Infinitely Content

Really think we might pay for not starting Merino. Should have started today and rested him next game when Hayden returns imo. That said, watch Diame score a screamer.

Yep, Mo Diame starts.

Either Mbemba is playing in DM or Merino back in.

Watford have conceded 21 goals this season, as opposed to our 14 (10 before the Man Utd thrashing). They have the poorest defence by some distance outside of the bottom clubs and therefore are very vulnerable. We have played some very good attacking football lately, and if we continue that here, we can put 2/3 maybe even 4 past them and win the game. They're not that good, few dangerous midfielders (pereyra, doucoure, richarlison) and that's about it.

Rafa will have the better of Silva I think. He'll have a plan, just hope the players can carry it out. If so, we will win.

A bloke and his sons came all the way from Brazil to watch them when I was there and there was thousands of fans wearing various non Barca tops, I was in my Toon fans top. Didn’t see a mackem mind... it is very touristy, but Barcelona are more than a football club they really are, the stadium, the City, the culture etc. it’s a must for anyone visiting to go and watch them. It’s different I think to the kind of ‘ tourist fans’ who go and visit Manchester to watch Man Utd or City or Liverpool etc. I think you're probably spot on there tbh mate. It's probably true that those visiting the Camp Nou care about seeing a once in a lifetime team play the game they love. A lot of people visiting Man Utd are there for the brand identity or perhaps because David Beckham & Ronaldo used to play for them.

Regarding the first part, I suppose it's the price you pay for having a world class football team with arguably the best footballer of all time at no.10. People are always going to want to experience that for themselves even if they're not that into football. It's a similar conversation to the Old Trafford one people were having a few days ago. People go to see everything surrounding the football but not the actual football itself.

Non match fit Merino or Mo Diame. Easy decision really.

I heard a very similar recollection from my mate who went a few year ago regarding the atmosphere. He also wasn't very complimentary about the condition of the stadium itself, said it was in a bit of a state where he was seated anyway. Still, I'd take seeing Messi on an off-day - still usually means a game-winning performance. Plus I love Barcelona, truly great city

Reckon they will just be guessing. Rafa said he was fit and available so I think I'll trust him over some journo's article they had a deadline to meet for.

Never before have the two opposite spectrums of football been so apparent... http://i64.tinypic.com/10pbn1s.png

Mikel Merino, I'm holding out for a hero til' the end of the night...

Yep need to get to Camp Nou to see him play with my own eyes before he slows down. I have turned down a few opportunities in the past when in Barcelona for Sonar/Primavera/general holidays, but I think next season or maybe at the end of this I'm going to make a trip for the sole purpose of seeing Messi play.

You seen his site? Don't think he'll find much success in design either... https://www.joselumato.com/

Mitrovic, definitely. I genuinely predict him becoming a very good striker with a very good club. Champions League etc.

Nah, it's for Bakumbu, and Fekir will get Diame's shirt. Highly doubt it re: Fekir but fuck me that would be dreamland for me. One of my favourite players in Europe.

I kind of disagree regarding Rafa being bad at signing players. I think he signs players who he knows will work for him (a good example being our championship signings), which are usually not the most fashionable names out there but are usually the best available to apply the kind of tactics and instructions he has in mind.

Hope Gayle can get another goal and begin to put together a bit of a run. Would be massive for us if we can get him fit & firing.

I feel like it's because the media have never really gave an accurate depiction of how poor a manager he has been at his past clubs, and the collapse that inevitably happens to teams under him. The fans of each of those clubs will tell you exactly how poor he is, but as seen with Palace fans, that despite our warnings they wouldn't believe us simply believing us to be jealous or deluded. Fans of teams are inclined to distrust other fans of other team's opinions because of the us against them nature of football. So if the media isn't running the stories, validating these views, or the pundits on the various sports channels/shows aren't talking about it, then it's not true to the majority of people. Pardew has always been portrayed relatively positively in the media, particularly as our manager and then as Palace manager, despite the fact he nearly took both clubs down.

Have to look after Doucoure. Merino is essential to do so as Diame or Shelvey will not. Unless we're putting Chancel in there to take care of their strong midfield this will be a tough game. Merino starts, we win imo. If he doesn't it would be a good draw. Would also like to see Gayle/Joselu start, but would like to see the latter do a little bit more. He does a lot of good things but is also pedestrian at times and we can't afford it.

Well put, that's exactly how I feel about the situation & the man himself. He'll go down as an important part in the history of this club, especially if the club is sold and he can continue his role free from the current constrictions. Up there with Keegan, Shearer, Sir Bobby and the likes without a shadow of doubt.

Didn't Shearer do the same thing? Seem to remember a pretty bad one against Charlton... Suppose it comes down to intent or perceived intent though. Tough call to make for refs, but I think 'dangerous play' without harmful intent is taken more seriously in the last 5 years or so that it was previously. I'd like to think Carroll isn't going round purposefully elbowing players in the face like.

http://i67.tinypic.com/2vwbvh1.jpg

Maybe it's a young footballing talent in the end that breaks down some of the barriers between the DPRK and the rest of the world. Probably not, would make a nice story anyway.