Thursday, December 30, 2010

RM v Sevilla B....Sunday 9th at Midday.

The game against Sevilla B has been set for Sunday 9th at 12.....strange timing but there you go. Should be available to watch via the clubs website, but will confirm.

Monday, December 27, 2010

I hate the break!

Whilst Wenger and others argue for a winter break in England, fans over there can still enjoy a full and even extended program of footy over the Christmas and New year period. I can even remember them playing one day after the other in the 70's and 80's....but then players had chest hair, moustaches and a pair of bollocks.

Make the most of it.....it won't last. Player power and the likes of Wenger will make it happen sooner rather than later. I agree with Arsene on most things, except goalkeepers and the winter break.

Here in Spain our already mollycoddled players are off away on holiday. Our pampered, underworked stars get more time off to add to the massive amount of free time they already have, and will return rested, waxed, and sporting a couple of new tattoo's.

Why? Has player wellbeing become even more important than the game itself and the spectators that keep them in Bentley's? Imagine working part-time and telling your boss you need to take time off as you are tired!

The break leaves a void for fans in Spain, and I wish they would do away with it. Theatre's put on matinee performances whilst us mere mortals have a couple of days off....why should footballers be any different?

I'll get me coat!

Friday, December 24, 2010

Thursday, December 23, 2010

The Sickness

Just when you think it couldn't get worse, that the Madrid / Barcelona sickness infecting Spain must have reached it's limit....NO! WRONG!

Yesterday in the supermarket in Murcia (Alcampo), I nearly slammed my trolley into a display of canned olives. We've all seem mugs, keyrings, pens, car stickers.....but....CRISPS? Yes....big bags of crisps. Of course, you can't have just Real Madrid crisps, no, they have to have the reglamentary and balancing Barcelona crisps next door.

Whatever next? Real Madrid detergent? Barcelona frozen peas? (and of course their Madrid and Barcelona balancing versions).

I call them sheep for a reason you know.

Real Murcia 3 Puertollano 0

Another typical segunda B game at home. Puertollano "parked the bus", Real Murcia played some reasonable football for 30 minutes trying to unlock them, took the lead after a rebound off the post and the rest of the game was rather slow, not a lot of urgency. Maybe, after Puertollano had a player sent off, they were thinking more of their 2 weeks off.....anyhow, we scored 2 more in the second half, and end the first half of the season on 41 points. Although Sevilla and Cadiz have played one game less, the three points in the bag only puts pressure on them. 3 important games in January....Sevilla B visit on 9th, we go for a tricky away game at Roquetas the following week, then Cadiz come to the New Condomina. If we get through those unbeaten, we will be in very good shape and have both main rivals at arms length.

Real Murcia:
Alberto
Ander Gago - Luciano - Cámara - Óscar Sánchez
Aguilera - Richi - Cañadas (Isaac Jové 60') - Albiol
Pedro (Carles 74') - Chando (Kike 69')

Puertollano:
Sebas
Asier - Aguilar - Pelegrina - Pomar
Vladimir - Nando - Pedro Díaz - Encinas (Fabio 73')
Xisco (Carlos 59') - Addison (Vidal 82')

Goals:
1-0 Chando 39'
2-0 Albiol 70'
3-0 Kike 83'

Referee : Mr. Medina Méndez. Easy game to referee....but easily conned by playacting.

Att. 4378....which is poor. What is it about the Spanish and midweek games? I love a midweek game!

So just 9 goals conceded in 19 games, defence is solid. And contrary to popular thinking, great defending is also great football!

Monday, December 20, 2010

Table after 18 games....



Next up....Puertollano at the New Condomina on Wednesday 22nd at 20.30 p.m. This game can be followed on the web at the club's site. After that....Christmas/New year break.....and the top of the table clash with Sevilla Atl on the 9th of January.

Jumilla 0 Real Murcia 1

Not the prettiest game you'll ever see, but it was the points that were important (unless you are a journalist) due to Cadiz's loss on Saturday. A very small ground, a very wet, bumpy pitch, reinforced my feeling that we must...must get out of this division this season. A very enjoyable day though, it's only an hour away, and we had a great lunch...red meat and very local Jumilla red wine. Bad news from the day was that Góngora looks to have fractured his leg, will have an operation today, and will be out for 2 or 3 months.

Jumilla:
Limones
Belda - Bernal - Osuna (Tasio 53') - Menchón
Nico - Francolí - Ramos - David Sánchez (Andoni 70')
Juanjo (Dieguito 79') - Karim

Real Murcia:
Alberto
Mario Marín (Cámara 83') - Gotor - Iván Amaya - Góngora (Óscar Sánchez 51')
Carles - Aguilera - Isaac Jové (Cañadas 75') - Pedro
Aquino - Chando.

Goal:
0-1 Chando 43'.

Referee: Mr. López Puerta. Fair.



Photo : Jumilla.....nice place, great wine....but I hope I never go back to see a game! This is the main stand, they had a temporary thing erected for Real Murcia supporters...on the other 2 sides....nowt, just a running track.

Friday, December 17, 2010

Life after you know who?

Attendances....quick comparison of last weekend.

Spanish second division "Segunda" :



English N-Power Championship :



English N-Powers League 1 :



So in England second level football has many more followers than their equivalent in Spain. The details of third level can't really be compared; firstly as there are 4 divisions of segunda B in Spain.....secondly as I can't find any attendance stats. In any case...the difference would be a big one.

Next : Top tier. To make a reasonable comparison I have removed the "top" teams that may distort the figures (and the reasoning behind the study). So Barcelona and Man Utd's home attendances have been remioved.

Spanish Primera :



Premier League :



Conclusion : Too much time on my hands!

And perhaps in England we are not force fed Man Utd and Chelsea day after day. Tonight's sports news on Tele 5 in Spain was all about if Iker Casillas and Cristiano Ronaldo weren't best mates. No, they hadn't had a training pitch rumble....nothing like it. Can you imagine Sky Sports main story being that Nani and Rooney don't share the same bodywaxing clinic? Thought not.

Thursday, December 16, 2010

The Enemy Within

Should a local paper be supportive of their local side? Should the local hack have a soft spot for what should be the club they support? You would have thought so, right? You would think they would put a positive slant on things?

Imagine the situation. The team you manage have just won at home, not a great victory, but a victory nonetheless, and the three points gained take the side back to the top of the table, with a points total higher than any other side in the 4 divisions of the level you are in. You sit to answer questions after the game, and one particular journalist makes an affirmation, not really a question...."Real Murcia are at their worst moment".

Why the ultra critical policy? Is this what the readers demand? How can we be at our worst moment when we return to the top of the league? Is this a clear editorial line to try, for whatever obscure reason, to torpedo our promotion push? Or is the hackette in question watching too much of Guardiola's Barcelona, is dazzled by it, and can no longer discern that Real Murcia are in segunda B?

Iñaki Alonso was dignified, and didn't tell her to "sex and travel". Instead he just admitted it wasn't our best performance, that the most important thing was the three points, that we now have 35 points and couldn't imagine what they would be saying if we only had 25, that football is complicated, and that Real Madrid weren't able to beat us when we put up a defensive position, and that he thought that some criticisms were a bit of a joke given our position.

The lady in question didn't wait too long to respond.....and the very next day went to print with this.....

"Patience has a limit. The whistles, for the first time this season, sounded strongly in the last few minutes of the first half and when the players were going off at half time. Iñaki Alonso should recommend his pupils to use earplugs so that those small negative reactions from the fans don't effect their delicate sensibility. And to continue with the recommendations. Iñaki Alonso, who has made public his lack of desire to lose weight, should have a bowl of kellogg's All Bran for dinner to maintain his waistline, better digest criticism, and lose the animosity he transmits to those who don't agree with him"

Firstly....the whistles were limited, 4 or 5 Madrid clad numpties. Secondly the team reacted well, scoring twice. Thirdly....who the hell is this bimbo to start making personal comment about someone's appearance? Fourthly....giving lessons on accepting criticism whilst clearly reacting in a terribly undignified manner to a very small criticism to yourself? Pot? Kettle? Black?

Unfortunately the school of sports journalism in Murcia teaches ultracriticism of Real Murcia at every possible opportunity (the "teacher" of this school, Juan Ignacio Ibarra, even had a street named after him, despite selling himself out to the defunct Murcia City and open support for arch rivals Cartagena. The street, without any irony, is called Calle Maestro Ibarra). And they are missing a point here....the fanbase has changed. The rancid older generation are gone or going...there is a new, younger, inconditional crowd, crying out of a more pro-murcia stance, that is completely absent from the local press. The hacks and editors are missing a trick, but are far too far stuck up their own opinionated arses and busy watching fantasy football to notice.




