But here it is. For what it’s worth, this will be my last post on the Valencia blog for a month or so. Please follow me to the Spain Euro 2008 blog where I, along with Elisa of the Athletic Bilbao blog, Ryan of the Sevilla blog and Mando of the Espanyol blog will provide you with all the information you need on La Furia Roja’s run to the Euro 2008 crown.

With players such as Marchena, David Villa, David Silva and Raul Albiol plying their trade for the national team, we’ll all have something to look for.

If anyone’s interested in writing a blog post for the Valencia blog while I’m away, e-mail me at cesarman@yahoo.com … now, without further to do … here’s …

The Incredibly Short, Incredibly Tedious Valencia Season in Review

What a season it’s been, eh?
We started with dreams of Moscow and the Champions League final. We ended being grateful with not being relegated. Like I said, life has a way of playing tricks.

We had 4 coaches this season: QQ Sanchez Flores, Oscar Fernandez, Ronald Koeman and Voro. We now have a new one for next season, Unai Emery from Almeria.

We saw the comings and goings of Manuel Fernandes, Zigic, Ever Banega and Maduro. We saw legendary Valencia players David Albelda, Angulo and Santiago Canizares publicly humiliated by the coaching staff as they were ‘fired’ from the team. We saw them come back after Koeman and his staff were let go, a final hurrah for players that have given the Valencia shirt so much.

We saw some Champions League football. Disappointment against Chelsea (again), humiliation to Rosenborg and some good fortune against Schalke 04. We crashed out and concentrated on the Copa Del Rey, winning a stirring semifinal against Barcelona before capturing the Copa against Getafe, one of the few bright moments of the season. UEFA Cup, here we come!

We saw victory against Real Madrid at the Bernabeu, a surprising Arizmendi goal sealing the game. We saw a hopeless 5-1 defeat to the champions at home, the boobirds on parade at the Mestalla.

We saw Juan Soler dismiss himself as president of the club and Agustin Morera take his place. We take a moment to remember the fallen workers at the Nou Mestalla, a horrible symbol for the club’s excesses if there ever is one.

So, here’s some quick awards to hand out … what do you all think?

Player of the Season: David Villa
Not many players to choose from here, but Villa was consistent when he tried. 22 goals in all competitions (18 in La Liga) is nothing to sneeze at. Unfortunately, El Guaje is probably leaving for greener pastures. We wish him well … Mata comes a close second for an outstanding campaign.

Goat of the Season: Ronald Koeman
Who else could it be? This guy was clueless when it came to managing the squad. Good riddance. Juan Soler came a close second. This leads us to …

Worst Player of the Season: Ivan Helguera
Why is this Real Madrid reject on the team? I hate him …

Game of the Year: Copa Del Rey Final vs. Getafe
The Real Madrid game is a close second. At least we had a day to celebrate being fans. It was great fun to win the cup and make it into Europe next season.

Worst Game of the Year: First game of the year vs. Villarreal, 3-0
There are lots of candidates for this one, but I feel the first game of the season set the tone for all the rest. What a drubbing. What a season … UGGH!

Best Goal of the Season: Mata’s goal against Barca in the Copa semi-finals, 2nd leg
Besides Villa, maybe the MVP of the squad. Great goal in an important game. Close runner-up? Moro’s goal against Getafe in the final. And Arizmendi’s against Real Madrid.

Quote of the Year: Joaquin regarding Koeman.
Classic. Koeman says Joaquin came to Valencia for 30 million Euros but played like he’s worth 30. Joaquin said this in reply.

The only thing he was worried about was having dinner with five or seven bottles of wine, for a warm, relaxing glow. And when he left he didn’t say goodbye to the players – he just left with six or seven million euros. [New coach] Voro has gained in five matches the same or better than Koeman managed in five months! Koeman has knocked me down and I’m ashamed by what he’s said about me. But I don’t blame him entirely for my not going to Euro 2008 – just 99 per cent.

Ouch!!

I can’t think of anything else to add. Please add your opinions on the season that was, a season that will go down in the annals of time as one of the worst seasons in Valencia CF history!!

I’m DONE with 2007-08 … forget Koeman, forget the drubbings and embarrassments. It’s time to look forward, with Unai Emery in charge … I’m excited for what’s to come next season.

