The Descent Into Middle Age

Spain were "pedestrian, inevitable and increasingly bloated in the middle," not at all dissimilar to  the current pathology of the American baby boomer.


Sometimes a win just isn't good enough. If you are the best in the world, you're supposed to do it with Liberace's flair and the jaw-dropping brilliance of Bobby Fisher - you're supposed to do it, well, like Germany. 

You mean you didn't enjoy the build up?

No longer rosy cheeked wonders riding a wave of exquisite passing and fine finishing, the Seleccion have lost their cutting edge, firmly in middle age and nearing over the hill status by the minute (or, so they are in the minds of their critics). 


Alas, David Villa is out and Fernando Torres no longer provides the attacking edge necessary to bring Spain's tiki-taka to its efficacious end. Villa's absence in particular has largely been overlooked this tournament, but it is in my mind the most auspicious. The leading scorer in Espana's 2008 Euro campaign, Villa's exploitation of the opposition's defensive weaknesses has not been unmatched by any of the no. 9's (real, false or otherwise) employed by del Bosque in this campaign. 

C'mon, Aragaones never had to deal with this ish back in the day.

The victory over France was banal to be sure, but they were playing to their personnel. To press for a second goal (even whilst retaining possession) requires a real attacking presence, which, unfortunately for the neutral spectator, is not something Spain have on offer now. 


Still best in the world (until someone else can prove otherwise on the pitch), they are just not as good as they were in 2008 or 2010. That is what is at the heart of the criticism of the current Spanish side, but, then again, no one said getting old was easy.

Huge Debt - Star Players = Unhappy Fans

He looks so happy.

It's simple math really, but somehow the concept still eludes the Anfield owners.

The Americans reportedly have a "Doomsday" scenario, which involves the sale of golden boy Fernando Torres (a.k.a. the only reason that 'Pool is in the top half of the Premier League this year) to Manchester City for 70 million pounds. That fee would then go to paying down some of the 290 MILLION in DEBT the club has incurred under the enlightened stewardship of Gillett and Hicks.

Let us illustrate the significant downside to this plan. First, the sale will cause a disastrous drop in form. Seriously, who's going to replace him up front? Aqualani? And we've seen how much losing just one player can affect on-pitch performances. *cough* Xabi Alonso *cough*

Now, let's really think this move through. Natch, the Reds' good looks quotient will suffer even more (see again: Alonso, Xabi for initial decline). Moreover, if Nando goes to City, he'll be forced to wear that awful powder blue, and, really, we all know that that colour does his complexion no favours. He might even have to lose the highlights to stop himself from being completely washed out. And what is El Nino without frosted tips?

We so object to this move on a multitude of levels.

But money matters. So following in the Reds' glorious footsteps is Valencia, which is seriously considering the sale of Davids Villa and Silva as sacrifices to the financial gods.

What do you think? Do club finances justify the player sacrifice in either case?