your stripes are red and white and I wear them in my heart you make so it's like a religion let's sing the alirón*! I was born in love with Atlético de Madrid... *the song traditionally sung when a Spanish team wins the league** **and that absolutely nobody has actually sung in the past 50 years. And the brand new Sevilla anthem - which is totally boss - sung by their fans http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UcmaWJGMLqg (way too long to translate)

All comes down to this really. Jonas and Routledge out wide as is. A strong mobile striker who can play upfront alone. Two other legit central midfielders who can get around the pitch, tackle and also pass the ball to a decent level. If we had these elements with Nolan in a 4-5-1 setup it would work. However, of all the elements mentioned we only have Jonas and Routledge. Campo-Okocha-Nolan were a great combination. They used Davies upfront, who isn't particularly mobile, but Nolan thrived on his flicks on and the second balls he generated. Yes, I watched Bolton lots during the mid-late 2000s :-[

He was pretty good at Bolton for several years, he was even in the fringes of the England squad. Although Sam's 4-5-1 did a very good job of carrying him.

Incidentally, as I have suspected all along, Leo Messi's father has finally been revealed to be Peter Beardsley http://estaticos03.marca.com/imagenes/2010/04/14/futbol/equipos/barcelona/1271199619_0.jpg

3-0 FT. 5 wins to go.

Touré 3-0 It's on.

Pedro from almost the half-way line. 2-0

Pool will win the EL if Torres manages to keep himself fit and unsubbed. Atlético are awful.

Cronaldo was wearing one the other day, do they pass it around? he actually thinks that it helps his fitness to do with helping his teeth ?!? He says that biting it when shooting helps him give more power to his shoots.

Cronaldo was wearing one the other day, do they pass it around?

Trying way too hard to do youtube clips at the moment. Get a second first dammit.

Dani Alves overhead kick hits the crossbar Wanna get a second first and then we can start taking the piss.

Bojan opens the scoreline 1-0

Heck, Pedro doesn't miss those often.

Looks like, despite scoring, Rose has managed to be shit enough to get himself subbed at HT.

4-2-4/4-4-2, we have been using it seldomly these past games, has the advantage of putting Messi nearer to the goal but without having to battle it on his own (earlier this season we played Messi as ST in a 433 and he was bullied out easily)