Photo : Ronaldo and Messi. On another planet but....are they good for the rest of football in Spain?

Wednesday, December 15, 2010

To Jumilla.....(slurp)

Looking forward to this one.....should be a good laugh, not too far away (about an hour), Jumilla is famous for it's wines, some of which are really excellent. They used to have the reputation of being too full bodied...and indeed I can remember when I first arrived in Murcia thinking they were undrinkable, mostly due to the fact they had been stored in some awful barrel and tasted really off. I even heard that they used to fill tankers with the stuff, take it up to Bordeaux and mix it with some of their wines that needed more body. Nowadays modern methods have been introduced....and there are some very very good ones available....and I'm sure we will be trying quite a few as we'll head up there for lunch then the match.

3 points are a must.....and I hope none of the complacency of our last outing at Lorca.



Photo : Clio from Bodegas El Nido.....not cheap but well worth it. Hic!

Monday, December 13, 2010

WE ARE TOP OF THE LEAGUE!

After yesterday's results, we are back on top.....and should remain there, as we are away to rock bottom Jumilla next week.

Real Murcia 2 Caravaca 1

Another rather mixed performance, although the score is flattering to Caravaca who hardly threatened, and thanks to our forwards (particularly Chando) who were wasteful in front of goal. However....in this league you are going to have many ugly games where the visitors come to defend and are hard to break down. Plus, for a team like Caravaca playing at the NC is like a cup final, so they are super motivated, whilst I think some of Real Murcia's players find it hard to be motivated for such a game.

Real Murcia:
Alberto
Góngora - Amaya - Luciano - Gago
Aquino (Isaac 57´) - Aguilera - Richi (Urzaiz 77´) - Pedro (Mario Marín 74´)
Cañadas - Chando

Caravaca:
Manolo
Miguel Ángel - Soldevilla - Giorgi (Sivori 48´) - Gavilán
Alfonso - Campillo - Álex - Atila (Andrés 59´)
Elías - Rojas (De La Rosa 79´)

Goals:
1-0 Pedro 57´
2-0 Chando 70´
2-1 Elias 81´

Ref: Mr. García Castillo. Woeful. Seemed to ignore any late kicks, did not have a criteria for yellow cards for hands, clueless about playing advantage, too far away from play....so no better or worse than all the others we have suffered!

Att. 6,804

When the referee blew for the start of the game, Caravaca's players all dropped to their knees.....not in prayer for victory, but as a protest as they have not been paid for a few months. After a minute (Real Murcia sportingly just knocked the ball around between thenselves) they got up and proceeded with the game. Evidently the owners and or politicians need to sort this out and are to blame, but you cannot get away from the fact that the bipolar media and their ramming Madrid and Barcelona down peoples throats, and that only that brand of football is valid contributes greatly to this. Low league football in Spain is in a complete mess......but at the RFEF it only seems to matter that Messi scores another couple in another predictable 5 or 6 nil trouncing and that these are seen worldwide. Is it any wonder the people of Caravaca don't go or support their local side?

Saturday, December 11, 2010

Caravaca

Tomorrow's game against Caravaca at the New Condomina will be available to see via the internet (www.realmurcia.es) at 17.00 (16.00 UK time). What to expect? Well, like any side from Murcia region, playing at the NC against Real Murcia is like their world cup final, so they won't be short of motivation, so don't expect an easy game. I hope Real will use last weeks inexplicable display as a wake up call....a silly loss, added to too many draws, mean Cadiz, who have lost 5 games, are right on our heels, and Sevilla B are ahead on goal difference. As I have explained before, coming first gives you 2 bites at the play off cherry, second, third or fourth means a long and difficult process to gain promotion.

I hope Caravaca's support don't follow their regional collegues (Cartagena, Lorca and Yecla) by following the fashion, using the game for some absurd pathetic political claims and to throw general insults.

Thursday, December 9, 2010

Balls.....

Golden Balls. Barcelona's Iniesta, Messi and Xavi are the candidates for the accolade this year. I can understand why Iniesta is nominated.....class act, quiet bloke, fair enough. But....Messi? Sooner or later they will discover what kind of performance enhancing drugs he is on (like they did with Maradona) as you can't be that bloody good...it's impossible. And most of all...XAVI? Xavi.....the mouthiest, bigheadedest, dimwitiest, spiky loo brushed haried, back sack and cracked, stick on eyebrowed, crosseyed odious midget? Fuck offffff please....

As a player he's OK. Only OK....fortunate to be in a great Barcelona side. But as a man? Self centred, egotistic, ignorant, bovine megatwit, has the IQ of a dung beetle (slightly above his mate Puyol then) and the manners of Sir Les Patterson. His eyes are too close together. He can't keep his gob shut if there is a microphone within a mile....and he talks more shite than Stan Collymore.

Pepe Reina....now there's another prize knobend....

Why the HATE you ask?



Sorry...off topic and not Real Murcia.....but had to be said.

Monday, December 6, 2010

Growing Support / Updated Table

There is no doubt that in number our support has grown considerably over the last few years - and again this season the underlying trend is towards inconditional, even though we have suffered 2 relegations in 3 seasons. I know that the elder amongst the fans say that in the 80's, before Madrid and Barcelona monopolized media coverage, that Murcia had big attendences at home....but have we ever travelled in such number as now? 3,000 odd at the Bernabeu is normal.....but over 800 at Lorca, in a segunda B match? That is almost double those who attended our last visit there some 3 or 4 seasons ago in Segunda. This is good....there is real feeling for the club, and despite the fact that I saw two numpties yesterday with their Real Madrid tracksuits, you can tell the majority disapprove - and let them know about it.

The updated table is below.....I hope we can cut out the inconsistency and the bit of complacency. I'm not making stupid demands like our local rag "La Verdad" who insist that Real Murcia need to win seven nil every week in this division - that just shows their ignorance of just how competitive a league segunda B is. Just that we concentrate and take nothing for granted.

Lorca 1 Real Murcia 0

Dismal performance from Real Murcia - that said, it is a game they didn't deserve to lose. Lorca's tactics were clear from the start - the lush green grass had been left uncut and unwatered, and it was like playing on treacle, which clearly favoured Lorca and hindered Murcia's passing game. Once they got ahead (through a penalty), there was no end of playacting, particularly from their keeper Goyo who went down feigning injury 4 or 5 times. The ballboys disappeared. However, it has to be said that some of our players looked like they thought we only had to get off the bus to take all 3 points, perhaps a bit of complacency after last week's 6 - 0 drubbing of Lucena. We simply weren't at the races, and hardly troubled Lorca's goal until the last few minutes. Having 3 players sent off didn't help. Abraham for violent conduct a straight red (I didn't see anything), Oscar Sanchez for 2 yellows (the second of which is a foul but no way is a 2nd yellow) - I can't remember the first, think it was for dissent, Kike dismissed in injury time with a second yellow for diving in the box.....a tackle that looked like a penalty from my viewpoint.

Lorca:
Goyo
Germán - Méndez - Olivares - Casabella
Quintero (Meca 83') - Antonio (Adrián 70') - Sebas - Toño
Aarón - Verdú (Jaime 70')

Real Murcia:
Alberto
Gago - Gotor - Amaya (Kike 76') - Óscar Sánchez
Aguilera - Richi - Cañadas (Aquino 65') - Albiol (Abraham 40')
Pedro - Chando

Goals:
1-0 Jaime (pen 70').

Att. around 1,500 of which aprox. 60% were from Murcia.

Referee: Mr. Pino Blanco. After an acceptable first half and first few minutes of the second, decided he was going unnoticed and proceeded to give a disgraceful and unwarranted display of cardwaving madness.

Best we forget this one ASAP. Hope Iñaki Alonso gave them the bollocking they deserved.

Sunday, December 5, 2010

No TV today....

Looks like Lorca Atletico have priced themselves out of TV coverage, and therefore the match will not be available via the Real Murcia website.

