Village Idiot

Villarreal just sacked Valverde following the 0-2 defeat against Osasuna. No word on the substitute yet.

Javi López nets the second for Málaga 0-2.

Agüero coming on. And Cronaldo's exit has really helped Rooney coming into his own. He has become the focal point of ManU's attack and indeed he has risen to the challenge.

I like the signing. We have absolutely no one upfront that has a brain. We have Robbie Keane that thinks in his deluded mind can play the deep lying role effectively (well in reality he's total dog s*** playing that role). Gudjohnsen gives us an option we simply don't have. You lot played him on the tip of the 3 man midfield didn't you? Lately yes, his most successful times (imho) were on the front three, swapping with Eto'o as striker. That's good to hear. How do you think he'll do? do you think he can form a good partnership with Defoe (or any of our strikers for that matter)? He seemed to lose a lot of his mobility in the past years, and I'm not sure he's fit to play as a forward because of that. Might be a motivation issue, mind. His best attributes were exquisite handling of the ball, his first touch and ball controll in tight spaces was fantastic. He was great drifting into the box coming from the wing or as attacking midfielder. His finishing, however, wasn't all *that*. If you can work out his motivation (that's what seemed to hold him back lately), I guess he will work well for you. He scored one of the best goals by a Barça player of the last years in his league debut. Amazing how he didn't let that ball touch the ground as he dribbled past Celta's CB.

Right now? No. They have some bullets on the bench, though: Agüero, Reyes...

I like the signing. We have absolutely no one upfront that has a brain. We have Robbie Keane that thinks in his deluded mind can play the deep lying role effectively (well in reality he's total dog s*** playing that role). Gudjohnsen gives us an option we simply don't have. You lot played him on the tip of the 3 man midfield didn't you? Lately yes, his most successful times (imho) were on the front three, swapping with Eto'o as striker.

KD, now that you are around, what's your opinion on the signing of Gudjohnsen? I actually grew to like the lad despite him not being as succesful as we hoped.

Capello is pretty anal about off-the-field antics turning his players' heads. He famously dropped and vowed to never play Beckham because of all the gossipy crap he got involved in while in Spain (he ended up backtracking on that, though).

Funniest thing is, they are just a couple games away of probably securing an Europa League spot next season (through the Cup).

And appropiately Málaga go one up during the first minutes.

Ready to watch Atlético - Málaga, and I just realized how much Newcastle and Atlético remind me of each other. Great support, always flattering to deceive despite strong squads on paper, a relegation in recent times, fat dumbheads in charge...

Osasuna nets a second and puts Niel's bet to rest. Xerez get their second win of the season after coming back from 0-1 to Mallorca!

Screw that, the commentators of Racing-Getafe reported it as a Pennant goal, but it really wasn't but Suazo. He still hasn't done f*** all this season.

Pennant scores his first of the season, and gives Zaragoza a much needed win against relegation rivals Tenerife. 1-2

I remember when they signed Almunia off Albacete, everybody was "what?". From all the great goalies in Spain, he went and signed a disctinctly average one. I mean, until that season he had been unable to establish himself at a bunch of mediocre Spanish teams...

Bah, Racing down to 10 men, that means they are going to park the bus and no chance of me seeing Canales or Xisco today.

Arsenal not rising up to the challenge when it matters non-shocker.

ManU has always been one of the best (or just the best) counterattacking teams in world football. Just saw Osasuna's goal against Villarreal. :doh: defending.

"Shearer is overrated", I remember that Was watching this Racing game to see both Canales and Xisco in action and none has started... hope they come in during the second half. Racing being the better team anyhow.

Villarreal are hot and cold this season. I think today's a cold day.

FFS these commentators spend more time talking about the Arsenal-ManU game than this beautiful display of exciting footie between Getafe and Racing Santander.

Heh, I'm watching Getafe-Racing (don't ask) and they have interrumped commentary to wank over Nani's goal.

How do you see Barton in your midfield? I always thought that his best times at City were when he was used as a more forward-minded CM and not as DM.

do you not think we play those crosses and high balls (mostly high balls) because he is playing ? I don't think it's Carroll's fault. I think that what forces you to punt and use high balls is the fact you are so, so slow at taking the ball forward, and when there your mobility is awful (and I mean not only player mobility but ball mobility, passing, first touch... to take the defence out of position and force openings). In all the games I have seen the general tonic is that their defence is allowed to sit pretty comfortably, clouding your attacking players and forcing them to punt the ball to see if luck strikes and Carroll can bring it down. Do you think you have the players for doing otherwise? (honest question). Guthrie hasn't impressed me to be honest, but maybe Routledge and Jonas together can bring some of that mobility. Maybe.

In account of the 4 (FOUR!!!) games I have seen this season it looks like you should put Carroll in there given all the crosses and high balls that you play... somebody has to chase them and the guy looked good at doing that at least. Then either Loven or Ameobi as the goalscoring forward. Not sure how Lovenkrands and Ameobi would complement each other as a pair. Again, it's only four games.