Another Draw …

By: Cesar | February 23rd, 2008

I’m loving some of the lively debates going on in the ‘Comments’ section of the blog.
Thanks to all for the interesting, emotional comments … please keep them coming.

On to the Mestalla, where Valencia faced a struggling Recreativo in their supposed push towards 4th place and next season’s Champions League.

1-1 and a point. But we deserved more from what I read. I didn’t see the game. But from what I’ve read, we could have done better and should have done better. We put the week’s David Albelda trial behind us and played a decent game. Ever Banega made a stunning pass to Mata for our sole goal. We controlled the midfield. We played as well as we’ve played in the Ronnie Koeman era. Unfortunately, a point is all we could muster against a tricky, defensive Recre side.

How many times have I written that we ‘could have done better’ in this space before? *sigh*
I know, I know … cut the guys some slack, right? But c’mon. I want to see us do well … and if that’s being ‘too emotional’ or ‘too super’ a fan, so be it. I think this is a good team and should win the majority of their games …

Although I’m not of the opinion that coach Ronald Koeman should be killed (like one of the commentators said today in the blog), I do think a sharp ball to Koeman’s chest in practice by Zigic might do the trick. (By the way, have you all seen the sickening injury to Arsenal’s Eduardo today? Wow … that was absolutely horrific. I wish him a speedy recovery … what a sickening injury …)

Speaking of Zigic, he’s not very good, is he? He’d probably miss Koeman completely and hurt himself in the process. He had a superb shot saved in the first half but as Goal.com’s Lucas Brown said in his match report today:

Zigic’s night was summed up when he missed what can only be described as a sitter after Zahinos met a low cross and prodded back towards his own goal where the giant striker was waiting. But he shot wide from four yards out. (UGGH!)

With five minutes remaining Zigic’s bad luck continued as he met a cross from the right and was completely unmarked, but he could only nod it wide of the post.

Zigic apparently has a case of the Arizmendi’s …

We held 64% of the possession, controlled the midfield and still couldn’t find the back of the net save a fine Juan Mata strike in the 1st period.

“We should have won comfortably,” coach Koeman said.

“We played very well from the first minute and we created a lot of clear chances, but we have just not had any luck (in about 2 years now) … It was our best home game and the applause from the crowd showed that. We won the midfield with (David) Silva and (Éver) Banega although that may have limited our defensive strength, but it is always good to play with players that like to play the ball.”

Koeman refused to blame the referee for his side’s struggles as he thought that missing the number of chances that his team did was not down to the officials.

“We have also failed,” he added.

Well, another game. Another 2 points lost.

After a mini-run a few weeks ago, we’re back to our non-winning ways. The weeks evaporate and so do our chances at a Champions League spot. It’s looking more and more like a UEFA Cup spot is in our future. Hopefully … (I can’t believe I’m wishing for a UEFA Cup spot …)

We’re obviously a club in transition. I believe we’ll be in for many more games like today’s this season. Koeman can’t honestly be tactically judged until next season.

As for his character and ability to be a true leader, I think the Albelda episode speaks for itself. Maybe Koeman is the right man for the job. Maybe I’m being hard on him for his disrespectful treatment of guys I’ve considered idols (Canizares, Albelda … Angulo? Well … that just wasn’t very nice what Tintin did to him).

Valencia CF are what they are right now. A 9th-place squad looking to build a solid future. Nothing more. Now, it’s on to Wednesday’s Copa Del Rey semifinal matchup with FC Barcelona.

I hope we don’t embarrass ourselves. I’m sure we won’t.