lodz, the mega store portocabin isn't great. did you walk up from placa espanya? nice walk that, although the funicular isnt without its charm. I know I should know but is the new sarria not ready?

thought i had made my last visit to the olympic. you there all year? will be over for a game in october. ant says you owe him a pint so i can collect

from the outside the nou camp isn't impressive, its sunken inside so doesnt look great from the outside. no sort of walk up really, just a load of locked gates operated by moody guards

Yes, I walked up from the Placa de Espanya, and it was an impressive sight on the way up looking at the palace, and on the way down with the view over the city - especially when you first catch a glimpse of the Sagrada Familia in the skyline - I never realised it was so tall ...

As far as I know, The Yol's new stadium will be ready 'sometime this season', maybe in the New Year or something ...

I should, barring disasters, be here for the next 12 months, so would be happy to honour ant's promise and buy you a Damm watching the periquitos ...

"especially when you first catch a glimpse of the Sagrada Familia in the skyline - I never realised it was so tall ..."

Yes it is. And if you look at Gaudi's plans for the finished cathedral, he had intended to add spires that would have made it significantly taller than it is today.

In what should not be a surprise to anyone, Laporta has survived the vote of confidence.

Nevertheless, the fact that almost 61% (23,870) of the socios who bothered to show up at the Camp Nou voted against him (the motion needed 2/3 to pass) should make him think a bit about his communication skills.

are barcelona really going to pay €38 million for Emmanuel Adebayor? That's amazing. What exactly do they think they are buying? I suppose If a player in the style of freddie kanoute can be so successful then...

No; I really doubt that they are going to pay anywhere near that much.

I seem to have a better opinion of Adebayor than a number of other posters, but if I were running Barcelona I would think seriously about not doing business with Wenger on principle. Petit, Overmars, Henry . . . The list is more than long enough as it is.

Jon wrote:

QUOTE:
"especially when you first catch a glimpse of the Sagrada Familia in the skyline - I never realised it was so tall ..."

Yes it is. And if you look at Gaudi's plans for the finished cathedral, he had intended to add spires that would have made it significantly taller than it is today.

And so it will be, when it's finished. One of my longest-held dreams is to be there when it's officially opened, it's going to be incredible.

Camp Nou looks absolutely incredible when full and floodlit, but the only ground I've been to that's quieter is the Bernabeu. You should really check out Europa at the Nou Sardenya in Gracia as well though, Lodz. Lovely little ground - I'd love to see a game there.

Barcelona should use the money from Deco, Eto'o and Ronaldinho to find a miracle formula which makes Lionel Messi's hamstrings strong as diamond, without losing any of their flexibility. If they can do that, they needn't worry about signing any other players for the next decade. But if they spunk some of it on Adebayor then, like Ursus, I won't be too disappointed.

adebayor is a lot younger than any of those players and a hell of a lot more physically active. Petit and henry were decrepit by the time Barcelona signed them, and mark Overmars was broken. Adebayor is much healthier than any of them.

Barcelona are definitely going to have to pay the full price for Adebayor though. For all wenger's poor mouth, arsenal do not have to sell him for anything less than full price, and Barcelona will probably pay it. He's only worth about €15m to Barca though.

He's a more than decent footballer, and a real handful, but I don't think he has the killer mentality of eto'o or the ability of a young henry. It is also worth pointing out that he only managed 2 goals in the CL, both of which were put on a plate for him. If he has any sense he'll stay at arsenal for another season and try to improve his game. i don't think he realises how good he has it there from a footballing sense, and how good his teammates make him look.

I think a lot of the same things apply to hleb as well.

Hmm, so now it appears that Poulsen is leaving for Juventus. On top of Keita and Alves heading off to Barcelona, it's certainly taking some 'punch' away from the SFC defence/midfield.

I'm a big fan of Renato; I don't think he's really been given enough 'protagonismo' in Sevilla, and can be a really classy player. Maresca has his moments, and always seems to add some va va voom to the midfield when he comes on - when he doesn't nut people - but could he do it week in, week out, I wonder ...

The imponderable is Christian Ndri Romaric. Anyone know much about him? It's been reported that he's rather overweight and is really suffering in preseason training ... So, who have we bought? The Makelele/Desailly/Dieter Eilts figure we need, or someone too fond of his food?

Any truth in the rumour that Fabiano might go to Madrid, Lodz?

It's a rumour that's been doing the rounds for months, and resurfaced again in Marca today. I wouldn't rule it out; however, apparently it's Schuster who wants him - maybe he won't have the final say ...

You should really check out Europa at the Nou Sardenya in Gracia as well though, Lodz. Lovely little ground - I'd love to see a game there.


Been lucky enough to take in two matches there Sam - lovely Sunday lunchtime experience which includes the traditional cigar-chomping, Sunday lunch, free entrance for women, an artificial pitch, glue-sniffing anarcho-punks behind one goal and the incessant heckling of the chubby centre-forward who ran towards the main stand gesturing to his tormentors before blowing kisses to the woman sat in front of us (his mother apparently). We managed to have a chat with the-then President back in 2001 (the day after a tepid and soulless Barca- Espanyol mismatch) who gave me a guided tour of their trophy room and a hefty book chronicling the club's history. The shirts are based on the old white V on blue of Birmingham City of yore ... apparently. The complete opposite of the Camp Nou and much much better for it.

PM for Lodz

Lodz, Marca seems to think that you might replace Poulsen with De La Red, which would be a definite upgrade in my book.

Every Juventino I've spoken with this weekend doesn't want Poulsen at the club.

De la Red would be an interesting one, it's true. Promising young player, eager to prove himself at a bigger club and all that ... Why don't Juve fans like Poulsen? He's the prototype narky midfielder who sticks his foot in and winds up the opposition - every team should have one ...

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They already have Sissoko and Nedved . . .

I was surprised to see Atleti sign Sinama-Pongolle,