Tidbits

By: Cesar | March 14th, 2011

fallas.noticia

For those of you who remember my tidbits posts, it’s where I rant about 3 or 4 different subjects related to VCF and then open the floor to debate.

So … here, a new tidbits post.

- The less said about Saturday’s 4-0 destruction to Real Zaragoza, the better. The team was demoralized, physically and mentally after the midweek Champions League elimination to Schalke 04.

I understand our fan’s trepidation, being only three points above Villarreal for third place and automatic qualification to next season’s Champions League.

But what’s with this witch hunt against coach Unai Emery?

He makes odd decisions at times. He’s a tinker man of Claudio Ranieri-size proportions. But to call for his head in the crazed manner some have advocated is beyond me.

Look, I’ve ridden that bandwagon too.

But honestly, what do you expect?

The man’s coach of a club in third place in (probably) the best league in the world, behind the financial might of Real Madrid and Barcelona but also ahead of Sevilla, Atletico Madrid, Espanyol and Villarreal.

He’s got a horribly inconsistent defense. He lost two of the best players in the world this past summer and has still managed to guide us to third. He’s got management issues with Miguel and Chori and he lacks the backing of the board (at the moment).

And does he have a solid squad? Yes and no. In the last post, El Rey mentioned that we employ the likes of Jordi Alba (out of position), Banega (inconsistent), Vicente (brittle) Dealbert (awful), and Topal (decent). We also have Navarro (terrible actor), Soldado (on and off), Pablo (on and off), Guaita (young but getting better), Bruno (ahh), etc etc etc … we have a decent squad. But we’re not world beaters.

Also, Emery’s not the most likable of guys. But still, what more do you want? I think it’s great to criticize the coach. He deserves it.

But to call for his head after every match? Why?

You want to win La Liga? Sure, I’d love that too. But it’s not going to happen unless we win it on FIFA 2010. So let’s be realistic.

As the Guardian’s Sid Lowe put it …

Valencia’s players apologised to their fans after their 4-0 defeat against Zaragoza. But it was always going to happen: knocked out of the Champions League by Schalke in midweek, they played the first game on Saturday evening having travelled back from Germany and arrived back shattered emotionally and physically. Zaragoza also desperately needed a win while Valencia now know that, with an 11-point cushion, their top-four finish is virtually guaranteed.

Third is the best we can do. Third is where we’re at.

- I wish I was at Las Fallas. For all that are there, consider yourselves lucky.

- Some shocking news from Spain today concerning Our Beloved.

According to various media reports, VCF’s title winning sides of 2002 and 2004 may have been involved in doping.

Cadena Cope on Sunday quoted a “representative” of Real Madrid, who was not identified, as saying the club planned to “ask the Spanish football federation for serious anti-doping controls.”
It said Real could not understand how Eufemiano Fuentes, a doctor who was one of six people charged in December with trafficking offences in an athletics doping probe dubbed Operation Galgo, could have worked for “a first division club, specifically Valencia, curiously when it won two championships”.

Uggh …

Valencia said it had “never worked” with Fuentes or been “advised directly or indirectly by him.”

Madrid have looked on enviously in recent years as Barcelona has dominated the league and flourished in Europe winning the Champions League twice since Real’s last victory in 2002.

Haters … can’t even let us have two measly titles? How sad and pathetic.

Let’s hope Barca and Valencia sue the sh*t out of whomever reported this garbage.

Doping? Ya, that’s why we’re 87,763 points behind Barca right now.

Whatever. What do you think?