I am confused by Lorca.....this team "Atletico" I am told purchased Sangonaera's place in segunda B, this after the previous Lorca ¿Deportiva? folded, just like their predecessor. So this is the 3rd? 4th? version of a Lorca side in the last 20 years. Their high point was a few years ago, whilst in Segunda, they flirted with promotion. I can remember how their results and goals were greeted with some pleasure at the old Condomina - this all changed when they visited us. I have bleeted on about how Spanish fans are Madrid and Barsa at heart, but will attach themselves to their local side only if they are doing well. Classic example. Over 1000 Lorca fans came, were welcomed....until they insisted on insulting chants and general misbehaviour. The following season Real Murcia visited Lorca and gained a undeserved last minute draw.....and we fans were pelted with anything they could throw at us. End of the season they were relegated.....and then went out of business, until this version muscled their way into Segunda B. As per our amigos in Cartagena, no doubt this edition will inherit the other 3 attempt's history. This is why they appear as "Lorca Frankenstein" on my league table.....

Insults, bottles, stones......Why on earth am I heading to Lorca this afternoon? Why don't I stay home after a week away in the cold of Canada and London, and the boredom of Luton Airport for hours 2 mornings running thanks to the air traffic controllers?

REAL MURCIA....YOU'LL NEVER WALK ALONE!

Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Muchos Goles!

Barcelona - Madrid

Didn't see it. At least now TV and radio can get back to 98% Madrid / Barcelona coverage instead of the 101% of the last 2 weeks.

As Achopijo put it in his blog (my translation)....

"It is saddening to see how part of football disappears under the shadow of the two titans, and for a few days the reality of what Spanish football steamrolls over everyone else's colours, without pity.....and the worst thing, is that each year that passes it seems that they get bigger, and the rest are smaller. Every year it is easier to support Real Madrid or Barcelona, and for that reason, every year we should be prouder and feel we are special when this game comes around, and we don't care who wins"

I daresay the Redonda in Murcia had a lot of pondlife driving around hooting their horns last night - people who are unlikely to have been to the Nou Camp ever. If Madrid had won it would have been the same or worse.

For me there is no love of football in Spain, despite all the coverage and the feeling they are footy mad. They love winning only. Look at how empty stadiums are in segunda and segunda B compared to their equals in England or Germany.......and how fans (and here is the crux) hop on and off their local teams depending on results, and always go back to their real teams (you know which two) at the first sign of trouble. Murcia is a classic example. 3 years ago (after promotion to Primera) the club had to put a limit on season ticket sales, and 25.000 were sold. Since then 15.000 "supporters" have abandoned ship. To lose some support is normal, but over 50% means we are surrounded my gloryhunting Blancos and Culés.

Sunday, November 28, 2010

Real Murcia 6 Lucena 0

Real Murcia were different class today. For the first few minutes Lucena looked like a reasonable side, well organized, defending well.....but after the first goal they disintegrated and a high score seemed inevitable. A hatrick from Chando, two from Kike and one from Pedro....some of the goals were perfect in their execution, excellent counter attacking football. Given the Sevilla Athletico had already shared a 4 all draw with Melilla, Murcia only had to win to go top. Rivals Ceuta also lost, so a perfect weekend!

Real Murcia:
Alberto
Ander Gago (Albiol 55') - Gotor - Ivan Amaya - Oscar Sanchez
Aguilera (Camara 61') - Richi - Cañadas (Kike 64') - Abraham
Pedro - Chando

Lucena:
Cristian
Cano - Domingo - Zambrano (Jesus Lanza 45') - Sarmiento (Fernando 61')
Pineda - Sergio Ortiz - Romerito (Jiminez 79') - Jony Lomas
Pascual - Alex Cruz

Goals :

1 - 0 Chando 18'
2 - 0 Pedro 30'
3 - 0 Chando 43'
4 - 0 Chando 61'
5 - 0 Kike 76'
6 - 0 Kike 86'

Att : 6,464 - lowest of the season.....well....it was cold (by Spanish standards!)

Next up.....a trip to Lorca next Sunday.

Table :

Saturday, November 27, 2010

Tomorrow 5 p.m.

Real Murcia v Lucena

You can follow the game as usual live via the internet on www.realmurcia.es

Another must win home game for Iñaki Alonso's team.

Those of you with a good level of Spanish may like to listen to Quique Baeza's excellent podcast (all about Real Murcia), that you can listen to here...

http://realmurcia1919.blogspot.com/2010/11/programa-de-radio-40-sobre-el-real.html

Sunday, November 21, 2010

Écija 0 Real Murcia 2

Decent victory, although not without difficulty, Alberto pulling off a couple of good saves, and our players having to deal with a truly awful playing surface. Écija put us under severe pressure after Mario Marín was dismissed, had their chances to equalize, but were caught out on the break, Abraham squaring to Pedro to calmy place the ball home.

Écija:
Ramón
Portela - Juan - Óscar - Ramírez (Víctor 78')
Nando (Pizarraya 57') - Moya - Requena - Bello
Jonan García - Plata (Juan Pablo 68')

Real Murcia:
Alberto
Mario Marín - Gotor - Ivan Amaya - Óscar Sánchez
Cámara - Richi (Abraham 59') - Albiol - Cañadas (Góngora 73')
Pedro - Chando (Carles 77')

Goals:
0-1 Cañadas (8')
0-2 Pedro (90')

Referee : Mr. López Acera. OK but sent Mario Marín off with a pathetic second yellow, you can't send a player off for something so soft....

Updated table below.

Friday, November 19, 2010

Sorry......seeing the world....

Long business trip....Morocco & Israel.....late nights and early mornings, sleep deprivation and alcohol abuse, too much great grub....

This upcoming week I hope to be back to a daily dose of blog if anyone still reads!

Joe...thanks for the concern....un abrazo, amigo.

Ecija - Real Murcia is on Sunday at 5 p.m., thats 4 p.m. UK time, and you can follow the game live via the club's official website.

My I-pod threw this up on the plane, kind of apt for me.....can't get it out of my head....enjoy seeing the world....an absolute jem.

Friday, November 12, 2010

Real Murcia deserved to go through!

...and I say this in all seriousness. Really.

First leg :
Diarra not sent off despite deserving a second yellow in the first half.
Probably penalty for handball after Richi shot.
Definate stick on pen Madrid's Albiol handling clearly and deliberately.

Second Leg :
Incase you think I am mad or too biased, I will quote from yesterday's Marca (Real Madrid's press mouthpiece)...

"What matters are the facts. And the facts are that of the five Real Madrid goals, only 2 were "clean" - Granero's first and the third, in a master play between Xabi Alonso, Di Maria and Cristiano. The rest....we have already talked of the second, where Higuain scores with Ramos on top of the rival keeper; the fourth from a penalty after a dive by Di Maria, and the fifth, a (deflected!) free kick by Alonso from an edge of area handball that wasn't".



Photo : Neither referee Paradas Romero or his assistants thought this was a foul or offside!

Thursday, November 11, 2010

Madrid 5 Real Murcia 1

Extremely generous score for Madrid who are completely flattered by the result. As expected, the referee gifted them with many decisions, principally their second goal right on half time, where Sergio Ramos is either offside or fouling keeper Dani Hernandez, this goal is so illegal it's ridiculous, but the officials didn't see it. Their 4th, a penalty, was soft to say the least, Di Maria diving in the box. The 5th was another joke, Urzaiz controlling on his chest, the ref giving a foul or handball or whatever, then flukey Xabi Alonso's free kick deflecting into the net. It was good to see Iñaki Alonso giving our squad players a run out....and Real Murcia were a match for Madrid during long periods of the game, and it was a pleasure to see us playing the ball out of defence, and not once lumping the ball forward or resorting to fouling. Indeed it could have been very different if we had been able to find the killer ball into the forwards...we were close on many occasions.

After the luxury of our New Condomina stadium, the Bernabeu is unconfortable to say the least. Yes it is big, but you are squashed in like sardines, and there is zero space between rows, making any moving around difficult. From our position we had to see half of the pitch with and obstructed view, due to large dense netting used to stop incoming/outgoing objects from the away fans area.

Real Madrid:
Casillas
Arbeloa - Sergio Ramos - Raúl Albiol - Marcelo
Mahamadou Diarra - Granero - Pedro León (Di María 70) - Canales (Xabi Alonso 46)
Higuaín (Cristiano Ronaldo 46) - Benzema

Real Murcia:
Dani Hernández
Mario Marín - Iván Amaya - Gotor - Góngora
Isaac - Urzaiz - Pedro - Abraham (Chando 58)
Miguel Albiol (Cámara 64) - Rosquete (Cañadas 68)

Goals:
1-0 Granero 3'
2-0 Higuaín 44'
3-0 Cristiano Ronaldo 75'
3-1 Pedro pen. 81'
4-1 Benzema pen. 84'
5-1 Xabi Alonso 89'

Referee : Paradas Romero. Very Poor. Tried to disguise his home favor by a few very deserved bookings and by sending Mourinho to the stands. But big decisions all went one way, cost Real Murcia 3 of Madrid's 5 goals.