Don’t forget: If you’d like to write a blog post in my absence, please contact me at the address above.

And please make sure to follow me to the Spain Euro 2008 blog, where I’ll be spouting the same nonsense you’re used to on a semi-regular basis.

Viva España!!! And AMUNT VALENCIA!!!

Today, it’s bad news about my favorite player and now ex-Valencia ‘keeper Santiago Canizares.

‘El Dragon’ faces child abuse charges in a scandal that has seen one man sent to prison, judicial sources revealed in Santiago, Spain, on Thursday.

The 38-year-old Canizares has faced questioning as a witness in the affair involving Tomas A.R., known as “the sorcerer,” a guru-therapist who was found guilty of abusing girls aged between 11 and 22 in February 2007.

While I don’t get all the specifics, Santi’s lawyers have squashed all ties linking him with any wrongdoing. Let’s hope so … keep your eyes peeled for more news in this case.

So going back to Valencia, we have a new coach!

His name is Unai Emery (pictured above) and he signed a two-year contract with an annual salary of 1.5 million euros yesterday.

Emery has spent the past two seasons with Almeria, guiding the Andalusian team to promotion in 2007 and an eighth-place finish this season in the Spanish league. Emery began coaching at Lorca, which he led into the second division.

The 36-year-old Basque will take charge on July 1 and will be formally introduced Friday.

Emery was appointed after a breakdown in negotiations with Racing Santander coach Marcelino Garcia. Marcelino announced his departure from Santander on Wednesday but said he had not signed with another team.

“He (Emery) doesn’t feel as if he’s a second choice because he has had other options before Valencia and he has chosen us,” Valencia’s technical secretary Juan Sanchez told the Europa Press news agency.

Sanchez praised Emery for being “a brave coach” and for his “working methods.”

“I have no doubts that he can be important in helping the team improve in the forthcoming season,” Sanchez said.

Emery will be our third coach since last November. He follows Ronald ‘TinTin’ Koeman, who was fired after five months in charge despite leading the team to the Copa del Rey title, and caretaker coach Salvador (Voro) Gonzalez.

I like the appointment. He did a lot with very little at Almeria. He’s known as a tactical genius, spending hours breaking down a game and analyzing players for their weaknesses.
He’s a training ground guru who makes the players work hard in practice. He’s known as a coach who will stick with a formation only as long as it works … he’s flexible enough and humble enough to see that if something isn’t working, he’ll change it.

I’ve heard some negatives regarding Emery. He’s too young, he’s never coached a big team, etc. I don’t buy it. Considering Sanchez has said we’ll only move one big name player in the transfer window (presumably Villa), Emery will have a very strong squad to work with.

Pablo Hernandez will be back from Getafe. We may have Zapater and Sergio Garcia from Zaragoza. We’re getting Asier Del Horno back from Athletic Bilbao (I dunno how good that news is …) and Morientes will be back for another season …

Emery should be well-equipped. And that’s not something this tactical genius has ever had. Not at Almeria. Not at Lorca. I think big things will happen with this guy at the helm.

Speaking of coaches, former boss QQ Sanchez Flores has a new job as coach of Benfica.
Good luck, my friends.

Is Joaquin going to Atletico Madrid? That’s what today’s MARCA says.

If that’s our big-name transfer, good going … the aforementioned Pablo Hernandez can slot right into Joaquin’s place.

Still, I don’t see this as the move Valencia will make. In my opinion, I think David Villa will be sold for about 40 million euros (I know, it sucks. But he’s ready to go …). With that money, we get Zapater and Sergio Garcia. Also, we snatch away current Pichichi Daniel Guiza from Mallorca. We’ll still have about 20 million euros left. Add to that the sales of guys like Zigic, Manuel Fernandes, etc., we should be primed to snatch the guy I think would revolutionize the midfield: Rafael Van Der Vaart. Not bad, eh??

Hey, at the very least there’s some positivity around the squad these days.
A new coach, some new blood coming in, the possibility that not all of our good players will be leaving, the possibility of a new owner …

Bright skies ahead? We’ll see …

I swear I am!

