Currently sitting in 20th position in Spain’s top flight, fortunes must change at Valencia and fast before this season is consigned to the waste basket. Another fortnight of poor form and relegation will be talked about as a genuine chance of occurring.
Performance
It’s vital that Valencia start to improve on-field matters significantly. Four defeats to begin the campaign is dismal. A month into the season and Valencia have lost twice at home, those defeats coming against Las Palmas and Real Betis; shipping a combined seven goals. Overall, Valencia has conceded 10 goals, scoring just five. Ball retention has not been a major concern, averaging 55% per match, but much of their play is without real purpose and, most tellingly, wasteful when an opportunity is fashioned.
Yesterday’s performance away to Athletic Bilbao was, in all aspects, hugely disappointing for supporters and players alike. After going ahead in the second minute through midfielder Alvaro Medran, veteran striker Aritz Aduriz seized control of the contest for the hosts at San Mames, netting twice before half-time to keep Valencia point-less at the foot of La Liga’s standings.
READ | 'If anyone thinks he’s worth his place in this #MUFC side they are deluded.' – @StanCollymore #WATMUNhttps://t.co/K465Kd8Lqh
— Outside90 (@Outside90) September 18, 2016
Team cohesion
Following player departures and new arrivals, Los Che must form great chemistry off the field as well as on it. In the previous transfer window, notable departures included Portuguese midfielder Andre Gomes and forward Paco Alcacer, both to Barcelona, while Sofiane Feghouli and Shkodran Mustafi decided on pastures new in the Premier League.
In losing these players, Valencia’s core will take on a new look. And despite receiving over €100m in transfer revenue, little has been spent to recoup these losses. Ezequiel Garay, Nani, Martin Montoya have all been brought in on permanent deals while Eliaquim Mangala and Munir El Haddadi on loan.
Believe in Pako Ayestaran
Ayestaran became caretaker manager after Gary Neville’s sacking, with the Spaniard serving as Neville’s assistant for 11 matches. This is just his fourth job as manager, he has previously managed Mexican outfits Santos Laguna and Estudiantes Tecos and Israeli powerhouse Maccabi Tel Aviv.
His lack of top-flight experience as manager is compensated by his time as an assistant. From 2001-2004, Ayestaran was Rafael Benitez’ assistant manager at Valencia before joining Benitez at Liverpool from 2004-2007 for 188 games. As manager, Ayestaran has a 45.6% win rate in lesser leagues – something to build on.
Showcase passion to suffering supporters
The Valencia players need to show the fans they are giving it their all. After a fourth place finish in the 2014-15 season, Valencia’s average home attendance has dropped by nearly 7,000. This is likely due to their 12th place finish with 33 less points in 2015-16. Showing promise in front of their fans will generate more support from their fans, which, as in continually seen in world football, improve matters on the pitch.
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