This transfer business can sometimes be similar to a game of chess between the clubs involved, but if it is a game then one thing is for sure, over the last couple of seasons Newcastle United have shown themselves to be one of the better players with the quiet but efficient aquisition of plyers [..

We've semi-regularly tried to post a Friday "What to Watch this Weekend" (WtWtW) viewing guide. Starting today, we'll aim to bookend that with a companion "What We Watched this Weekend" (WWWtW) summary pulled primarily from weekend email chatter among the CultFootball crew, maybe spiced up with some video highlights.

When Roy was at the club I took a big interest in football coaching. I wanted to understand what he was doing and why it worked. So I did what I always do and read a load of books on the subject.

Some of them were really useful so, reminded by a comment in the match thread below, here are few that I think you might like.

Till the start of Yesterday El Clasico I was naming Mourinho as the best coach in our planet today. However, after yesterday defeat, I am doubting that statement, and at least might give that title to Guardiola.
Coaches today play chess, and it was apparent that after the first 30 minutes, Guardiola touches on the game, and how he reacted to very difficult start was impressive.

The goal scorer and the muffler

Not quite the class of the goal that Dennis Bergkamp scored but it was a goal that was enough to send us top of the group with a point ahead of the beaten side, Marseille. Another one of those where the result was more important than the performance. 5 wins out of 6 games now and that is momentum building.

Date: Wednesday Apr 13 2011
Ground: Whitcombe Road
Comp: Staffordshire County Senior League (step seven)
Match: Foley 0 Ball Haye Green 5 HT: 0-1

ATT: 24
Additional: Entrance FREE, Programme NONE

Whitcombe Road in pictures

Ground Statistics (marks out of ten, maximum 40)
Character 7, Structures/Terracing 5, Hospitality 4, Backdrop/Scenery or aesthetics for larger stadiums 8
Total 24

Foley FC were formed in 1947 and are named after a now forgotten area of Fenton, one of the six towns of Stoke on Trent, which is in the south east of the city.

Date: Wednesday Apr 13 2011
Ground: Whitcombe Road
Comp: Staffordshire County Senior League (step seven)
Match: Foley 0 Ball Haye Green 5 HT: 0-1

ATT: 24
Additional: Entrance FREE, Programme NONE

Whitcombe Road in pictures

Ground Statistics (marks out of ten, maximum 40)
Character 7, Structures/Terracing 5, Hospitality 4, Backdrop/Scenery or aesthetics for larger stadiums 8
Total 24

Foley FC were formed in 1947 and are named after a now forgotten area of Fenton, one of the six towns of Stoke on Trent, which is in the south east of the city.

The phrase national hero can be overused in football reporting, but one man who has a valid claim to such a title is Torkil Nielsen of the Faroe Islands.

The Faroe Islands sit inbetween Norway and Iceland, due north of Great Britain. With a population of only 50,000 they first entered international competition in 1990 where they faced Austria in the opening game of their Euro 92 qualification campaign.

The UEFA Champions League Final that pits Manchester United and Barcelona should prove to be a tactical chess match between these two storied clubs.
For those who are enthusiasts of team tactics, here are the key points to watch for:
* Pressing: United came out strong in the 2009 final, and almost scored early when Park came close to finishing off a Ronaldo free kick.

- Jason Kuenle As the US talent pool has developed, the league's ability to attracted foreign players has increased, and the league generally has matured, the diversity of formations and tactics in MLS has grown. Successful tactics hinge on two primary factors: 1) the individual skills of a team's players and 2) the tactics and skills of your opponent.

Colorado's Brian Mullan gets a 10-game suspension for breaking Steve Zakuani's leg.

Chivas USA's Marcos Mondaini gets four games (plus $1,500) for breaking Javier Morales' leg.

Conclusion: Mullan's foul was exactly 2.5 times worse. Or, perhaps the disciplinary committee was 2.

First of all, why are they called "under-21 teams" when they are really "21-and-under teams" or "under-22 teams"? I know I'm not the first to ask, but still, I'm asking. And Andy Carroll isn't even under 22: he is 22. This highly official page lists forty players, of which only thirteen are actually, you know, under 21.

Jose Mourinho extended his stay at Madrid for another year which raises the question, is Real Madrid a good fit philosophically for a resolute pragmatist like Jose Mourinho? How does a man with a laser focus for victory work at a club that values process also? How does Mou reconcile the fact that the club he manages demands fantastic results along with matching performances.

Dave Clark, of SB Nation's Seattle Sounder blog Sounder at Heart, and I exchanged three questions a piece (plus some bonuses at the end) ahead of tomorrow's Philadelphia Union-Sounders match at PPL Park.

SK: With the injuries and transfers off the team (like Blaise Nfuko), how have the Sounders found offensive rhythm so far this season?

..... and the star of the game was "Arsene" Wenger, in my own opinion. It was one more game that we feel that the coach was the most important element of the team, and he moved the players right and left as he was playing a chess game ..
One of the lessons of this game, that if you had the chance to kill the other team, don't waste it, do it now.

What's the best way to get better at soccer?

Is there a short cut to success? Yeah, everyone says there are NO short cuts in life. However, there is actually one short cut to getting better at soccer: play with older and, more importantly, play with players who are better than you are.