It’s just that Valencia keeps providing us with news that so succulent, I can’t ignore it …

Today, Joaquin answered Ronald Koeman’s critiques from yesterday … and boy, did he ever …

“Koeman was a person who looked past people, above their shoulders. He didn’t have the cojones to say things to one’s face, whereas I did. The only thing he was worried about was having dinner with five or seven bottles of wine, for a warm, relaxing glow. And when he left he didn’t say goodbye to the players – he just left with six or seven million euros.” Five or 7 bottles? That’s quite a tolerance TinTin has …

“[New coach] Voro has gained in five matches the same or better than Koeman managed in five months! Koeman has knocked me down and I’m ashamed by what he’s said about me. But I don’t blame him entirely for my not going to Euro 2008 – just 99 per cent.”

Yikes … strong words. But can you blame him? I still rate Joaquin, no matter the detractors. I’d really hate to see him go and I think under the right tutelage, he’d shine.

Speaking of, who will be our new coach?

Signs are pointing to Unai Emery signing tomorrow. But hold on … what about Marcelino, who is leaving the Racing Santander job today?

Or Michael Laudrup, who left the Getafe position a few days ago?
Or Ernesto Valverde, who could be fired by Espanyol in a few days?
Or Jose Mourinho, who is supposedly in Vicente Soriano’s radar should he come in as the new owner …
Or maybe former Valencia player Didier Deschamps, who we wooed last year?

Who knows?

One thing we do know is that Valencia are interested in recently relegated Real Zaragoza stars Alberto Zapater and Sergio García.

The twenty-two year old Zapater is seen as one of the best young defensive midfielders in Spain.

García, on the other hand, has caught the attention of national team coach Luis Aragones and has been named in Spain’s 23-man squad for this summer’s European Championships.

The twenty-four year old has been linked with English side Tottenham Hotspur in recent times as his stock continues to rise.

I’d be happy with these signings.

But first, players will have to be sold to balance the books. Once that happens, it seems that Zapater and García will be among the first moves made.

Let’s cross our fingers …

Two more quick notes:

- Apparently QQ Sanchez Flores is being offered the Real Betis job for next season. Guess Betis don’t want to win anything for the next few seasons … Ouch! Did I just say that?

- Tonight’s the Champions League final in Moscow … what do you all think?
My opinion? 0-0 and penalties … 15-14 to Man United … at least they have a tradition.

The Dutch maestro opened up in an interview with a Dutch TV station last night and he said that taking over at Valencia was probably not a good idea after all.

“I have regretted it, but I would blame myself if I hadn’t done it,” said the former Vitesse, Ajax and Benfica boss, who left the Eredivisie champions on October 31 last year.

However, Koeman does not regret leaving PSV Eindhoven. “They already had the blade ready for me. Martin Jol would succeed me and they also cashed in on my departure. Therefore [managing director] Jan Reker did not exactly find himself with his back to the wall.”

The former international sweeper said that he plans to rest for a season. “It’s something I really need. I’ve been a coach for a decade now and this is the time for me to distance myself. And then I will focus on improving myself before taking the next step.” (Work hard, my son. Work real, real hard …)

Koeman stressed that moving to Valencia may have shut two bigger doors in front of him. “If I had remained with PSV, I would have perhaps become the Dutch boss or the coach of Barcelona. Yes, I know that my name was on their lists.” (Barca are probably thanking their lucky stars they didn’t hire this guy …)

A number of his former players blamed him for our dismal performances. But Koeman hit back. “The strange thing was that the players whom I no longer used [Santiago Cañizares, David Albelda and Angulo] continued to train with the rest of the squad and made their way into the team’s dressing rooms. They created a negative environment with the support of others, such as Joaquín. Players like Joaquin cost 30 million euros (in a transfer), but had an output of 30 euros.”

Ouch … nasty words from our ex-boss.

He sure sounds like a professional a$$hole, doesn’t he?

Well, he ruined us much like he ruined Benfica and other teams before.

And consequently, the 30 euro men ruined his chance at becoming Holland or Barca boss … too bad.

He shouldn’t have jumped ship like the opportunist he is so soon from PSV.
Maybe then, he’d be ruining his country’s chances at World Cup qualification or sending Barca to relegation depths instead of putting up with us …

Thankfully, he’s gone. Good riddance to bad rubbish …

The 2007-2008 campaign is finally over. The season of QQ Flores, Koeman, Champions League failure, the fired Trio, the Copa Del Rey, near-relegation and now, as you can see from the picture, the squad’s snubbing of the fans during yesterday’s Copa celebrations ends … thankfully!!!