Att. 75.000

Tuesday, November 9, 2010

Cup Second Leg - Madrid v Real Murcia

Kick off is at 8 p.m. tomorrow Wednesday (7 p.m. UK time), you can probably watch on the web, not on the club's website, but on the usual P2P pages such as www.rojadirecta.com.

Everyone expects Madrid to thump us - and this is possibly our best ally. The Bernabeu can quickly get on Madrid's back if they don't take an early lead and are being frustrated, so the more they are expecting a big win the better it is for us. I expect we will try to keep it to nil-nil as long as possible, try to frustrate.

For me a good result is anything less than a 4 goal defeat, as Madrid have dished out some thrashings to Primera sides already this season.

Coach Iñaki Alonso said today that :

"The team will be on the attack, our objective is to score at least a goal. On Monday we practiced penalties. We have to give everything for the fans that are going to see us, we have to show ourselves to be a team in capital letters at the Bernabeu, and enjoy ourselves. It is key to have no complex, no fear".

14 buses have been filled by Real Murcia. This is great....but.....where were all these people when we played "life or death" league games at Elche or Girona last season?

I think there will be many Madrid and Barcelona supporters using the cheap transport and cheap tickets made available by Murcia.....I hope Real Murcia fans give them the trip from hell. We should not have to accept that Madrid supporters from Murcia go to their Mecca on the back of our club - at the same time as they are wishing for it's defeat. Even less acceptable is that the Murcian Barcelona supporters suddenly discover a passion for Real Murcia when normally they ridicule anything to do with the club. Real Murcia cannot be used by the sheep when it suits them. You are either in or out....and if you are out.....leave us alone! Shows a total lack of respect to real Real Murcia fans by both white and blue-red plastic fans.

Oh dear....that turned into a rant. Will be there tomorrow....

VAMOS REAL MURCIAAAA!!!!

Monday, November 8, 2010

Ceuta 2 Real Murcia 1

First defeat for Real Murcia in any competition this season. It was always going to be a tough away game against one of the better sides in the division. Pedro gave us the lead with a header in the first half, Ceuta equalized straight after the break and scored their winner in the 93rd minute with a header from a corner. It wasn't our day.....Cañadas fluffing a great chance to put us back in front late in the game.

Ceuta:
Nauzet
Vitor - Baigorri - Zamora - Cañas
Sandro - Modeste (Gúzman 45') - Ormazábal - Navarro (Berrocal 80')
Silva (David Torres 70') - Seguro

Real Murcia:
Alberto
Gago - Luciano - Amaya - Óscar Sánchez
Carles - Cámara - Aquino (Abraham Noe 54') - Pedro
Richi (Cañadas 64') - Kike (Rosquete 71')

Goals:
0-1 Pedro (40')
1-1 Navarro (48')
2-1 David Torres (89').

Referee : Mr. Figueroa Vázquez. An absolute disgrace. Clueless. Failed to spot or sanction 3 elbows to Real Murvcia players, yet was over zealous with his wistle for anything else, giving fouls for minimal or zero contact, always in favour of the home side.

Let's forget this one as soon as possible, and our next game gives us a great opportunity to do so : Madrid at the Bernabeu in the Cup on Wednesday.

Sunday, November 7, 2010

Dream Sequence



Ceuta - Real Murcia, Sunday 7th November. Hopeful punt from Pedro rebounds of three different players before nestling into the back of the net. It is the 97th minute and we go one nil up. There isn't time for more, not one more kick, the ref blows for time and we extend our advantage at the top after Sevilla Atletico and Cadiz both drop points.

Wednesday 10th November, a packed Bernabeu applauds Real Murcia off the pitch after a famous and deserved 0 - 2 against Madrid's galacticos. Marca run a full front page of Isaac screaming open mouthed to the heavens persued by ecstatic team mates after beating the offside trap, rounding Iker Casillas and belting the ball home from a tight angle to make it 2 nil. Florentino Perez refuses to answer questions, and the next morning José Mourinho leaves Madrid by mutual consent.

In the cup we get Barcelona, win 2 nil at the New Condomina, and lose 3 - 1 at The Nou camp, our goal coming from a Carles Puyol own-goal header in the 92nd minute. Through on away goals.

Quarter final draws us against Mallorca who we dismiss 6 - 0 on aggregate.

Semi finals we breeze past Atletico Madrid, El País front page titles "Miracle on the Segura".

The Final at Mestalla in Valencia has us up against Deportivo La Coruña, three quarters of the ground is red. We claw our way back after being 1 down, extra time brings no more scores and it goes to penalties. By this time it is pouring with rain. After ten penalties each, all converted, only the goalkeepers remain, sudden death. Deportivo's keeper steps up and blasts his shot over the bar. Alberto needs to score to win Real Murcia their first Copa del Rey. It rains harder. He steps up and hits a weak effort, and in slow motion you can see the Deportivo goalie smiling as it heads confortably into his chest....but, suddenly the wet ball squirms from his grasp, spins around, bounces off a heel and trickles over the line. Eva Franco in La Verdad runs an article critisising the side's lack of goals in such a big game.

Deportivo fail to recover from this, lose all their remaining league games, and are relegated back to Segunda. They fail to meet the deadline for paying players wages and are relegated directly to segunda B.

In the league we go into the play-off unbeaten, and thrash Getafe B 12 - 1 on aggregate, winning the first leg 0 - 12, but falling 0 - 1 in the return at the Condomina, Sergio Fernandez, Jesus Samper and Iñaki Alonso putting themselves in the starting 11. Many supporters brandishing Madrid and Barcelona tracksuits leave waving their hankercheifs on 80 minutes, cursing and vowing never to come back. Promotion is assured.

FC Balsicas Cartagena are relegated to segunda B after a 5 team last-day conspiracy, due to goal difference, a single goal, after a strange 0 - 7 home defeat for Numancia by Huesca (Juan Cruz Ochoa scoring the vital 7th goal on 98 minutes, clearly punching the ball into the net). Going down with them are Villarreal B, Albacete and Girona. La Opinión publish a full page photo of the referee, with a target on his forehead. Ochoa is given the freedom of the city of Murcia, and considers going into politcs after coming top of an opinion poll which questioned "Who should be our next Mayor?".

Barcelona's crazy finances finally blow up and they default on their loans, are unable to refinance and are relegated. After a brilliant piece of legal shenanagans, lawyers Samper and Samper find a loophole and uncover a conspiracy by Deportivo president Lendoiro and the referee of the Depor - Real Murcia match in 1990, which Depor won and were promoted instead of Real. In a landmark case, the leagues "historic debt" with Real Murcia is recognized, they repalce Barcelona in Primera, and all Depotivos titles are awared to Murcia.

Owner Jesus Samper declares absolute love for Real Murcia, sells off all his other business interests and invests all of the money Abramovich style in Real Murcia. Lionel Messi comes in from Barcelona in a cash plus player deal involving Dani Aquino.

Murcia qualify for the Europa League, and go on to beat Shaktar Donestsk in the final. 3rd in the league brings the Champions league to town.

Following season we win La Liga by 8 points and massacre Chelsea in the Champions league final. By this time Mourinho is back at Chelsea, and suffers an after match nervous breakdown.

2014, second Champions league trophy, 2nd league title, first league, cup and Champions league treble by a spanish side.

2015, Iñaki Alonso is made a saint at the Vatican by Pope Benedict XVI.

2016, Jesus Samper declares Real Murcia now have nuclear capability and has weapons pointing at Alicante, Cartagena and Pyongyang......

Then my alarm rang.

Moral of the story : Don't eat cheese at bedtime.

Ceuta - Real Murcia kick's off at 5 p.m. this afternoon, 4 p.m. UK time, and can be followed via the clubs official website ( www.realmurcia.es ).

Thursday, November 4, 2010

Undeserved

Can you imagine Real Murcia playing a Europa League group stage game at the New Condomina? Against a decent Bundesliga side who made the first knockout stage of the champions league the previous season? I would expect minimum 20,000 to turn up, as evidently we would be in primera and have had a very good season to qualify.

