It seems that David Moyes is settling in well at Real Sociedad, and he made himself even more popular with the fans when he got himself sent off for suggesting to the referee in the midweek cup match that he should have gone to a well known chain of opticians (for those of you who don’t watch British TV, look up the “Specsavers” ads!). Moyes got a one match ban for that, and another for ignoring orders to leave the stands, where he calmly chatted with the fans and accepted offerings of sweets! Theoretically the ban has to be served out in the cup, and as Real were knocked out by Villarreal that will have to wait for next season. Musacchio also got his marching orders late on in that tie for a second bookable offence, and there were two red cards elsewhere, Valencia’s Mustafi being sent off only a quarter of an hour in to the tie against Espanyol for pulling down Sergio García as he advanced on goal, and Levante substitute Barral picking up two bookings in his short spell on the pitch against Málaga (during which time he also scored two goals!), the second for scoring what would have been a hat-trick and a potential match-saver with his outstretched hand a la “Maradonna”! All will miss their respective team’s next cup tie (either this or next season), as will Valencia’s De Paul, who picked up his third yellow card of the competition.

Levante’s David Navarro is a well known visitor to these pages, and he blotted his copybook once again after getting sent off for punching Elche’s Pelegrín not quite on the blind-side of the referee in the sixth minute of their Sunday league game! He was given a two match ban as a result, and there were one match suspensions for Córdoba’s Campabadal and Eibar’s Piovaccari, who were both sent off in the second half of their Friday night game (the former for a second bookable offence, and the latter a minute later for a clumsy tackle). Another ten players will join them on the sidelines next weekend after picking up their fifth cautions of the season, including Godín (Atlético), Fontàs (Celta), Raúl Navas (Eibar), Arbilla (Espanyol), Velázquez (Getafe), Nyom (Granada), Simao (Levante), Recio (Málaga), Quini (Rayo) and Cheryshev (Villarreal). Interesting to note as well that our top three villains are all forwards, with Atlético’s Mandzukic leading the pack having picked up twelve bookings in all domestic competitions! (20.01.15)

(* suspension pending disciplinary meeting decision)

Villains Yellow cards Red cards (straight) Games banned Total points
Mandzukic (Atlético) 12 0 1 13
Rodrigo (Valencia) 6 2 (1) 3 12
Barral (Levante) 8 1 (1) 2* 12
Damián Suárez (Elche) 10 0 2 12
De Paul (Valencia) 4 1 (1) 5* 11
Muniain (Athletic) 6 1 (1) 3 11
Navarro (Levante) 6 1 (1) 3* 11
Dubarbier (Almería) 8 1 2 11
Orellana (Celta) 10 0 1 11
Ramos (Real Madrid) 10 0 1 11
Alexis (Getafe) 4 1 (1) 4 10
Fontàs (Celta) 7 1 2* 10
Raúl Navas (Eibar) 7 1 2* 10
Rodrigues (Elche) 7 1 2 10
Arbilla (Espanyol) 7 1 2* 10
Weligton (Málaga) 7 1 2 10
Thomas (Almería) 9 0 1 10
Lopo (Deportivo) 9 0 1 10
Lillo (Eibar) 9 0 1 10
Alvaro (Espanyol) 9 0 1 10
Abdoulaye (Rayo) 9 0 1 10