We’re Just Not That Good, I Guess

By: Cesar | November 26th, 2007

First off, let me apologize to all the readers for my lack of posts.
I’ve been busy trying to get to Ghana for the 2008 African Cup of Nations. That’s taking up a chunk of my time.
It’s a long, winding process but one I’m sure will bear fruit … one way or the other.

But nothing takes my heart away from my love, Valencia CF. Not a rubbish coach like Quique, a lousy president like Soler or a bad game like yesterday’s against Racing Santander.

We lost, 1-0 and I’m not sure what to say. We’re in a transition period, this is for sure. New coach Ronald Koeman needs time to adapt to his new players and a new style of play in Spain. Still, it all feels like wasted opportunity. We coulda been a contender … we shoulda been better than this … we woulda won the game if … oh well, I’ll just say the obvious: We’re just not that good.

I didn’t see the game, so what was it this time?
Bad midfield play? Especially by Manuel Fernandes, who has yet to adapt and was rubbish according to what I read.

Lousy goalkeeping? Santiago Canizares let in another bad goal, this one a long-range shot by Valencia reject Jorge Lopez. It’s apparent Cani’s best days are behind him. He’s making these annoying errors almost every week he starts. It’s time for Cani to sit behind Timo Hildebrand. Read this intriguing article from noted Spanish blog Notas De Futbol about Canizares’s time being up. I hate to say it, because Canizares is my favorite player, because he defines an era in my life, because he’s passionate and fiery and a true Valencianista. But as sad as it is to say, I think the gig is up. Cani just doesn’t look like a starting ‘keeper for a La Liga club these days. He looks like he’s getting old. Whgich as 37, he is (in purely sporting terms). And that’s hard to see. I’ll have more to say on this in the next few weeks. Just know I say these things with a heavy heart, because I love the guy.

Could it be apathy? The international players had to be tired after the Euro 2008 qualifiers. It’s got to be hard to get mentally ready for a league game moments after the euphoria of the qualifiers. On top of that, the playing conditions were rubbish. I read it was a torrential downpour through much of the match.

One positive to come out of the game is the return of midfield stalwart Edu, 372 days after his last appearance and latest injury. This guy’s 100% class. He was a great player for Arsenal’s dominating club of the early ’00’s and came to us with lots of hype. Unfortunately, he’s been injured a lot, tearing ligaments in both knees in successive years. It’s great to see him play again. Let’s hope he can stay healthy.

After the game, Koeman refused to criticize his team too much.

“The result was more down to the merit of Racing than the demerit of Valencia,” he said.

However, he did lament that his side conceded when they were at the their strongest.
“Racing made excellent use of their defensive tactics and their counter-attacks,” he added.

“They scored completely against the run of play. We conceded when we were having our best period of the game.

On the mistake on the part of goalkeeper Cañizares, who completely misread Jorge’s shot, the Dutchman was cautious.

“I did not see exactly what happened,” he said. “I do not want to explain anything. I gave him a start though he had not played for five games, and such decisions need to be taken.

“Any explaining will be done only to my players.”

The defeat sees us drop from fourth into sixth, with Espanyol and Atletico Madrid both leapfrogging us.

Next up is Wednesday’s Champions League match-up with Schalke 04 at the Mestalla. If you believe the Valencian press, this game could
make or break our immediate future. I’ll grant it’s an important one for many reasons.

One, Koeman needs to start getting some results. Two, the team just needs to play better. They need to feed off the energy and desperation of staying in Europe to fuel their play. Three, we need the Champions League money, as the above article says.

Over on mega-Valencia fan site foroche.com, they’re already asking the question: Where’s the Koeman effect? When will we see results? When will we start playing up to our capabilities?

I don’t know. I understand it’s a small downturn for our mighty club and that we need to stay optimistic as fans. But this is quickly turning out to be a bad season. We’ve been through them before, but this one hurts for the fact that we possess the talent to be so much better.

What’s the problem with our Valencia CF?

**One little side note: Are you seeing the problems former coach Rafa Benitez is encountering at Liverpool over transfers? You’ll recall Rafa’s famous phrase uttered in reference to players he wanted Valencia to sign in 2004: “I asked for a table and they bought me a lampshade.”

Now he’s having troubles with the American owners at Mercyside. Wouldn’t it be something if after all he’s done, with Valencia and Liverpool, he was ousted over his remarks over transfers?

How about another run with your former club, Rafa? Just kiddin’. I can’t go through ‘Koeman Vete Ya!’ just yet …