What a year it’s been.

I’ll talk more about that in the coming days, but for now, let’s take a collective breath.

WOW! That was quite a season, eh?

With today’s 3-1 victory over Atletico Madrid at the Mestalla, we have the honor of finishing 9th in La Liga … (as of press time) …

Who would have thought at the beginning of the season that we’d be estatic with a 9th place finish. Funny how things change over time.

But it is what it is … 9th place and a spot in the UEFA Cup along with the Copa Del Rey and a date with champions Real Madrid in the season’s opening SuperCopa de España.

Speaking of the Copa Del Rey, what’s up with the players not wanting to celebrate the victory with the fans?

For those that don’t know the story, our players refused to publicly celebrate the cup victory with fans during a ceremony at the city council building on Saturday.

Excuse me?? What did the fans do to upset you? Boo your horrendous play? Stuff like this just makes me so so upset …

Supporters gathered outside the building in anticipation of an appearance by the players, but were left disappointed, despite Valencia mayor Rita Barbera’s repeated attempts to persuade the squad into congregating on the balcony overlooking the street below.

“I want to ask you a favor, that you go out onto the balcony in order to show the trophy to the supporters. They would die for you and suffer for you, because you mean that much to them,” she pleaded during her speech.

But the Valencia players didn’t want to go out … apparently they forget who butters their bread and pays their salaries …

Sections of the gathered support began to goad the players with chants of “you all all just mercenaries”, “less money and more guts” and “you’ve got no balls” …

Pathetic …

Oh, but it gets better …

Sporting vice president Rafael Salom has decided to call it quits. The negotiation over Marcelino’s transfer to become our coach apparently put him over the edge … so that’s that for him.

So much stability with this club, huh??

By the way, I was wrong about next season’s shirt sponsor … here’s a picture of the new sponsor, ‘Valencia Experience’ … MY BAD!!!

But wait, there’s more …

It’s over for the one of the greatest goal keepers in Spanish history as my favorite player, Santiago Canizares was released by the club …

Ahh, what can I say? I will SO MISS ‘EL DRAGON’ … For all he’s given to the club, for his passion, his tears, his joy at winning the leagues, his amazing saves, his spectacular run as ‘Zamora’ … for everything …

He didn’t deserve to be treated the way he was by Ronald Koeman. But it is what it is.

Valencia president Agustin Morera added: “I want to thank him (Canizares) for all the time he has spent at Valencia. He has been and was an icon of our club and we wish him all the luck in the world. We hope that on Sunday, if he plays (he did), he can say goodbye to the great fans that he has because he deserves all the respect.”

More than that … you deserve your number retired, your name etched in a ring of honor, your hair dye made into a must wear for all future Valencia goal keepers …

So what’s next for the ‘keeper?

If nothing interests him, he’s done. New York Red Bulls, anyone? You can crash at my place …

You are the greatest, my friend. I will miss you greatly. I hope to see you playing very soon …

But wait, there’s more …

Spain coach Luis Aragones announced his squad for Euro 2008 today. There’s a few Valencia players on the list.

Defenders Raul Albiol and Carlos Marchena join midfielder David Silva and striker David Villa, with only three players from Barcelona and two from Real Madrid. Not bad.

Not surprisingly, David Albelda, Canizares and Angulo were left off the list. The only slight shock is that Joaquin wasn’t included. He’s too inconsistent anyways.

As far as other squads are concerned, ‘keeper Timo Hildebrand was left off Germany’s list. He’s annoyed, but what can I say? Nothing … I have nothing to say about that.

There’s more!!

We played our final game today … a 3-1 win over Atletico Madrid at a rain-soaked Mestalla. The last games ever in Valencia uniforms for Villa, Silva and Joaquin? For sure, the last for Canizares, who was given the start in a gracious move by coach Voro.

Villa scored twice and … that’s all I have to say about that … we won and it’s over.

It’s over! IT”S OVER! IT IS OVER!!!

This pathetic, awful, gut-wrenching campaign is finally over …

And now? A break … and then a synopsis of the season and what’s ahead …

It’s going to be an interesting one ….

Update: What do you think of this? Not bad!!!

These are supposedly the new kits we’ll be wearing in next season’s La Liga and UEFA Cup competitions … not too bad, eh?

