What an Experience

By: Cesar | September 12th, 2008

So this whole thing with ‘Valencia Experience’ is getting sillier as the days pass.

According to Spanish news reports, Valencia Experience will be our shirt sponsors until the end of the year. From 2009 on, we’ll be wearing a shirt designed by Nike to commemorate the club’s 90th anniversary.

The shirt sponsors will in all likelihood be ‘Unibet’, a gambling site from Switzerland. They’ve offered €.3.5M to be the sponsor until the end of the season and €5M for next season. Valencia are hoping for €4M and €6M.

A gambling site? UGGH … how low can you go? Why not sponsor one of the many brothels that line the outside of the Mestalla? Or maybe a ticket broker?

I’m interested in seeing this 90th anniversary kit, but what about everyone that bought a ‘Valencia Experience’ shirt? Collector’s item?

Let’s not forget that the last time a sponsor didn’t pay up (Metrored), we won the championship. Hmm …

Anyways, it’s on to Almeria this Sunday. The game won’t be shown here in the United States (great …), so there goes that idea. In any case, the game might not be played at all.

Apparently, the pitch is super water-logged. Not that anyone’s said the game’s to be postponed. I’m just saying …

For a preview of the match, click here.

A small preview …

Valencia: If Emery wants to maintain the same system without Silva (which is just about the best tactical set-up given the players Valencia have) – it will depend significantly on Juan Mata coming to the fore. Villa was simply awesome against Mallorca but he still needs a foil. The former Real youth player seemed set for a breakout season anyway, but he should be fast-racked even further forward now. Nearly as important will be Vicente on the left, if he can stay fit.

PREDICTION

This could be a hell of a game, and Almeria will need little encouragement to go at Valencia if they sense the slightest weakness. This could be their undoing as, despite what Emery might say, Valencia as always will rely on counter-attack on the road.

With some firing strikers and creativity on the field, there should be goals. Almeria are in hot form and you’d fancy the hosts to take something from this match, what with Valencia reeling from the loss of Silva. Nevertheless, it could go either way, and I’m teetering atop the fence…

Almeria 2 – 2 Valencia

2-2? Why do I read these guys?

Anyways, it’s true. As I reported yesterday (exclusively? No …), David Silva is out for three months. His ankle will be operated on this Monday and he’ll be back around the end of the year. Good luck to you, my friend. It’ll be sad to see you on the sidelines.

By the way, is it time to start rooting for Raul, the Real Madrid icon?

Seems the leader of the Merengues and virtual team president (Raul Madrid, anyone?) may have vetoed the signing of David Villa to ensure that his place in the first team was not threatened.

THANK YOU, RAUL!!!!

Coach Unai (Kevin Costner) Emery talked a bit last night about some of the things he’s dealt with since signing for Valencia. Like 8 sporting directors and 15 shirt sponsors?

“Excuses are not in my vocabulary. I assume all responsibility. When things go badly I will take that and when they go well I shall stand back,” he stated.

“I would prefer to win 5-4 then 1-0, but obviously we have to win, but it is important to me how we win and if we lose then I want the fans to be proud of the team’s effort. That is all I strive for because all I want is for people to really enjoy watching this team because football is a sport that must be entertaining.

“We want the squad to have a winning mentality, but that does not mean that we can win every game because that cannot happen. (Why not??)

“Valencia has to be up near the top and in the positions that the club’s potential indicates. I have no long-term objectives though, only the next game.

“I understand that there may have been doubts about my arrival at Valencia, but I know where I am and I am convinced that I am ready. This ship is strong and we have good sailors, good oarsmen and we will have to see in which port we arrive at.”

I like this guy a lot. He’s going to be a good one.

Finally, who is this Brazilian wunderkind we’re close to signing?

His name is Keirrison and supposedly he’s all that and a bag of chips. Some of you have been commenting on the blog about him and I’ve received e-mails about the lad.

He’s 19, plays for Coritiba and he’s quite good. He’s scored 54 goals in 100 games with the senior squad. Not bad.

Any of you know any more about this Brazilian superstar?

Here’s a small video of the kid scoring some goals … until tomorrow.