Village Idiot

The article someone posted from Secret Footballer laid out a too plausible theory about what's going on behind the scenes regarding Berahino.

The media are ruthless with managers here. Far more than in England, certainly. And sometimes unreasonably so. I suspect one of the reasons is that we don't have nearly as many former managers/players working in our football press as you do. Football people tend to be more protective of their own. And actually you're quite right in pointing out that our sports rags cover the same niche that your tabloids do. We don't have any successful tabloid in Spain, but sports press outsells regular newspapers by a wide margin - particularly among the working class. Best sports reporting is found in regular newspapers.

If such an anglophile TV show like El Día Después picks on Neville that means he's lost the press already. That said, really hard not to ask questions after such a dreary run.

Great goal.

Piqué scores 2-1. This should put the tie to bed.

Athletic players hate Neymar so much being kicked all over the place tonight.

Neymar having one of those "I'm gonna miss all my chances" days, too.

Celta puts Atlético out of the cup at the Calderón. If Athletic scores one more and puts us out, it will be a pretty accessible cup.

Looks like the Spanish FA president will get done for a small favor he made to two Segunda B clubs (he processed their licenses even though they were financially nonviable). It will be like getting Capone for failing to pay his taxes, but I'll take that.

Sid Lowe is the best English journalist writing about La Liga, imho. Read him every week.

http://www.reactiongifs.us/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/meh_emma_stone.gif

Yeah Williams wouldn't probably come, but his release fee is 15m. Nolito could easily go to NUFC for a big PL payday if his transfer to us falls through. He's easily been the best winger in Spain not playing in the top 3 these past years.

Depends, is he still able to walk? On today's evidence, it seems so.

Roughly what would 14 million get us in Spain? In that position? Nolito. If you want to go younger throw in another million and you land Iñaki Williams. Both Spanish-style wingers though (inside forwards), you won't find many decent English style wingers over here.

I gather this window seems focused on obtaining "proven PL players" to minimize risk in the face of relegation, but how in any shape or form is Andros "200 loans" Townsend proven in any shape or form? Never rated him.

Giuseppe Rossi debuted today with Levante in their win against Las Palmas. It's just a few years ago that we bid for him, but went with Alexis Sánchez instead. Surely he's already paid his debt for betraying the USA?

Presumably this is referring to something like when Churchill deployed the army against striking miners, or f***ed up at the Dardanelles, than any heroic oratory or steadfast determination in the face of enormous adversity that he may also be remembered for? The Dardanelles wasn't Churchill's fault, not enough fret.

I'm tempted to watch that video, but I'm aware I'll find it infuriating

40m for a leftback when you've already got Marcelo? They do need backup there but that's too expensive. Probably bollocks.

Still 17 games to go, it's a bit premature methinks. If we win the Atlético game it will be a big step forward though.

Pity. Can't see Betis holding onto this now.

Porto have conned Real Madrid with Danilo like.

'Poor' is being kind on him. Can't believe he's still on the pitch. Betis look spent, Jesé's directness could hurt them now.

Less than half an hour though, if Betis can hold just a little bit longer I can see Madrid becoming desperate.

He just doesn't look like the same player this season. There's rumors about off the pitch shenanigans, but dunno if they are reliable. It is true that he once was caught on camera partying while nursing an injury, though.