I didn’t get this season’s kit and for good reasons … why would I want a kit that’ll remind me of one of the worst seasons in our history?

No thanks … I’ll pass.

This ‘worst season’ comes to a thankful end this Sunday when our beloved host Atletico Madrid … talk about a vanilla contest.

Atletico are safely tucked into a Champions League spot and Valencia are safely in next season’s La Liga.

So what’s the excitement for this game? Plenty.

First, the supporter’s clubs plan an all-out protest against main shareholder Juan Soler. They, along with every sane Valencia fan, want him to sell his shares and kiss the club goodbye. Let’s hope he gets the idea and bails. Hopefully some rich investor will get in there and load the club coffers full of money.

Next, the club plan to celebrate last month’s stirring Copa Del Rey victory. They wanted to celebrate it before, but with a relegation battle at hand, it didn’t feel right.

Well, now that we’re safe, here comes the celebration.

Thing is, the hostile environment of the Mestalla might not befit such a celebration. What are we celebrating, exactly? Ok, we won the Cup. So?

I know it sounds like I’m a flip-flopper. In some ways, I am. I admit it.
While it was great to win the Cup and see our beloved in a final, I just want this season to end. The Cup did not save the season. The Cup was a nice treat in an otherwise dismal campaign.

I don’t think anyone will be in a celebrating mood come Sunday. Most of us just want it to end.

Sunday could also be the goodbye of many players. And a coach.

Should Voro win on Sunday in his 5th game in charge, he’ll match Ronald Koeman’s record in 22 games. Think about that … in 5 games, he’s done exactly what TinTin did in 22 games!!! Unreal …

In any case, he’ll likely be gone after Sunday’s game.

What’s this I hear? Michael Laudrup is leaving Getafe at the end of the season?

Hmm, interesting … very interesting.

Then again, do we really want another ex-Barca player running our club? Koeman and Laudrup were teammates during Barca’s ‘Dream Team’ era of the early ’90’s. Hmm …

Well, whatever happens come Sunday, it should make for a fitting end to a dismal campaign.

Some chants against the team and chairman. Some goodbyes to notable players. Hopefully a victory … who knows?

We’ll have time to analyze the season and discuss who should stay and who should go once this game ends … we all know what the story is. No need to rehash it here …

For kicks, take a look at this article from goal.com analyzing our future … The end of the beginning?

I dunno, although the author does make some good points. It’s nothing you guys haven’t talked about on the Comments section of this blog before … the article does a good job of putting everything we’ve said in one place … what do you think?

Wouldn’t Villa look nice in that new top?

The weight of the world has been lifted off our shoulders.
The birds are chirping. The sun is shining. The flowers smell wonderful and the effervescent coffee in the next room beckons us to enjoy the day …

Ok, it’s really cold, windy and rainy here in New York City this morning. But you know what? Who cares!

Valencia will be in La Liga next season!!!

Coming off our 5-1 destruction of city neighbors Levante, Valencia have assured themselves a place in next season’s competition.

Finally, that deep unsettling pain in my chest can dissipate.

So for all the QQ’s, for all the Ronald Koeman’s, for all the Juan Soler’s … we have survived …

It’s a strange feeling. I’m certainly happy we’re still in the league. I’m estatic we won the Copa Del Rey.

But is this a successful season? I don’t really think so.

Anyways, that debate can wait a week.

For now, our eyes turn to Atletico Madrid and our final game of the season.

But even more importantly, we turn inward and think about who will be playing their final games with us next weekend.

It could be that hat trick hero David Villa will be saying good bye. Wanna hear something ironic? Yesterday’s hat trick saw El Guaje tie Real Madrid sporting director and ex-valencianista Pedja Mijatovic on the list of all-time Valencia scorers with 56 … and where’s he going now?
His pace, finishing and vision for goal could be headed to England or the comfy confines of the Santiago Bernabeu and Real Madrid. Funny how these things work.

David Silva could be running through the San Siro midfield for Inter Milan in a few months.

Joaquin could be falling over and losing balls for Everton and Miguel could be full of prawn for Manchester United.

Change is in the air.

Vicente, Albelda (who, with this yellow card yesterday, probably played his last game with the club. He’s suspended for next week), Canizares and Angulo could join that list as could Maduro, Banega, Timo Hildebrand and Baraja.

