A Cup We Sorely Need

By: Cesar | January 29th, 2008

Lots to say today.

First off, we really need a victory tomorrow against Atletico Madrid. I’ll be at my local to cheer the lads on. If you’re around, please make sure to come.

This is a tide shifting match. Should we lose, I can honestly see the morale sinking even more, the play bottoming out (even more) and coach Ronald Koeman being sacked. I truly believe his job is on the line the next few weeks.

Reports say we’re in the running again for Jose Mourinho. That’s BS. Why would he come to the sinking ship that is Valencia when he didn’t come to us months ago when we were in a more stable position? That’s not going to happen. Don’t listen to this garbage spewed by the English rumor mill.

But what’s apparent after president Juan Soler ‘gave up’ his power today (more on that later) is that Valencia really want this Copa Del Rey. It’s the only cup we can win this season, the year’s saving grace after all the muck we’ve been through.

You better believe that the squad needs to come out all guns blazing tomorrow. Because another lackluster performance at the Vicente Calderon coupled with some draws or weak losses in the next few weeks and we’ll see Mr. Koeman walk the plank.

It’s do-or-die time for the Dutch handyman.

Speaking of Koeman, he’s not a happy camper these days. Not only is his job in jeopardy, not only is his sparkling blond hair turning gray but he’s angry at the journalists that swarm the Mestalla, claiming they’re raising a ruckus for no reason.

“If a team has a bad run of results then fair enough, but I cannot see how I can be blamed for making two changes when players were injured,” he said, talking about Vicente and David Silva, both unavailable for tomorrow’s match.

“That is what the press have done and they have done it in bad faith.”

Can’t blame him there. The man’s under enormous pressure.

Seeing the press act like it does in Valencia and seeing how the fans react to the squad remind me of the professional sports teams in New York, where I reside.

If a team is doing badly here, the fans let them know it. They’ll boo, they’ll yell profanities, they’ll even throw objects at them! I’m not advocating violence, but I can understand the temptation.

People pay their hard-earned money to be entertained by their favorite teams. When they’re not, they have cause to yell and boo. I’m not sure I understand this oft-mentioned opinion that the clubs should be coddled or made to feel good for simply trying.

This is professional sports, not day care. At the end of the day, these athletes make an inordinate amount of money at our expense. They live lavish lives because we spend our money to watch them play.

I understand the booing, I understand the hankie-waving towards Ronald Koeman and the cries of ‘Koeman Vete Ya!’ It’s tough being a fan and watching the honest yet unemotional play of this Valencia club. Expectations were high. Fans are disappointed.

Speaking of disappointment, Juan Soler has been a huge disappointment since he took over the club in 2004. Today, he gave up day-to-day duties of running the club to three chiefs. The one we need to know about is Rafael Salom, who is now running the sporting side.

This doesn’t mean Soler is gone, that sporting director Miguel Angel Ruiz is fired. What it means is that Soler is now focusing on other things, like lining his fat pockets with even more money (building the new stadium, for example).

It also doesn’t mean he’s selling his shares. The team’s PR man went as far as to say that won’t happen.

Still, this is a move to distance himself from the mess he’s created. How I wish this guy would sell and leave …

Let’s hope for a victory tomorrow. Boo them all you want, but I’d sure like to see them do something worthwhile this season besides fight to stay in La Liga.

Let’s at least try to win the Copa Del Rey!!!