Relegation

By: Cesar | January 22nd, 2008

Relegation.

One of the dirtiest words in football. Any fan worth his weight in ale hates the word, despises it, tries to run away from it as fast as he can …

Valencia are in trouble, as we all know. But this much trouble? The R word?
No, couldn’t be.

But take a look at the league table.

We’re 8th, courtesy of our early season form more than anything.
After 20 games, we’re at 8 wins, 3 draws and 9 losses. An under-.500 record.

That’s good enough for 27 points, 10 from Atletico Madrid and a Champions League spot, 5 from Racing Santander and a UEFA Cup run.

Pretty bad, eh? Oh, it gets worse …

Look down the table and you’ll find Murcia at the 18th spot in the Liga, right in the relegation zone. They’re at 5 wins, 7 draws and 8 losses (less than us …) which gives them 22 points.

That’s right. We’re 5 points from Europe and 5 from relegation. We’re staring relegation right in the face, folks. And if that doesn’t scare you, I don’t know what does.

The last time Valencia were relegated was at the end of the 1985-86 season, when a host of events took place to send our boys down to the dreaded 2nd Division, a netherworld of bad pitches, sparse fan bases and long bus rides. The elites of Europe don’t play in the 2nd Division (unless you buy referees off, like Juventus).

We’re looking right into the eyes of Purgatory. What are we going to do??

I tell you what.
I’m scared.

I have absolutely NO faith in management, coaching, the players or the president to save us right now. We HAVE to start playing better … and fast. Like … NOW. Or this could be one of the worst seasons in Valencia history, when we predicted it could be one of the best.

Two items of news:

- First, David Albelda and Santiago Canizares spoke to Radio Marca today. They’re not too happy.
They believe coach Ronald Koeman deserves them an explanation as to why they’re banished from the squad. I agree with them.

“At the time, I didn’t believe that something like this could be happening to me, and still after all this time I can’t believe and I am astonished. I’ve been shocked ever since,” Albelda said.

“After training, I met him on an individual basis, and I was told that I wouldn’t be called up or used anymore while he was coach,’ Canizares said.

“He said he didn’t want to give me an explanation so as to avoid a tough situation, yet I have to ask. But I haven’t been told much. I was caught totally by surprise. I could expect that if the team hadn’t met its objectives by the end of the season, all would be susceptible to restructuring. But in December, with [Timo] Hildebrand injured, and me playing well, I was astonished.”

Santi added, “It’s a very sensitive issue. I don’t want to harm more people. I’m personally concerned with the sporting situation at Valencia. I want to keep playing a great deal, but at my age – 39 – it’s not looking clear.”

Albelda said, “I’ve talked with [national team boss] Luis Aragones and he says that calling me up for Euro 2008 will be tough if we don’t work this out. It’s normal that I don’t get to go if I don’t play.”

Can’t anyone rectify this situation? It’s so pathetic.
Why is the Valencia management doing this to these icons?
Just let them leave with dignity! Let Albelda fight for his place in the national team and Canizares play his final days on a club that wants them. There’s NO need for this … it’s disgraceful and disgusting.

- Stephen ‘Sunny’ Sunday could be en route to AEK Athens on a loan deal.

The 19-year-old midfielder does not feature in coach Ronald Koeman’s plans for the rest of the season, although it is thought that he does have a longer-term future at the Mestalla.

“Last Monday Koeman told him that it would be better for him to find another team for the next few months, and that during this period it will be hard for him to even find a few minutes on the pitch,” Sunny’s agent said. Well, at least he told him the reasons for his lack of playing time …

Uggh … I need a nap.