Village Idiot

Also, you can't just sign a player in a playmaker position and expect him to be a tit-for-tat replacement right off the bat. Xavi has played with the likes of Messi and Henry for several seasons now. He's been training with Iniesta for the past 8 years... you need to account for the time it would take Cesc to wed into the side. It has taken some seasons for Arsenal's midfield to look as compact as it does now.

Would Cesc qualify as homegrown for the Champions League? I say that knowing you aren't exactly short of home grown players. No, he moved out when he was... 16, I think? UEFA only counts years after they are 15 for the homegrown rule.

And yes, our system works due to our holding mid. That was one of Rijkaard's greatest tactical changes. We always played Xavi as a deep-lying playmaker in the mould of Guardiola (he was always hailed as his successor), but that was really holding his game back in hindsight. Rijkaard played him further forward in the field and gave him a holding mid to protect him, and he finally fulfilled his potential. Also, we aren't changing our system. Iniesta plays left wing pretty often. Again, I think it's detrimental and would rather wait on Cesc at least another season, but as I said we are historically pretty anal about bringing back prodigal sons.

Iniesta goes to the left (he is kinda wasted there but has played lots as winger), midfield pair of Xavi and Cesc. He is however, looked more as the long term replacement for Xavi, who's turning 30 this season (although no signs of him decaying so far). I don't think it's going to happen this January really, no snowball chance in hell. I just finds all the Cesc obsession quite entertaining. It happens every time a former youth player makes it big away from the fold.

Just because I like spreading Cesc rumours. Local rag saying that Laporta is working to bring him on the January window and everything is agreed pending convincing Wegner to let him go

He's still going to get this weekend's game.

Marca is reporting they are talking to Spalletti (ex-Roma), although a deal is not close. Quique Sánchez Flores another name being thrown around.

Yes, son of a bitch indeed. Rumor going around is that the Abel sacking is inminent and he's going to be replaced by Michael Laudrup.

Incidentally, can't see Pato staying for much longer at Milan.

Brilliant. Vamos Madrid! One more! Una mas!! Actually, the popular cheer for Real is "¡Hala Madrid!". (Now I have to go wash my hands after typing it) 2-3 cracking game to be frank, and didn't expect Milan to win. Is it me of does Kaká kinda disappear in big games? He was nonexistant against Sevilla, did sod all tonight and again did sod all when we played Milan in the CL semifinal of 2006. Softens the blow of us being so dire last night

BAH.

What the hell is up with Villareal? I see they are bottom of the table. I understand they lost their manager and are not the team they once were, but that is insane. It's a bit puzzling, I was expecting a bit of a retreat but not this kind of form. Valverde is actually a talented manager and has done good in every team he has been so far (brought Bilbao to 5th spot in his first season, Espanyol to a UEFA final, won the double with Olympiakos...), but it seems that he is going to be sacked pretty soon (rumour goes that the owner has tried to lure Luís Aragonés, but Aragonés is waiting to see if Scolari is sacked and get himself to manage Portugal).

What I read though, is the team they were competing against for the promotion spot got 3 penalties awarded in the last 10 minutes of his own game

I must admit with regards to Torres he even surprised me with how good he has been at Liverpool. At Athletico I always thought he was a bit overrated (mainly by FM fanboys) which is actually the case I feel too with Agüero. Same for me, I always thought he was overrated when he was there, but surprised me when he moved to Liverpool. He has gained a lot of composure and confidence, which I think were his main drawbacks before.

Congratulations on the great victory, djmattis. Despite some of my jabs, Internazionale are actually my favorite Italian team (due to the Luís Suárez/HH connection).

Agüero is a great player, and one of the best things about him is that he's actually improved a lot over the years since he joined Atlético. A lot of times all these young hot players stagnate, and I think he has not only the raw talent but the attitude to become one of the top in the world.

Atlético are such a broken toy... Xerez scored their first ever top flight win 2-1 against Villarreal, and the ref reported that Pirès called him "motherfucker" at the end of the game

I reckon if Arsenal got a real striker they could mount a title challenge. Next year maybe if they hold on to Cesc. They may need some depth in defensive positions too.

Bah, that's probably the last result I expected from this game, a goaless draw. Ah well, still top and we aren't going to have many tougher games in La Liga than this one.

Always been quite pleasent when I've had dealings with them. Local ManU fans I have encountered are a pretty decent lot, and I respect the team just because of them. The glorychasers are particularly infuriating, though. Liverpool fans are utter self-righteous knobs.

Cronaldo and Kaká set to miss Real's game at home against Valladolid. Although they shouldn't have a problem winning. Henry went down injuried with France and will miss today's Valencia game. Zlatan seems set to start shrugging off a knock he picked up with Sweden. Villa still a doubt, but in the squad.

Whoever threw that balloon is going to get clobbered in Liverpool tomorrow. And then they will make a campaign out of it.

Mmmmm... What kind of system are Liverpool playing? 3 centrehalves and then a million midfielders? Can't really figure it out. Probably neither does Benítez.

Just saw that Ghana defeated Brazil in the U20 WC, and my first thought is that Freddy Adu could have been in that Ghana team, and that there's a very good chance he's never going to defeat Brazil as a player for the US National Team.

Nobody has put forward the Ameobis yet? Come on, I thought better of you lot.