Around La Liga: 11.18

Valencia:

Valencia: President Llorente said that was a mistake to start work on the Nou Mestalla, now standing almost two years without a financial plan. When they get the necessary funding, work will resume and will be completed within eighteen to twenty months. http://yhoo.it/9UIozE

Villareal: along with Sevilla, Athletic Bilbao, Espanyol, Real Sociedad and Zaragoza, Villarreal decided against the new television deal. They argue that the big two will only take a shared hit of 6%, while the benefits for the rest are negligible in comparison. They contend that the deal supports a system that limits teams aspiring to break into the elite and increases the gap between the rich and the middle class in Spanish Football.
http://bit.ly/crHhrG

Levante: Christmas came early for Levante UD. The Copa del Rey draw pitted them against Jose Mourinho´s Real Madrid. For a club on shaky financial ground, the influx of business from the next round´s double sided affair is a helping hand.
http://bit.ly/bKgNZN

Hercules: Royston Drenthe was left off the list of Hercules coach, Esteban Vigo, for Sunday's match against Espanyol in Barcelona (17.00 hours) because of an ulcer of the esophagus. The Dutchman´s time at Hércules has been interesting indeed. Drunken car chases, inspiring fans in blackface,the birth of his first child, and now hospitalized with an ulcer? I think he needs to relax. http://bit.ly/bIgWgR

Andalusia:

Sevilla: The case investigating Sevilla President Jose Maria del Nido has sprung up again in Marbella and hit a wider net. Apparently falling on the late Atlético de Madrid President (and former Marbella mayor) Jesús Gil. Imagine that. His daughter and former personal secretary Miriam Gil was called to the stand. She denies any involvement stating her father said little of the city, that she was on her honeymoon during the meetings in question.¨ http://bit.ly/aAcHkZ

Malaga: Not with you nor against you. Malaga CF has refused to join either the 31 clubs that support the FC Barcelona/Real Madrid proposal, nor the counter-proposal led by Sevilla´s Jose Maria del Nido. The club has decided to wait for events to unfold. http://bit.ly/9v1maD

Almeria: As expected, the number one candidate for the vacant position at Almería was former Racing and Real Zaragoza coach Marcelino Garcia Toral. He seemed keen on the challenge, but the main obstacle was apparently his salary demands. With him out of the picture look for the Magic Mullet, Nestor Gorosito to climb in the picture. http://bit.ly/9Pefoa

Madrid:

Atletico de Madrid: Is this when Atlético de Madrid change their luck, their run of form, when streaks that have lasted for decades come to an end? Los colchoneros hadn´t beaten Real Sociedad at Anoeta in thirteen times. Eleven losses and two draws. Unlucky number. Is Real Madrid next? http://bit.ly/a6nvzd

Real Madrid: looks like the planned signing of Fernando Llorente for the winter-break is looking less and less likely. The Athletic Bilbao forward won´t be sold unless los blancos meet his 36 million euro buyout clause, plus there´ll be a 27 million euro tax charge on the transaction. 63 million for Llorente? Insane. http://bit.ly/9IXoP1

Getafe: the firing bug in La Liga is catching. According to sources at the club, the ex-Real Madrid legend Michel could be the fifth coach in Spain to lose his position; especially if the club lose tomorrow against newly hired Javier Aguirre´s Real Zaragoza. Is this where Marcelino Garcia Toral will wind up?
http://bit.ly/d3AeC0

Galicia:

Deportivo La Coruna: The incredible run of form for Depor continues. On the road to relegation, over a month in either last or second to last place, injuries piling up, and Lotina was on a death march, but they got Aranzubía back in goal and Lotina went five at the back and they have firmly secured 10 out of the last 12 points and are now in 12th place. http://es.pn/982mdw

Asturias:

Sporting de Gijon: The Spanish commission that reviews Violence and Intolerance has come out strongly against the row between Sporting´s Manuel Preciado and Jose Mourinho. ¨In the light of articles published in certain media on the exchange of statements by the coaches ... the commission agreed they could have contributed to the creation of a hostile climate.¨ It is unfortunate that the repeat offender continues receiving slaps on the wrist while those who defend themselves get punished unfairly. http://reut.rs/c3YpG4

Cantabria:

Racing Santander: Traveling south from Cantabria is usually a fairly easy affair, but high wind warnings and winter rain forecasts threw Racing´s preparations for an away trip to Valencia. They left a day early and still managed to to beat Levante 1-3. http://bit.ly/aTabZJ

Pais Vasco:

Athletic Bilbao: Manchester United are supposedly willing to sell Berbatov to buy Athletic duo Fernando Llorente and Javi Martinez. If you really want to know what I mean when I refer to Premier League Nonsense, this is it. If Real Madrid are going to be scared away from the Llorente buyout clause, you think ManU will? Vasco please. This is why, when you want to read a dose of reality in La Liga, read Forza Futbol and forget this link: http://bit.ly/8YLDej

Real Sociedad: Want to find a match where the referee takes a more important role than either club in a match? There wasn´t one particular blown call that couldn´t be argued contrarily, but overall the refs were front and center to the scoreline. Want to know why Spanish Football is criticized for their refereeing? Watch a replay of this game. http://bit.ly/bHcNai

Navarra:

CA Osasuna: midfielder Masoud Shojaei has said he will not return to Tehran and he is concentrating on finishing his contract at the Reyno de Navarra Stadium. http://bit.ly/ciZPp2

Aragon:

Real Zaragoza: Despite a hamstring that might keep him out a few weeks for Stoke City, on-loan Zaragoza winger Jermaine Pennant has played well in his return to England and might be bought permanently by Tony Pulis´s club. In a nutshell, this is the difference between the two leagues. Spain wins. England loses. http://bbc.in/c7RZer

Catalunya:

Barcelona: Ibrahim Afellay, the PSV winger with the pace and definition of a Dutch Andrés Iniesta, has apparently signed for the blaugrana already and will join in January. http://bit.ly/drnquM

Espanyol: I didn´t want to say I told you so, but Espanyol are fourth, winning all six games at home, and are challenging Villarreal for third, behind them by two points. Don´t bet on them to stay in the Champions League slots, but give me my due. The pericos are the story of the year so far in La Liga. http://es.pn/bGlVRA

Las Islas:

Mallorca: Being seventh on the table is accomplishment enough for Michael Laudrup´s club, who have had a difficult and chaotic campaign so far, but the Danish coach, a former dream-teamer under Johan Cruyff, has secured eight out of a possible 16 points against the giants of Spanish Football: Real Madrid, Barcelona, Sevilla and Valencia. Is he ready for the big time? Without a doubt. http://bit.ly/dzODTE