Cesc, Messi, whatever

For some reason (perhaps it's the game on Wednesday?), there's all sorts of things out there about Cesc, Messi, the whole junior Barca team that had Gerard Pique thrown in as well, about how one fine day Cesc will return to the promised land and finally, the universe will be in balance. The Age of Aquarius will come to an end, and universal peace will descend upon Catalonia - which will then bring upon the second Golden Age in world football. Francesc and Lionel will sprout wings, and join up with the Angels Gabriel, Michael and Malachim.

Who gives a flying ___, you know. Let this be known: I'd always kinda liked Barca. Yeah, they play some good football. Yeah, they've got a footballing philosophy that we can relate to, and yeah they aren't Real Madrid - with all their self-promoting loathsome references to Galacticos. But I've decided I've changed my mind. I shit hate Barca. Their self-promoting loathsome references to footballing nirvana are majorly getting on my nerves. You know what - the day you get Cesc back, fine. We're gonna get by. No one player is ever bigger than a club. We know it, Cesc knows it and Barca - for all the brilliance of Messi - are fast losing the plot. So screw them. I'm rooting for Real now. I'll even watch Cristiano Ronaldo - that's how deep my revulsion for Barca goes right now. Win or lose v Barca, I no longer hold any regard for those shits at the Nou Camp. We're still the better team.

Anyways, there are more important things for us to do. Like look forward to the Birmingham game. It's probably a more difficult game than most Arse fans will admit to. Despite their indifferent form these days (coming after an amazing run of a couple of games undefeated early on), they really have only been beaten twice at home this season. And that was all the way back in September when they lost to Villa and Bolton (??). Since then, they've drawn at home to both Man U and Chelski. Anything we take from here will be great Forget all the nonsense about us playing at St Andrews for the first time since Eduardogate. Just give us three points. I won't even mind 1-0, even if it won't really help a growing goal difference deficit.

I think Alex McLeish has been one of the less grating managers around so far this season, and his comments on the physicality of the game are something anyone with half a brain could live with. Ahead of the game, he's said that "I'll certainly say to my team 'don't stand back and admire then', but there won't be any rough stuff."

Fair play to you then, Sir. Thanks. Good thing Billy will be out massaging his calf. Not sure what he'd do, contemplating that rather familiar centre-circle.

As far as our injury situation goes, there's nothing really new to be said. Bent Nick may just make it back - which is great news, since we all know Eduardo isn't really worth much these days. Give me Nick hopping around on one foot and I'll still take him ahead of Eduardo. At least Nick can still jump and head a ball, no? And he'll probably still be faster than Ed as well.

Alrighty then. Tomorrow's Saturday. At long long last. I can't believe I actually say through that Spurs-Fulham FA game in mid-week. How much more inane can mid-week get?

Toodle-oo.