I can see why a really big club may have a lower attendance for such a tie - maybe a side who have played Champions league and a Europa League tie is unattractive. Perhaps Liverpool on a wet Thursday against Napoli may have only attracted 25 or 30,000 to Anfield.

I'll get to the point...

I just put the telly on....and they are showing Getafe against Stuttgart. GETAFE. The ground has one full part.....where the Stuttgart fans are located....and they must be thinking something is wrong with Spanish fans. A couple of thousand have made their way for a midweek european away tie, taking time off, spending their hard earned.....AND THEY OUTNUMBER THE LOCALS. The rest of the stadium is blue plastic empty seats.

I don't get it. Even if Getafe have put the prices to, whatever, 30 euros.....how can there be more people from Stuttgart, paying a plane fare, ticket to the match, beers, food etc., than locals? Those same Stuttgart fans wouldn't dream of not turning up to a home game. And I can't believe 75% of Getafe's season ticket holders are unemployed and can't afford it. Football seems to be very low priority unless Real Madrid or Barcelona are involved.

Sorry for the 1,000 Getafe fans that have bothered to turn up, but I hope they get relegated as soon as possible. UEFA league? 7,800 turned up for Real Murcia's segunda B match against Poli Ejido on Monday....when will it be our turn?

Coat!

Wednesday, November 3, 2010

Madrid - Real Murcia 2nd leg

Finally the date has been announced for the second leg...it is next Wednesday 10th November at 8 p.m. (7 p.m. UK time) at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Can we get a result? Realistically? Why not? I have a dream.....YES WE CAN!

A 1-1 draw puts us through....

Monday, November 1, 2010

Real Murcia 2 Poli Ejido 0

Good performance from Real today, never really in doubt once we took the lead. Poli Ejido were a bit better than some of the visitors we have seen, but Murcia are going to be too strong for most of the sides in the division. Yet to concede a goal at home in league or cup.

Real Murcia:
Alberto
Ander Gago - Luciano - Ivan Amaya - Góngora
Albiol - Carles (Cámara, 51') - Richi (Isaac, 45') - Pedro
Kike (Abraham, 61') - Chando

Poli Ejido:
Javi Ruiz
Duque - Galiano - Moscardó - Iosu Villar
Chema (Platero, 76') - Moreno - Hedrera (Arkaitz, 76') - Munuera
Cortijo - Katxorro (Samuel, 90')

Goals:

1-0. Pedro (34')
2-0. Chando (60')

Att : 7.850

Updated table

Sunday, October 31, 2010

Real Murcia - Ejido via the internet....

For those of you in the UK or elsewhere....you can see tomorrow's game live via the internet on www.realmurcia.es from 16.00 p.m. UK time (17.00 in Spain). Must win must win must win....

Friday, October 29, 2010

Snowball



Yep, I know I'm being boring and banging on about it......but I nearly choked on my breakfast this morning. The missus had put the telly on...Tele 5.....and when it came to the "sports" news it was a complete joke.

There were some Copa Del Rey ties last night, and fans of those involved must be fuming, as only at the very end, only in passing and with zero detail, was any mention made. What came first? Yep, you guessed, non-news for the white and bluered. Xabi Alonso has been recording and publicity spot. Second? David Villa and Messi getting make-up for another publicity spot. Is it any wonder most of Spain say the Copa del Rey no interesa , and that anything other than supporting one of the duopoly like sheep is ridiculed? Why do "sports" reporters tut and shake their heads when another side goes into administration when they actively contribute by total ignorance, ridicule and treating everyone but the mighty Madrid and all conquering Barsa as complete nobodies?

Kids in Santiago, Seville, Albacete, Salamanca, Cordoba, Murcia....everywhere......are force fed crap and end up growing to being on one side or the other of the boring and tedious duopoly, not realizing that Madrid=Barsa=Madrid=Barsa, supporting Madrid is the same as supporting Barsa and vice-versa. Fine if you a vested interest....like being a Madrileño or a Barcelonés. But damaging elsewhere where you local outfit really struggle for support.

Is it only winning that matters? Not for me.

Thursday, October 28, 2010

Back to Reality.....

Next league fixture in on MONDAY 1st November (it is a bank holiday in Spain - All Saints day) at 5 p.m. (4 p.m. in the UK) at home against Poli Ejido. Should be available to watch via the intenet on official club website.

A must win for Real Murcia. Given the rules for gaining promotion to segunda, finishing first is no guarantee, but it does give you two chances. Finish below and your chances are fewer (the teams placed 2nd, 3rd and 4th also play off). The winners of the four groups of segunda B are in a draw....so you have a home and away tie between group winners. The winners of those 2 ties are promoted. The 12 teams placed 2nd, 3rd and 4th play a first round of ties (a straight draw, home and away) and 6 are eliminated. The 6 teams qualified plus the 2 group winners who lost their play off, then play another round of home and away ties to eliminate another 4 teams. The 4 that remain again play home and away and the 2 winners are promoted. So 4 sides go up from Segunda B to segunda. The whole process means teams are still playing off when all others have already been on holiday for a month.....

Confused? You are not alone!

Wednesday, October 27, 2010

Real Murcia 0 Madrid 0

Madrid were very fortunate to get away with a draw. Although they did most of the attacking, they were lucky to finish the first half with 11 men - Diarra should have been off, then referee didn't have the bottle to send him off for a bad tackle that would have been his second booking. Nor did he have the balls to referee evenly, failing to see any fouls against Real Murcia whilst minimum contact on Ronaldo or Pedro León and their outrageous dives were immediately awarded fouls. He choked when Raul Albiol clearly handled in the box.

Teams :

Real Murcia:
Dani Hernández
Ander Gago - Luciano - Iván Amaya - Óscar Sánchez
Carles - Richi - Miguel Albiol - Dani Aquino (Pedro 57')
Cañadas (Mario Marín 64') - Kike (Rosquete 77').

Madrid:
Casillas
Sergio Ramos - Pepe - Raúl Albiol - Arbeloa
Diarra - Granero (Khedira 62') - Pedro León - Canales
Cristiano Ronaldo (De María 69') - Benzema (Higuaín 62').

Att. 20.674

Star performances from Dani Hernandez in goal with several good saves, Carles was everywhere in Midfield, and the defence in general looked very strong.

For Madrid Pedro León's performance was woeful. Diving, unsporting, failed to deliver a decent cross in 90 minutes, and chickened out of taking any more corners after delivering 4 or 5 poor efforts. Strutted off as if he were a world star....obviously been watching Ronaldo too closely.

Tuesday, October 26, 2010

Excited? No!....Pissed off!


Last night and this morning the sports news on TV and Radio has been a clear and concise guide as to why only Real Madrid and Barcelona exist is Spanish football.

I listened to 15 minutes of coverage about tonights game......I even know what Madrid's players had for dinner, will have had for breakfast, who is playing, who is resting, who signed autographs, which hotel they are in, how many adolescent girls threw their knickers at Ronaldo, what time they arrived, what their movements are this morning, Mourinho's latest attempts at irony, the route their bus will take from the hotel to the stadium......etc. etc. etc. The fact is, their host, Real Murcia, was NOT EVEN MENTIONED by name. Not once. Unbeaten in 5 months, top of our table, unimportant compared to the dilemma between croissant and toast for Sergio Ramos's breakfast. Whatever, I hope he gets the shits. It's total disrespect to our centenary club.

Normally the prospect of a midweek cup game gets me going. But today is different. I know there will be white shirts in our end. We are likely to get a hiding. But most of all....

I HATE REAL MADRID AND EVERYTHING ABOUT THEM.

And before any blanco sheep jump to their usual dumb conclusions....

I FKIN HATE BARCELONA TOO!

REAL MURCIA....ONLY YOU!

Sorry about all the hate today. I'll get me coat!

Monday, October 25, 2010

Just incase you forgot...

http://oneandonlyrealmurcia.blogspot.com/2010/09/sheep.html

BEEEEEE BEEEEEE

Sunday, October 24, 2010

Local Hero?

On Tuesday, it is likely that Pedro Leon will be in Real Madrid's line up at the New Condomina. Pedro came up through Real Murcia's youth system, made his debut while a teenager, became a regular in our side, and seemed like a nice lad who would make a good career at the club, eventually maybe moving on for big bucks. He was one of our own. For whatever reason, Pedro suddenly, shall we say, "matured" during the 06-07 promotion season, under Lucas Alcaraz.

