3 Points!

By: Cesar | April 30th, 2007

I wasn’t able to watch the match this weekend.
I also wasn’t able to get a cup of coffee on demand, a newspaper with football news or a meal at any hour of the day. But I wasn’t in New York City, I was in a small town in North Carolina.

Anyways, it was great to see Valencia CF do what they had to do and win 2-0 against Recreativo. Two great goals by Joaquin made it possible. Great play by Silva, Ayala, Butelle in goal and our man David Villa (this guy is an assist machine) gave us the victory.

I’m so impressed by Pisha Joaquin. He had it rough the first few months at Valencia, but he’s really come on strong. I believe a partnership with Vicente, running down the wings, with a strong David Silva playing in the middle behind the strikers Villa and Morientes and we’re talking a La Liga title these days instead of Champions League qualification.

Alas, it is not to be.

I strongly believe talk of the championship is misguided at this point. Qualification to the Champions League is all that matters. Automatic qualification (2nd place) is even better and would be success for the season.

Besides the game, all the talk centers on David Villa. Will he stay or will he go? Seems every team under the sun wants this guy. In recent days, Chelsea, Real Madrid, Barcelona, Juventus and the New York Yankees have inquired about the Asturian striker.

He won’t be going to our direct rivals Madrid or Barca, so should he leave, he’ll go to England or Italy.

But should he go? Could we use the money to replace him and Ayala, maybe buy three players with the almost-50 million Euro his sale would bring in?

I don’t know. I certainly don’t want to see him go. Besides, can he handle playing in England? His style isn’t really suited to the physical game of the Premiership. Likewise, Italy has never been kind to Spaniards, as the play of Gaizka Mendieta, Jose Mari and Francisco Farinos goes to show. The gossip continues while Villa says he’s happy at Valencia. We’ll see where this leads …

The other hot topic of the day involves our trainer, Mr. Quique. Some say he’s a bright young mind, hounded by injuries who needs time to develop. Others say he’s an idiot, a tactical nightmare who needs to go.

Again, I don’t know. I flip flop every day on this guy. The squad seems to enjoy playing for him. And he has been burdened by injuries.

Who would be a better choice? Bernd Shuster? I’ve gone on record saying I wouldn’t mind him coming in, but the more I think about it, I’m not sold. He did nothing for Levante. In fact, he got them relegated. He’s doing ok at Getafe, but nothing spectacular. I’d rather seem him at the Real Madrid circus, trying to straighten that mess out. Wouldn’t that be good for a few laughs?

So who else? Marcello Lippi, the Italian World Cup winning coach? Sam Allardyce, who just left Bolton this weekend? Maybe Fabio Cappelo leaves Madrid and comes here? Doesn’t our style suit him more?

I do have one wish: No more Carboni. I’m annoyed at how he handled the Ayala situation. A poor negotiator with a big chip on his shoulder.

Let’s see what happens the next few weeks. The Drama at the Mestalla never ends …