Tuesday bits and pieces…

One. Anyone know why Cristiano seems determined to always roll up the left leg of his shorts?  I’ve noticed him doing that a lot in practice since the team’s time in Los Angeles (and didn’t notice it last year) and he’s even done it in games.  And FYI, I’ve already decided that the explanation that Cris is just a bit slutty like that isn’t going to cut it, so don’t even go there!

Two. And Mou’s announcement that Sergio will be one of the backup backup goalies makes me hope that Iker will be Sergio’s personal guide to the world of goalkeeping.  They can stay late together after practice jumping around, Iker can take Sergio shopping for (designer?) gloves, and then they can watch TV and bedazzle them together….

Three. Meanwhile, TSO is also bring back the dreaded concentraciones!  Last season, Pellegrini started off by requiring the players to spend the night together at the Mirasierra Suites before home games, before rescinding the rule midway through the season after the players sort of revolted.  Mourinho is reinstating the tradition as part of his micromanaging of the team (in the areas of training, nutrition and rest).  And I’m sure he doesn’t care one céntimo about what the players think of this.  Thus, the concentración will be mandatory before all official home games, in all competitions.

As further proof of how much Mou will be involved in the lives of his players, he’s requested that the hotel empty all the minibars (except for mineral water) in the rooms where the players will stay to make sure that the players will not snack on any unapproved foods or drinks.  The players also won’t have access to room service, pay TV or be allowed to receive calls in their rooms.  The thermostat will be set at 22 degrees.  Meanwhile, in the restaurant downstairs where they will eat meals, there will only be one (huge) table to foment the union of the players and avoid cliques from forming.  Go Mou!

Four. Some cantera news from Marca: 40 canteranos are playing in the Primera this season, including the four at Madrid (Adán, Iker, Arbeloa and Granero).  Barcelona “only” has 27, but 11 of those play on their first team, which is important to note.  Getafe is the main destination of our players, with six canteranos (Jordi Codina, Miguel, Borja, Mosquera, Parejo and Casquero, as well as Míchel, of course).  And there are eleven canteranos playing outside Spain.

This just shows that we do have quality players coming up the ranks, and that we have to emulate Barcelona in the sense that we have to have confidence in those players and promote them to the first team, instead of shipping them off elsewhere.  Let’s hope we can trim our plantilla down a bit by next season and promote some youth players!