Village Idiot

Finished 5-2. Cracking watch.

I posted in the other games thread! NUFC's game wasn't on the telly this time.

We win 1-2. It's been a pretty bad game from us, particularly in defence, but we always have a very bad time at this place. I'll take that. Atlético next. Now that will be a big one.

Oh, for fuck's sake.

Messi 1-2, get in.

Neymar out for this afternoon's game. We have a pretty bad record playing Málaga at their place (they are pretty hard to break down at their turf), so it's not going to be an easy game.

We've loaned out Tello to Fiorentina, after Oporto cancelled his loan there.

The problem with James is the same as ever; Real Madrid have way too many attacking midfielders, and in order to play all their stars they have either to be a completely disjointed unit, or sacrifice somebody. So far this year it seems James is the one to take the bullet. That said, he hasn't been playing at nearly the level he played last season, in which he was stellar.

Real Madrid players seem more fond of motor vehicle offences. AFAIK it's Mascherano, Neymar, Messi.

And Messi had to cough up €50 million in back taxes+fines.

Because he would never have to serve that year. In Spain, if you lack priors you don't go to the can if you get a sentence lower than 2 years. Or are a footballer. Everyone is at it at Barca, no-one ever gets punished. It's the law, and it applies to everyone. Yes, there are many complains that our tax law is way too benign, but it applies to any rich cheating b******, not just Barça players. The "you don't serve if it's less than 2 years" rule applies to any sentence, incidentally. Not just tax.

Because he would never have to serve that year. In Spain, if you lack priors you don't go to the can if you get a sentence lower than 2 years.

This was known, it's a plea deal and he won't have to serve.

http://www.newcastle-online.org/nufcforum/index.php/topic,97534.0.html Thanks for the link. Yay, I won one! As usual thanks Kaiz for keeping this going. It's a fine NO tradition.

What? The N-O awards have already been given? Damn, I've missed them this year Just moved to a new house and it's taken a while to get all stuff set up.

The president of the Spanish FA - and acting president of UEFA - is in the process of being removed from office by the Spanish government after it was found out that he made personal favors to two small Segunda B clubs. He gave them licenses even though the FA should have denied them because of their debt. Now, this may not look like something grievous to you, but the guy is massive crook. It's like putting the head of the yakuza in the can for parking violations, but I'll take that.

That just a little below their averages, and January is usually a weak month. Camp Nou or Bernabéu only get filled up for big games.

He's played in Rakitic's position in a few games. I think Lucho envisions him as a flexible player that he can use to cover several positions in the middle and the wing.

How did Turan do? He was decent. We had a good hold of the game until he went, actually.

Still a pretty good result. Can't see Athletic overturning a deficit at our place.

Is Hasselbaink underrated? He had a tremendous season in Spain.

He's been sporting that since before Christmas. Nice way to start the tie.

I myself I am surprised about Neymar's growth as a player these past two seasons. I knew he would be good player when we signed him, but not a Ballon D'Or quality player. I hope he signs that damn contract extension.

Is the thread title true? Looks like Pardew is finally molding that Palace side into a Pardew team.

Wasn't Marcelino a bit of a malingerer? SDJ just seems comically accident-prone.