That’s a lot of goodbyes. Not to mention the coming of a new coach. Emery? Marcelino? Who knows … and if you’ve been listening to the rumor mills, Juan Soler could be selling his shares any day now …

So many things could be different with our club in a matter of weeks.

Well, we have time to assess what’s happened this season and what will happen in the summer. For now, let’s enjoy the victory. Let’s enjoy the fact we’ll be playing top-flight Spanish football AND UEFA Cup football next season.

As reader Javier de Roque said, it’s like we finished 5th! I know, not really. But think about it. We’re in Europe and we’re still in La Liga. I shrug my shoulders and say, ‘Hey! Not that bad … right? Right??’

Not that good … but I’ll take it for now.

Voro? Any thoughts?

“It was a good result but the important thing is to try to resolve the situation as soon as possible. (Very very true …)

“The players have shown their qualities recently and we have managed to get ourselves out of trouble thanks to their efforts so the merit is theirs. Our previous games for example against Osasuna and Zaragoza were a little lucky but we have to try and carry that luck with us.

“It was not an easy game tonight as Levante did dominate for long spells, we scored with our first shot and perhaps this was the turning point.

“Football goes both ways, in Barcelona we played well but we were thrashed, to day it was in our favor.”

In closing, I’ll say this … and think about this some …

Who is in worse shape? Us or Barcelona?

Did you watch that game against Mallorca yesterday? For those that don’t know, Barca were up 2-0 and then let in 3 at home to lose, 3-2.

At least we had something to play for: survival.

Barca walked into a cauldron of fan dissent, people waving white hankies and calling for the president’s head. (We’ve seen that before, no?)

The negative energy fed the team and they lost their lead.

Now, they’re in for a thorough house cleaning. Players are bound to leave and different players are expected to come.

They have the money to weather the storm. But the expectations for the club are much greater than ours.

I don’t mean this in a negative way. But let’s face facts. Barcelona are one of the richest clubs in the world. They’re expected to be in the Champions League every season. They’re expected to be in at least the top 2 in Spain every season.

Anything less is a disappointment. Talk about pressure.

Sure, we flirted with relegation this season. We fired two coaches, saw players come and go and also witnessed utter fan frustration at the happenings at the Mestalla.

But when it all comes down to it, we won a Cup. We beat Madrid at home. We managed to shake off the negative effects of Koeman and are in next season’s La Liga.

There’s an air of possibility in our club.

Imagine the pressure Barcelona face. If they finish 4th next season, Pep Guardiola’s head will be on a plate for the Nou Camp faithful.

Sometimes, finishing 14th in the league is better than finishing 4th.

In that respect, we did ok.

I’m keeping this one short as I battle a torrid head cold that just won’t go away … the players better not catch anything either, as evidenced by the picture above which shows Marchena and Villa enjoying the wet conditions at Paterna.

They’re needed. Me? Not so much, as the great comments on the site more than make up for the blog.

Thanks for your wonderful insight and please keep it coming!

So after Wednesday’s tense 1-0 victory over Real Zaragoza, we’re a point from safety, a point from our late-season objective: staying in La Liga.

Should reigning champions Real Madrid defeat Zaragoza at La Romareda, we’re also safe.
So things are finally looking up for us … can you believe this is our objective? Staying in La Liga? Seems so long ago we were dreaming of Moscow nights and a date in the Champions League final. Now we’re clawing for scraps.

Not that I’m complaining, because staying in the league is our main objective these days. And if we succeed, let’s thank our lucky stars.

One point is all it will take. One point against city rivals Levante, who at 26 points sit in 20th and last place in the league. They’re already relegated and playing simply for pride.

We all might think this is a gimme game, but that’s not so. A club playing simply for pride, a club playing the string out, playing in their last local derby for some time, will be playing their hearts out.

And with the form we’ve shown week in and week out, nothing’s taken for granted.

I’ve said before that I have a special place in my heart for Levante.

I lived in the neighborhood and went to many games during my time living in Valencia.

But as much as I feel for Levante, this is a must win. Valencia has to go all-out, hoping to stifle any momentum our city neighbors hope to build.

Should be a good one …

Some tidbits:

- Keep the nominations for the Valencia season awards coming! There’s a whole community of people voting over at the Xtratime forum as well! Make your way over and make friends with Valencia fans from around the world!