I say matured.....from being humble, he suddenly started demanding a first team berth, making his own mind up about his best position, and complaining about some invented ill treatment from the coach. You would think he had been out of the side for a stint, or was being made to play right back or something, but this wasn't the case. Things came to a head and he turned up at the club's offices with a fax from Levante with a transfer offer, and claimed he had always dreamed of playing for that club. These are not the actions of a committed youth product.....whether he was influenced by greedy agents or whoever, I don't know but it is likely. He got his way and was transferred to Levante for a couple of million euros (which I think they still owe us!).

Now here's the strange thing......despite Pedro Leon's behaviour in forcing a transfer, 75% of Real Murcia's fans take the easy hack-guided route and blame arch bad-guys Lucas Alcaraz and owner Jesus Samper for his departure. Unfortunately the fact that many supporters always blame the club for whatever happens as a matter of course, is a cross Real Murcia have to bare, and nothing will change that. The worst of this attitude was shown when Pedro came to visit with Levante.....scoring a decent goal (how predictable!) and far from being booed and jeered....was bloody applauded! A guy who basically stuck two fingers up at us. Incredible.

Pedro Leon grabs his Real Murcia badge and shows his passion (photo 1)....just a few months away from becoming frustrated by lack of oportunities, despite being in the first 11 almost every game.



Cue his move to Levante....here he is at the club of his dreams (Photo 2).....little did they know that just 12 month later he would be pulling a similar stunt on them, even going on stike in order to force a move away....



Real Valladolid were his next destination....here he is (photo 3) loving the shirt. Oh but don't fall for it. Just a few months later young Pedro was unhappy again and demanding a move away....



Pedro was turning in some good performances, admittedly. His next port of call...Getafe (photo 4)....but, again....a few months later...he was off....



Finally he has arrived at his desired destination (photo 5)....the top....Real Madrid. Will Pedro now think he is bigger than this club, as he did with Murcia, Levante, Valladolid and Getafe?




I'm sure the numpty sheep who follow the press anti-murcia line will again give Pedro Leon a nice sporting round of applause, and make agreeing nodding faces at each other, before turing to the directors box to tell them "now THAT is a player!".

But....there are a few of us, a minority, who will give León his deserved welcome....and will boo and jeer his every move. I find it unbelieveable that some people welcome someone who shat on us from a height and has continued to crap on all and sundry year after year.....he's had more clubs that Jack Niklaus....5 in 5 seasons. As far as I am concerned he represents the very worst type of player. Talented, but unscrupulous, cunning, canniving, greedy, vile lying toerag....and Pedro, you can go shove it up you hole, and those who will dumbly applaude as you stick the knife in can shove it up their's too.

I'll get me coat.

Real Betis B 1 Real Murcia 1

At face value looks like a good point at a difficult away game, but in reality I think we let Betis off the hook. Pedro had 2 fairly easy chances in the last few minutes and missed with both. Apart from their goal, Alberto really wasn't troubled all afternoon, whilst Razak in Betis's goal made a string of good saves. Despite their high position in the table, I think Betis B were disappointing - preferring to spend the game rolling around on the floor play acting, feigning injury, arguing with the referee and timewasting.

Real Betis B:
Razak
Regino - Alejandro - Juanito - Rodríguez
Chema (Jurado, 45') - Ryan (José Antonio, 45') - Bernal (Manu, 76') - David
Damián - Edgar.

Real Murcia:
Alberto
Gago - Gotor - Amaya - Góngora
Aguilera (Albiol, 66') - Carles - Isaac (Abraham, 63) - Pedro
Richi (Cañadas, 76') - Chando.

Goal:
0-1 Chando (40')
1-1 Regino (48')

Friday, October 22, 2010

Betis B - Real Murcia via the web....

You can follow the game via the official website ( www.realmurcia.es ), kick off is at 16,30 p.m. spanish time, 15,30 p.m. in the UK.

Tricky game...Betis B are unbeaten at home in a year, third in the table and could equal our points total if they win.

The Cup game at home to Real Madrid is now TUESDAY 26th at 8 p.m.

Tuesday, October 19, 2010

Monday, October 18, 2010

Sunday, October 17, 2010

Real Murcia 2 Estepona 0

Real Murcia:

Alberto
Gago - Luciano - Amaya - Góngora
Aguilera - Richi - Albiol (Aquino, 70') - Pedro (Isaac, 45')
Kike (Rosquete, 54') - Chando

Estepona:
Ávila
Gaitán - Jonathan - Arias - Burgueña (Pecas, 80')
Curro - Igna - Durán - Pedro
Cabello (Ríos, 59') - Cruz (Chupi, 59')

Goals:
1-0 Kike (17')
2-0 Pedro (42')

Att : 7.368

Still top and clear by 3 points, but this should have been a much higher score, Murcia missing 3 easy chances in the first half, Kike, Albiol and Gago guilty of being wasteful in front of goal. Second half was forgettable.

Bright spot was that Aguilera looks a class act and improves with each game....and to think that he was going to be loaned out....he was all over the place, tackles well, distributes the ball intelligently, good in the air, gets out of tight corners with skill...man of the match for me.

I Choose Sport and Ignorance

Bit of an off topic, but football related.

I always prided myself on being up to date, informed of world goings on, and able to discuss or have an opinion on most situations. Any international story or current affairs, the economy or stock markets, natural disasters, murder, famine, who is fighting who and the usual cat up tree or eccentric inventor story they end the news with to leave us with a smile on our faces. Now I only know about football.

Maybe it's the passing of time and that I am now fortysomething, but I try to watch the news as little as possible. I prefer to sit there in silent ignorance rather than have to sit through it. This was reinforced strongly this week, when in error I entered the kitchen whilst Mrs. Guiri was watching the telly.....and the news was on.

Strikes, social strife, murder, another murder, toxic waste poisoning the countryside, a woman murdering a 2 day old baby, nations goading other nations, roadside bombs, drive by shootings, stabbings......then the non-news about which rich and famous bimbo is bedding which rich and famous gigolo, or which big brother 4 runner up has had a nosejob, or ageing crooner has had a breakdown, overdose or hair implant. To sum up.....I would be happier not knowing. In the case of the news, because it only makes you stressed and concerned for the future, and in the case of the non news....well....it has zero interest anyhow. Being ignorant helps keep you happy.

Sport is different. Worries about whether the ref is going to be an ass or if your star striker is going to be fit for Saturday can ruffle the brow but not have you thinking the world is disintigrating into anarchy. Chelsea and Man City's future undeserved world dominance is less of a worry than, say, that Islam will be world dominant in a century. Real Madrid can make you angry, but a pending Ebola pandemic can mean we all go to hell.

But sod it....I can't be arsed to carry the world on my shoulders any more. If the Israelis and the Palestinians are going at it, if the Indians and the Pakistanis are about to anihilate each other, if Obama and Merkel are expecting a lovechild, if N3F6B7 has wiped out half of China......the conversation will leave me wide eyed, open mouthed and silent. But don't get me started on football coz i'll be opinionated, spitting fire and shaking my fist.

I know it's ignorant and stupid. So what?

COAT!

Real Murcia, out of Administration

Real Murcia have managed to bring themseleves out of administration after reaching an agreement with all of their creditors. There will now be a one year parenthesis until a new 5 year agreement beings (September 2011), to repay the 29 million euros of total debt. This figure has been helped by the transfer of Sergio Escudero to Shalke 04 and by the money being generated by the cup tie with Real Madrid.

The administrators will no longer be completely in charge, and will take a back seat as supervisors.

The 29 million euro debt consists of :

17 million ordinary debt (includes the 5 million indemnity payment to the LFP - Professional Football League - from when Jesus Samper negotiated his own TV deal)

5 million to the taxman.

7 million to Samper's own companies - this can be repayed outside of the 5 year plan.

Thursday, October 14, 2010

Real Madrid Ticket sales.....

Queues this morning at the box office as the remainder of the tickets went on sale. The abonados took up 12,744....leaving aprox. 16,000 for general sale (the club keep a couple of thousand back to keep the usual slimy hand-wringing grovelling corruptable politicians happy, including snacks and free drinks, whilst not having to queue up pay like mere mortals).

Ho-hum. There was a smell of farmyard and some bleating was heard......

