Wizards/Sporting Alumni v9.1 [R for all games]

Julio Cesar released by TFC

So, neither FSC nor ESPN have the NCFC/Wigan match listed. I guess the best option will be firstrow?
Any idea if Roger will see the pitch?

Based on the last few games I doubt it.

What's the story with Espinoza? If it's out there I've missed it. Is there anything from the team or at least is there any speculation from the fans?

Well, he played just fine for Honduras. And I thought he was playing alright back when he was suiting up for Wigan. But something disconnected there. I don't know... it's too bad. If this were happening with Kei, the end result could still be a win for us, even if it's a disappointment for him. But with Roger, he runs the risk of just vanishing over there.

Sorry but I am hoping for a Ricardo Clark return. Hope he doesn't play and comes back to us next year.

It's really odd, I thought he'd been playing well for them. His last appearance was as a sub against Liverpool when they were already down 4-0. I thought that'd be a catalyst for a few starts for him, but he hasn't seen the field since.

Maybe Martinez doesn't like his hippy hair?

Kind of like Mr. Burns?

Martinez doesn't play new signings at Wigan during the January window immediately.. usually they don't touch the field at all. He'll probably watch and learn from the bench and prepare for next season where he will see a lot more time. Wigan and The Great Escape from relegation goes hand and hand every single season.

The thing is... Roger played the first several games after he signed, including a start or two, I think?

I listened to the post-game show and I thought I heard Andy Edwards mention that he thought that Kei would be back. I wonder why he thinks that.

He played FA Cup (?) started 1 and subbed on another.. fans were surprised Martinez had put him in this early. I'm telling you this from what Latics fan tell me. I don't think its Roger's under-performing, its coaches decisions.

Norwich is bringing in a budding star from Sporting Lisbon this summer, there's talk a couple of pages back about it. That may be driving his opinion.

I would think they would still keep Kei to have some aerial options, as Holt is their prior target man but he's like 70 and can't run anymore.

But yeah, the steal of van Wolfswinkel is a pretty solid deal for Norwich, and one that is going to mess with their roster for sure.

And now Herc Gomez has tweeted out a picture of himself in a Chivas USA shirt. I suspect April foolery there, but do we still own his MLS rights?

Yes we still do own his MLS rights, but yeah it's April Fools.

I thought they expired after two years? Or did we not need to trade for Convey's rights?

We got Convey from San Jose. But Portland traded the rights for Findley and Bornstein after the 2 year window.

3-1 Arsenal over NCFC today.

Kei continues to get love from the FSC announcers. Looked better today on the right wing than the center front spot he's occupied the last few games. NCFC still isn't a super effective offense, but their set piece goal today was quite clever (they let Holt and Kei draw the crowd to goal so Turner could come in and get a head on it.)

He needs to find something to finish though, I don't think he had a clear chance all day. This is the most frustrating scenario possible - he's playing well enough that he probably won't come back to us, BUT he's not making it rain goals.

He got called for a PK foul in the box by the linesman (same one who missed an offsides call that allowed another Arsenal goal later.) There was mutual shirt-pulling going on, and Kei got the ball. Easy no-call in most situations. But Arsenal at home get the benefit. At least that wasn't the difference in the game.

Kei not starting today. I hope that is good news for us.

just came here to say that

Kei came in as a sub around the 71' mark with Norwich down 0-1. They won a penalty and Holt made it to pull NCFC level. Then Agbonlahor scored late to put AVFC ahead 2-1. Kei put a nice ball onto Holt's noggin, and with Guzan way out of position and the goal wide open, Holt headed it wide and Villa hung on to win 2-1.

So interesting decision ahead for Norwich this week. They still aren't clear of relegation, they've already spunked for Ricky Van Wolfswinkel, so what do they do about Kei? Sign him and try to flog Holt, who isn't exactly a hot commodity in the Prem. Or let Kei go back to SKC?