Village Idiot

Nope. Elche, Murcia, Alicante... all second flight clubs nowadays. However, if you're willing to trip a little bit further, Almería plays Real Madrid tomorrow. That's probably a two hour drive, though, maybe a bit more, and only the most expensive tickets remain available. You can buy them online here if you want: http://www.entradas.com/entradas/comprar-almeria_zona You can check where each location is here: http://www.udalmeriasad.com/udalmeria/index.php?option=com_content&task=blogcategory&id=39&Itemid=68

Grrr... Iniesta out for almost the rest of the season. He's had an injury-ridden season the little guy... Ibrahimovic and Abidal still out for tomorrow's match against Depor.

This is such nonsense, man. Mourinho's record speaks for itself, man. Which parts of his record? Porto? and Chelsea. A lot of people dismissed the titles he won because of the money spent but look how Scolari struggled there, Grant never managed to win it either and imo Ancelotti's side isn't as good as Mourinho's old Chelsea side even though they will win the title this season. Mourinho also failed in his last season. Ancelotti has had to start players like Mikel, an over the hill Ballack, Kalou and Anelka this season. If he does the double, he's surpassed anything that Mourinho achieved there. Man, I respect Ancelotti's record, but Mourinho's first season at Chelsea is unrivalled domestically. The premiership is rather weak this season, with ManU becoming a one-man team, Liverpool in freefall and a not all that impressive Arsenal even being able to mount a title challenge. Mou's opposition was stronger. Of course, if Ancelotti achieves the double he'd have done more in a single season, but I still think Mou's Chelsea was just an European trophy away of being the meanest machine since 1980s Milan.

Oleg Salenko - scored 5 against Cameroon. Rangers signed him shortly after this and was rubbish. Salenko! Such memories... Actually I think he signed for Valencia after the WC, and then he went to Rangers after a poor season there. He had been great for Logroñés before that.

This is such nonsense, man. Mourinho's record speaks for itself, man. Which parts of his record? Porto? and Chelsea. A lot of people dismissed the titles he won because of the money spent but look how Scolari struggled there, Grant never managed to win it either and imo Ancelotti's side isn't as good as Mourinho's old Chelsea side even though they will win the title this season. And let's not forget that while he had loads of money, he won his first title against the best Arsenal side in recent memory, with a record points tally and shipping some ridiculously low amount of goals (which I fondly remember since I had Carvalho and Terry in my FF squad that year )

How weird, he's always seemed fast to me when I have seen him play, again I have mostly watched him in the Europa League, where he probably had more space and less pressure on him. Was also impressed by his ball retention. Again in the EL.

What's your impression on Bylylylylsomethingdinov, 1878? When I saw him play earlier this season he seemed to have bags of pace and pinpoint delivery. Seems to have been injuried a bit, though. But yes, apart from a striker you seem to have a fine squad.

It's in all the Belgian media by the looks of it. Apparently Spurs, Villa & Bayern were interested in signing him the same summer we bought him while Chelsea & Madrid had been scouting him as one for the future. Chelsea's chief scout (some Dutch guy) was quoted talking about him a few months ago. I'd be gutted if he was sold so quickly. His performances this season were absolutely immense until the injury. With Heitinga having done such a good job at DM though (correct me if I'm wrong) if someone was to come in with megabucks surely it would be a good move to sell and bring in another striker and a top class RB. Heitinga does a good job of breaking up play but will never be able to dominate a midfield and dictate the game like Fellaini was starting to on a regular basis. I'd rather sell Rodwell tbh (if we must sell anyone, don't think we do). Isn't Rodwell the next big thing?

Would love to see Hulk playing in a top league, to be honest. Every time I see him play (only in Europe, I admit) he seems to be progressing and gaining confidence.

http://img689.imageshack.us/img689/1879/manuelv.jpg He's from Barcelona too Funniest thing is that in the Spanish version the character was changed to be from Mexico as to not offend us

What would "Typical Spaniards" be?

I still don't know who really won those leagues in Italy during the mid 2000s.

Paul Tisdale? http://d.yimg.com/i/ng/sp/empics/20091201/21/3207606777-01122009210252.jpg

Well, when I started following the Premier League regularly in the early 2000s I kinda developed a simpathy for them, since they were small and did what they could to survive, I don't like to cheer on big teams (you're a Championship club so you're fine ) since it smacks of gloryhunting. Plus they had people like Okocha or fucking Yuri Djorkaeff playing for them. People used to tell me "But you're a Barça fan, you should like Arsenal", and it's just that Bolton made a refreshing change, kicking and longballing their way to the top. It's good for my soul

People seem to forget Milan's run in Europe under Ancelotti. Two victories, three finals, one semifinal... He took over a rather struggling Milan side and built it pretty nicely.

Whyyyyyyyyyyyy? Hoooooooooow? Long ball fetish :-[

Seen him play (as you know I like Bolton - sorry), and he's the quintessential fox in the box. Doesn't contribute much to the overall play, but he's really apt at putting balls in the general direction of the opposition net. I think he'd be a good player for a bottom half PL team. As johnnypd says, his stats are marred for the fact he's only getting 10-20 minutes per game since Coyle arrived, who favours Elmander over him

Marca has set up a poll asking Madrid fans who do they think should be their next manager. Oh surprise: http://www.marca.com/debate/2010/04/879/prevotaciones879.html

He fouled Puyol It was a nailbitting match, but overall both sides were pretty scared and a bit shit.

I think they got stung by Emnes though and are unlucky with both. Alves was a gamble, a quick check of his Wiki shows he's scored 14 in 11 for his new team. Yeah, in the mighty league of Qatar. These free-scoring players in the Dutch league feel so random. For every Van Nistelrooy or Van Basten you get an Alfonso Alves or your namesake.

Man, just the sight of that afro cracks me up. Love the man, would be gutted if he signed for them and I was forced to hate him

I do rate Fellaini, not sure is what Madrid need right now, though. Although he seems to have more of a brain than the two Diarras, and it's not so utterly gormless as Gago.

Fellaini was already linked to Madrid a couple years ago before Everton snapped him up, but that was another board. Just went and lurked in the soiled dens of iniquity (aka Real Madrid forums), and they are reporting what you say although from a Belgian newspaper. They are all making fun of the afro 'do, too.

Rafa Benítez is Madrid through and through, they already wanted him when he was at Valencia but they never made a firm approach. They cite the fact that he has already managed in Madrid (the B team) and that he is a "proven winning manager" (Spanish league, CL...) that is used to deal with top players. Mourinho is the only one of that lot that genuinely scares me, since I think that Pérez might finally come to his senses and hand over control to a manager with his reputation in order to become rellevant in Europe once again. Will see what happens when he sends Raúl to the stands and tells Cronaldo to track back and not shoot every time he gets the ball, though. Capello got moved on because of his style of football, twice. I just can't see the Bernabéu taking a liking to Mourinho or Benítez brand of football. But maybe they will suck it up this time.

He is 30, but after watching him at Bolton this year I'm sure he would easily score 10+ in the Premiership.