Monday, October 11, 2010

We are all equal....some more than others.....

Last week, Yayo Delgado very rightly drew attention to the poor application of the law regarding alochol in Spanish Football stadiums. The Antiviolence law clearly states that any alcohol consumption will result in a 3.001 euro fine, and a ban of so many months from attending any sporting event.

"If they catch you with a can of beer in the stadium, you will be hit with a 3.000 euro fine, and punished with a ban from any sporting arena for a time. The sacred antiviolence law. But two meters away, there can be some big boss with fat fingers and a tasteless silk tie who whilst watching how the police remove the heartless offender who opened a can at halftime to accompany his meat pie, is toasting with his twentieth half of premium lager, that's if not with a glass of Champagne. There have always been classes, and quite well the big bosses can have their private box to themselves, snacks, prawns, chocolates and smiling hostesses with prominent cleavage. Great. But what makes them exempt from the law?"

At our own New Condomina, this season we find that the new "law against violence, racism, xenophobia and intolerance in sport" has gone to the length of banning the entrance of bottled water. In small plastic bottles. And this is carried out to the letter....not one plastic bottle will enter, in the name of tolerance. This is nannystate gone mad. All this while the suited politicians and the powerful quaff ice cold beer and high end Cava (No? If they had lukewarm no alcohol beer in card cups, they would never miss the first 5 minutes of the second half EVER).

The law is crystal clear, and I quote from official state bulletin 166, chapter 1, article 4....."It is prohibited at instalations where sporting competions take place, the introduction, sale and consumption of all classes of alcoholic drinks".

Does it say that the directors box is exempt? No. Does it say that the law only applies in Primera and Segunda? No.

Yesterday, at Yeclano's La Constitucion...er..."stadium", fresh cool and very alcoholic lovely beer was on sale in the stadium, and was consumed by all and sundry until the barrel was dry. Today we read how the people of Yecla, the club, are up in arms at what they feel was terrible drink fuelled behavior by Real Murcia supporters. Fair enough....but you can't on one hand try to make the most of your probably only full house of the year by selling beer in the ground, with the cash that it creates, and then complain when a minority misbehave. Were the police officers in Yecla unaware of chapter 1, article 4, that is so vigorously applied at the NC? Were they very well aware and part of the scam? Was a blind eye being turned?

The law is again crystal clear on responsability in article 5 of the same law .... "persons physical or legal who organize whatever test, competition or sporting spectacle referred to in article 1 of this law or the events the consist or form part of said competitions, will be patrimonially and administrationally responsible for the damage an disturbances that can be produced by their lack of diligence, prevention or by not adopting preventive measures estabilshed by this law".

A lot of the trouble was indeed drink fuelled. But neither Yeclano or the local police can point fingers - actively or passively, they let it happen by being greedy or by forgetting their responsibility to the general public. Zero prevention, zero diligence.

I'll get my coat!

Updated table



So still top despite the draw, but Cadiz lost again!

Next up....Estepona at the NC. Must be a Home banker.

Yeclano 1 Real Murcia 1

Happy to come away with a draw.....I have never seen a pitch so small, and Real Murcia found it hard to adapt, and the officials (especially the linesmen) were so close to the fans that they were clearly influenced. The stadium, Yeclano and the Police were clearly ill prepared for such a game.

Yeclano:
Bernal
André Luiz - San José - Chino (Raúl. 77') - Piru
Vilaseca - Cano (Crivi, 60') - Andrés - Biri (Juan Carlos, 64')
Tomás - Tonete.

Real Murcia:
Alberto
Luciano (Isaac, 54') - Gotor - Amaya - Óscar Sánchez
Aguilera - Richi - Cañadas (Pedro, 45') - Albiol
Kike (Aquino, 75') - Chando.

Goals:
1-0. Andre Luiz (27')
1-1. Pedro( pen 89')

Referee : López Amaya. OK. Correct decision on the penalty.

This is how close you are to the action.



Tickets for the game were without seat numbers or even an indication of which stand to go to. This is crazy....and even before the game there were some incidents. Once the Real Murcia fans had been confined to one side of the pitch (you can't call it a stand, it was just pitchside with 2 steps) the home fans started insulting Murcia with shouts of "Puta Murcia" (Whore Murcia) and "Efese" (in support of Cartagena) clearly provoking the visiting fans.



Real Murcia struggled once behind....Yeclano worked hard and stifled almost all our attacks. They also used underground tactics; wasting time, play acting....kicking balls onto the pitch whilst Murcia attacked. The worst case being when, after Richi was clearly fouled in the box and Pedro was taking the penalty, a ball being thrown on from behing the goal - it didn't put Pedro off, who scored, but the referee decided that the kick should be repeated. What if Pedro had missed the retake?



On the final whistle, a few fans went on the pitch, mostly just to pat the players on the back......the police reaction was to charge. One fan, perhaps a little the worse for beer intake, but certainly not being agressive, was violently shoved in the chest and fell to the ground - OK he should not have been on the pitch, but that cannot justify GBH. Others were hit repeatedly and unnecessarily with truncheons. It must be boring being a copper in a one horse town, and they seemed to be enjoying throwing their weight around. They seemed to be out of control, undermanned, and were just not up to the task.

Yeclano as a club should take responsability for failing to segregate home and away supporters, and for the incidents that followed.

The official club website informs that the bus carrying the Real Murcia club players and officials was stoned and some of the windows smashed.

Yecla.....I hope we never go back.

Sunday, October 10, 2010

Yeclano - Real Murcia via the web....



This weeks game at Yecla will finally be available to see through the official club website ( www.realmurcia.es ). Kick off is at 6 p.m. (5 p.m. for those in the UK).

This is a tough away game, despite Yeclano's poor position in the league. It's their cup final, it is a very small tight ground, and there should be a good and maybe even hostile atmosphere. The "La Constitucion" stadium has a capacity of around 4,500.

Real Murcia have sold all their allocation of 450 tickets......and one of them is mine. Setting off at around 4 p.m., feeling wobbly after yesterdays wedding.

Another 3 points will keep Cadiz at arms length.

Photo : La Constitucion, Yecla.

Friday, October 8, 2010

FRIDAY!

I love Friday.....every Friday.....and today is special, as the weekend is going to be a good 'un. Starting in about half an nhour, almuerzo with friends, wedding tomorrow, up to Yecla for the game on Sunday, then Monday and Tuesday off before heading down to Morocco on Wednesday.

All's good......the club have sold over 8.000 tickets for the Real Madrid game in 3 days and sale is limited to passholders. I can imagine that there will be sheep sleeping at the door of the NC when the tickets go on general sale. Thats the cult of personality for you. Owner Jesus Samper has said he isn't too worried about the corruption scandal...and that it won't effect the club. Oh dear.....

Anyhow.....have a good weekend!

Wednesday, October 6, 2010

Ouch!

Big anti-corruption operation by the Guardia Civil yesterday in Murcia....all to do with land and building in the north of the city, and this of course includes the NC complex (Stadium, shipping centre and housing) amongst others.

The investigation is centred around civil servants granting favor to developers; requalifying land so that they can build more, surveying the value downwards to therefore avoid paying many millions in tax. Charges include embezzlement of public funds, bribery, money laundering, etc. etc.

Real Murcia president and majority shareholder Jesus Samper is one of the accused, along with councilors, lawyers and other civil servants. His home was searched yesterday.

As a taxpayer.....if proven....I hope they all spend a long time behind bars. Will this effect the club? I have no idea....

Embezzlement, bribery, money laundering.....this sounds like part of the storyline to Guy Ritchie's excellent film "Rocknrolla" where the gangster/developers have their councilor in their pocket....or by the balls as it turns out.

Monday, October 4, 2010

The Price is Right?

Is getting Real Madrid in the cup a blessing for us Murcia supporters?

Yeah, I know, sounds like a stoopid question.....for the club it is great as they think they can cover half of the budget in one game, for the fans a chance to see our side up against some of the best. But....times are hard for most, and the real fans who have a season ticket, perhaps deserve a bit more than a 50% discount.

"What?"... I hear you saying....."a 50% discount is very reasonable". But think a little deeper and it really isn't.