- Goal.com thinks we’re going to win 3-1 in their game preview. What do you think?

- Vicente is hurt again. I love the guy. I really do. But he’s softer than a newborn baby’s bottom (weak metaphor, eh? I’m sick. Give me a break …) His time here is up.

- Is Almeria’s Unai Emery our new coach? Spanish media seems to think we’ve signed the hot coaching property to a two-year deal. But Emery said that’s hogwash.
“That I have signed something with Valencia is a lie. It is a lie that Valencia have secured Unai Emery,” Emery said, apparently talking to someone about himself in the third person.

- David Albelda dropped his case against the club. I guess some of the boos he heard on Wednesday upon reappearing caused him to change his mind.

Great man. Great player. You totally didn’t deserve what you got. I will miss you next season.

- Milan’s transfer consultant and super agent, Ernesto Bronzetti, claims that the Rossoneri’s bid for Ronaldinho may be over and they should also look elsewhere for reinforcements … like, Valencia, for example.

“There are many young players in Spain who are potential targets. Look at Valencia for example, they will need to sell following a poor season and they may be forced to get rid of some of their prized assets.”

Hmm, like Silva, Joaquin and David Villa?

So is that the respect we command around Europe? The spectre of a selling club hangs around us?
Pathetic what the people in charge of this club have done this season …

I need to lay down. More later …

Game of the Year.

How many times have I said that?

(Look at that scrumptious paella. Since footie pics haven’t been working, I figured I’d change it up and show you Valencia’s 2nd best contribution to the world, besides Valencia CF … It’s a good luck paella!!)

But think about the ramifications should we lose today.

We inch a step closer to relegation, that dreaded word.

And along with relegation comes:

- A drop to Segunda. How many games you think we’ll be able to see next season?
- A fire-sale of players.
- No big name coaches.
- Dreaded fixtures against the likes of Sporting Gijon and Granada 74.
Although we could see old friends Celta Vigo, Alaves, Tenerife, Albacete and Levante.
Also, our biggest historical rival is Hercules. So that’s something … right???
- A drop in crowd sizes at the Mestalla. Tickets would come cheap. How many people want to come out and see 2nd Division football?

A victory and losses by Valladolid (against Betis) and Recreativo (against Villarreal) would help us a LOT …

We’d jump us to 45 points and basically be assured of staying in La Liga. So let’s hope for that.

The Mestalla will be packed tonight, with the atmosphere of a final.
20,000 orange balloons have been distributed and management have asked fans to dress in orange. They’re selling scarfs and shirts in the same color as well … Should be an electric evening, should we win …

Tonight also marks the return of some former ex-players. Juanfran, Ricardo Oliviera, Pablo Aimar (one of my favorite players) and defender Roberto Ayala.

I miss Aimar and Ayala the most. Imagine what their tenacity in the midfield and hardcore edge in defending would have given us this season.

They’re ex-players also fighting for their La Liga lives with Zaragoza, so you know they’ll be pumped to play against Los Che.

It’s gonna be a battle, people … wherever you are, show some support!!

We need this game!!

After we win, enjoy a drink as you watch El Classico between Barcelona and Real Madrid and watch Barca be humiliated as they give the new champions the pasillo (guard of honor).

But first, let’s make sure we’re not humiliated ourselves.

We need this game … AMUNT!

That’s right, Euro 2008 is just around the corner! It begins June 7th with Spain’s first game against Russia June 10th in Innsbruck.

Make sure to check out my Spain Euro 2008 blog, hosted by theoffside.com for my ‘insightful’ coverage …

Many Valencia players should be there. David Villa. David Silva. Marchena.

Maybe Joaquin.

Maybe Raul Albiol.

Whatever! It’s La Furia Roja!! So let’s support them!

It should be fun … make sure to check it out.

On top of that, I thought it would be fun to give awards at the end of the season for Valencia’s players.

So, here’s the categories …
- Valencia Player of the Year
- Valencia Goat of the Year … in other words, worst player …
- Best Moment of the Season
- Worst Moment of the Season … if we get relegated, well … that might win …
- Best Game
- Worst Game

Can you think of any other categories??

Post your comments here or e-mail them to me and we’ll have a Valencia ‘gala’ at the end of the season …

Uggh … what a crappy season it’s been …