Good Vibrations

By: Cesar | October 23rd, 2008

The days pass until our next game against Recreativo this Sunday and the accolades continue to rain in.

First off, a nice little ditty about our wonder coach Unai Emery and his resemblances to former coach and current Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez.

Valencia have been transformed from a strife-ridden side that flirted with relegation last season to the early Primera Liga leaders thanks to new coach Unai Emery’s ability to unite the dressing room.

The east coast side, who visit Recreativo Huelva on Sunday, started the last campaign as contenders for the title but fell apart after the club panicked and sacked Quique Sanchez Flores and appointed Ronald Koeman in his place.

The Dutchman helped cause a rift within the squad by dropping stalwarts Santiago Canizares, David Albelda and Miguel Angel Angulo and telling them they were surplus to requirements.
Valencia plummeted down the standings and although they won the King’s Cup, Koeman was sacked just before the end of the campaign.

Emery, 36, arrived from Almeria in July with one season of top-flight experience, but has made an immediate impact with few changes to the squad. A great tactician and motivator, he has won over a tough dressing room in a short space of time.

“He has surprised us all because he knows how to get the most out of the squad. He came in with his arms wide open and has tried to get the best from every one of us,” said Albelda, who has been restored to the side.

BENITEZ SIMILARITIES
Winger Vicente has said there are many similarities now with the side Rafael Benitez led to the league title in 2002 and 2004. They top the standings with six wins from seven games, and have scored 17 goals to just four conceded.

Struggling Recre are third from bottom and without a win in six outings, though they put on a much-improved performance under new coach Lucas Alcaraz last weekend, drawing 1-1 at Valladolid.

He certainly has done wonders for the team’s confidence. For players to openly compare him to Benitez and his job in winning Valencia’s first national championship in 31 years is sublime.

The guy can definitely coach.

Then this from Brazilian midfield maestro Kaka, who gushed about on-form striker David Villa and his odds of winning the coveted Balon D’Or award …

“I believe that Villa is a great striker, for me he is one of the top five candidates for the Balon D’Or. He has had a great season with Spain and in spite of the poor league form at Valencia,” Kaka said, smiling and giggling, his hand covering his mouth so onlookers wouldn’t see his wide grin.

“He was central to Spain winning the European Championships. The national team has played great football and has shown some great individual talents, one of which is David Villa,” said the AC Milan midfielder, fiddling with his pigtails and chewing his gum loudly.

“He is a good striker, strong and fast. A complete scorer that can do it also outside of Spain. I am sure that with him Valencia will be big again,” Kaka said as his face turned beet red.

Good words from the former Balon D’Or winner. But does Villa have a realistic shot of winning the award this year? I highly doubt it.

Cristiano Ronaldo had an amazing year as did Villa’s national team partner Iker Casillas.
I’d love to see a Villa surprise, but I doubt this award is in El Guaje’s future – at least for this season.

Ronaldo’s Portuguese team mate Miguel was fat last year.

He’s still pretty big-boned, but the right back is taking better care of himself this season, laying off the paella and Twinkies for a change.

“I have to take care a little more and to be prepared and at 100 per cent because the team needs me,” he told reporters. So … the team didn’t need you last season? Great professional, this Miguel …

When QQ Sánchez Flores was in charge, Miguel’s weekly trips to the nightclub and regular smoking habit went unnoticed while he performed, but ‘TinTin’ Koeman didn’t approve.

Things have had to change now however as the full-back admits that he wants to prove himself and to keep his place in the side when everyone is fully fit.

“I feel good, things are going well and I have been enjoying my work,” he continued. “I am taking advantage of my chance and taking care because I am the only right-back. On a personal level it has been good so far.”

Thanks for trying, Miguel.

Seriously, I enjoy Miguel’s work, But you’d think for the money he was being paid, he’d have a little more class. Hey, at least he’s changed his ways, eh? Who am I to complain?

Anyways …

The comments board has been inundated with transfer talk the past few days, with talk of strikers galore heating up the hot stove.

Two news tidbits on this front.

First, we’ve dropped our pursuit of Hajduk Split striker Nikola Kalinic.
Apparently, sporting director Fernando Gomez was in Croatia yesterday but refused to go higher than £5 million for the 20 year-old. Hajduk Split are looking for something closer to £8 million for Kalinic.

With the debt we’ve racked up the last few years, I doubt we’d pay this much.

Then again, couldn’t we sell Zigic and make that back? Hmm …

We’re also supposedly keen on AZ Alkmaar midfielder Demy de Zeeuw. The Dutch international is seen as an effective defensive midfielder described as a good tackler and passer of the ball.

Dutch paper De Telegraaf claims the 25-year old is attracting interest from Spain, having failed to secure a move away from his homeland over the summer.

He helped AZ climb into third place in the Eredivisie last season, while also establishing himself as a regular member of the Dutch national side.

Ok, so is this really what we need right now? And how much do they want for him?

I’m still of the opinion a back-up striker to Villa is more a priority …

Carlos Tevez, you say?

Can you imagine that??

Oh, I better not. My head may explode …