Studs Up

- I watched this video the entire way through and applauded the perfectly selected ironic soundtrack. Then I went to the actual YouTube page for the vid, read the info, and realised that it wasn’t done ironically at all. Then I felt sad. And then your mum joined in.

- I thought I knew what was happening at Real. Buy Kaka, buy Ronaldo, re-establish the Galacticos and the world interest in the team. But then they went and added Benzema to the mix and turned the whole paella upside down. Dropping hundreds of millis in one transfer window hasn’t been done since early Abramovich-era Chelsea and now Real are spending like there’s no tomorrow which, if this all turns out to be the rather poor financial planning that it looks like, there won’t be. I’m assuming there’s some giant bunker full of Franco’s Hidden Gold that they’re withdrawing funds from, but it boggles the mind. My money is on Maicon next, and then Justin Timberlake.

- While we’re talking about irrational spending, Scott at RoM is wondering why anyone would believe that Liverpool are skint while Anfield Red are pondering the utter lunacy of selling either Xabi Alonso or Mascherano. I think end-to-end fullbacks are as valuable as 20 goal strikers or dominant defensive midfielders, so Johnson looks a great purchase. But I also know Rafa’s spending history and I’m betting he drops a giant load on another player who ends up more Lucas than Torres.

- Ever thought of creating an elaborate hoax to fool a club into thinking you were a professional footballer and that they should sign you? Too late.

- Over on the SU Forum, the lads are struggling to get to grips with Arsenal’s transfer policy and the merits of signing a player who’s only looked good playing for Wigan.