Me, an abonado, go to see Real Murcia. Not whoever the rival is. I would still go to the game if we were playing Rayo Vallecano reserves, and I think this is the case for the 8.767 hardcore passholders. Prices to the general public for Real Murcia games are the same all season. For example, if I wanted to buy a ticket for the Fondo Sur where I sit, it is (I think) 15 euros. With a 50% discount it would be 7.50. I can understand that the club wants to bleed the "White Sheep" for as much money as possible to see their TV heroes in person.....But why should we have to pay an increase on the normal price just because of the hike in prices for general sale? By all means fleece the sheep.....but not your week in week out fans n'all.

Also....no discount for juniors or OAP's? In my house we are 4.....and it will cost 120 euros for all of us to go. I can't afford it right now.....who do I leave out? I can see my son opening his piggy bank and coming up with 17.85 euros in small coins and being very upset as he will be a few short. No discount for an 8 year old passholder? What is that about? Can a abonado pensioner afford 30, 45 or 55 euros?

I hope I'm wrong.....but I think they may have priced themselves out of a full house.

2 rants in 2 days. Thats Monday for ya.

Cup Tickets.....Real Murcia - Real Madrid

Tickets go on sale tomorrow, but until October the 11th only for Season ticket holders, who have a 50% discount.

Prices for general sale :
Goals South and North : 60 Euros
Lateral : 90 Euros
Tribune : 110 Euros

Season ticket holders :
Goals South and North : 30 Euros
Lateral : 45 Euros
Tribune : 55 Euros

Season ticket holders also have preference to buy any other tickets they need before they go on general sale to the public (at general sale price).

The box office will be open for season ticket holders :

- Tuesday 5th to Friday 8th : 9.30 a.m. to 13.30 p.m., and from 16.30 p.m. until 19.00 p.m.
- Saturday 9th : from 10.00 a.m. until 13.00 p.m.
- Monday 11th : 9.30 a.m. to 13.30 p.m., and from 16.30 p.m. until 19.00 p.m.

Sunday, October 3, 2010

Attention! Rant ahead!

Firstly......listen to this while you read.



Has something got to give?

With the news this week that Manchester City made a operating loss of 121 million pounds (€ 142,000,000…yes, count the zeros) you have to ask if this is any good at all for the health of the game in general. It does not match Chelsea’s loss to end all losses in 03/04 (141 million pounds - € 165,000,000), but is a massive amount. Yes both these teams have super-rich benefactors, but should the rest of the league, those who strive to be well run and within their means, face a situation where they are outpriced for players and transfers by clubs who just have no care if they lose even more money, as sugar daddy will pay. Or just take on even more debt. The leveraged buy outs at Man Utd and Liverpool have lumbered those clubs with massive, expensive debt. United’s profitable business only exists right now to pay off the interest on loans taken by the Glazers to buy the club. Liverpool…..are on the very brink. They owe RBS aprox. 500 million quid…..and haven’t a pot to piss in, have slipped into the relegation zone, have a old stadium in need of serious work (or a new stadium)......and to get back into the Champions league need serious investment in playing staff. RBS have put the debt into their “toxic” department (difficult recovery) and are adding 2.5 million per week in fines for non payment. Unless they come up with a serious buyer….with 6 or 700 million quid, it is likely they will default…and RBS will recover their money however they can. Tottenham are another club dependent on a benefactor, and their finances are covered up in the murkiness of Virgin Islands and Bahamas accounts – this week they registered an interest in taking over the London Olympic stadium after the games. To me this is almost an admission that they simply cannot afford to build a new stadium; given costs in London, it would cripple them. The top five today consists of mega losses City and Chelsea, United in huge debt, Tottenham’s media protected wheeler dealing….and 1 well run club who get zero credit as ”it’s all about tropies”.

The craziness in Spain by the big 2 resembles the arms race in the 80’s. The Americans and Russians spent and spent and spent on enough bombs to wipe out the whole planet…and just didn’t know when to stop, the justification being that the other side were doing exactly the same. But Barcelona’s situation is reaching a limit……their existing debt of 392,000,000 euros had another expensive 150,000,000 added to it by another loan from La Caixa this summer so that they could pay players wages. This makes me think the whole Cesc transfer saga was just a smokescreen to keep the truth out of the papers. That they have been making losses whilst winning the Champions league, the Spanish league and cup….but play to a half empty stadium for most run of the mill games, have a fully exploited commercial department, make me think that sooner or later the “more than a club” club will have to sell out and carry advertising on their shirt and sell the naming rights to the Nou Camp….and become just another club. They are seriously broke, have taken on higher wages (signing Villa from Valencia), and another expensive loan…..without unloading or cutting costs, so further losses can be expected. Only a fool will believe slimy Real Madrid president Florentino Perez’s official figures that give the whites a 24,000,000 euro profit in the last financial year. One can only imagine the jiggery pokery, smoke and mirrors and plain cooking the books to come up with this number. It seems the tax authorities are not impressed either, and have launched an investigation into the accounts. Only a few years ago Real were the benefactors in some distinctly dodgy land exchanges that earnt them a fortune. Spending 80,000,000 quid plus massive wages on Ronaldo…however many shirts you sell worldwide…..you can’t make it work. Real and Barsa, at the same time they lose money, take almost all the TV money available in Spain….the rest get the crumbs from their table. Mallorca, Real Sociedad, Sporting Gijon, Malaga and Levante from Primera are all in administration. Surely the football authorities realise something is wrong?

In both countries there is a serious risk that a big name will miss out on european competition qualification when the new financial fare play rules come in to effect in 2014. Teams will have to demonstrate break-even over a rolling three year period. City will never make it. Barcelona will have a massive struggle. Real Madrid will cook their books. Chelsea are desperately trying to reel in their massive overspending and impossible business model to meet the criteria. However.....I'm sure Platini will find a way for the big clubs.....I think the interest is to create a closed shop, not a level playing field. Time will tell.

Isn’t it time to step back?



The plastic new fans of success demand just that…and won’t accept less, and if less comes along they are first to get off the bus. It made me feel sick seeing stoopid gloryhunters applauding Ashley Cole this afternoon, like kin’ sealions on speed they were. A mercenary….only there for the money (why else?), who wouldn’t even fart in their direction, who would leave as soon as a higher bidder came along. And look what he did to the lovely Cheryl. Will he care if his next employer is overspending? If the blues slipped down to midtable….would the plastics be over at Arsenal or Tottenham if they were the new winners? I’m ranting about this because I am coming to the conclusion that top flight football makes me sick. It’s horrible, everything about it. And the plastics, the unmerited bought success, the unfair advantages, the crazy debts, the complete bollocks spouted by the media (who systematically cover up any bad news, they can’t risk losing advertisers or viewers)….make me think that the real football and real fans I have experienced this week at Loftus Road and the NC in lower divisions, are the best places to be. Should they strive to attain top flight footy and try to compete on an uphill pitch against sides doped up on money?

End of rant.

Table after day 7....

Makes good reading after the weekend :



The hacks will say that we still lack goals.....but when you have shipped just 2 in 7 games, and even those were an own goal and a dubious penalty....you have to say the method is working......AND LOOK WHO IS TOP! They will also forget to mention that we are 5th highest scorers, and the meanest defence. But hey, reading that berk Ernesto Fernandez in La Opinion, he thinks he is a better coach than Mourinho, and evidently has never been interested in segunda B football....as he hasn't a clue. Last week he demanded Isaac as a starter and strongly criticised Kike Garcia. This week Isaac started and Kike was on the bench.....and did we score 5, or will Mr. know-it-all say we worse in attack? You stick to information Ernesto. Yer Numpty.

Real Murcia 1 Almeria B 0

Fortunate victory......we really didn't seem to be at it today, chances were few and far between, and Almeria clearly came to stifle us. The game looked as if it was ending in a draw after Almeria had missed a couple of good chances......but then, luck finally smiled on us.....I can't remember the last time we had an own goal or a deflection go in....

Real Murcia:
Alberto
Gago - Amaya - Luciano - Óscar Sánchez
Aguilera - Richi (Rosquete, 76') - Isaac (Albiol, 67') - Cañadas (Aquino, 56')
Pedro - Chando

Almería B:
Álvaro
Trujillo - Alberto - Moyano - Antonio
Rubio (José Ramón, 84') - Roberto (Andreev, 54') - César - Hugo Álvarez
Lillo - Juanma (Cristóbal, 63')

Goal
1-0. Trujillo (o.g. 88')

Referee : Sanchis Cambra. Quite an easy game for the referee.

Att : 7,160

More good news a while after the game.....Betis B did us the favour of winning at Cadiz.....so whatever happens in tomorrow's games, Real Murcia will be top of the table!