Thought he had an ok game today especially in the second half, some improvement from his recent performances.
Antonio Valencia... | Will wear #25 shirt from this point onwards by request
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Problem is, he's becoming a winger with almost no goal threat.
Even Rafael is getting into better positions than Valencia, not to mention trying to take on the defender more.
Every defender now knows that Valencia will only cross on his right foot, and they now can take that yard of pace because he won't cut into the middle or try anything else. Also, he tends to send it quickly back to the right back now, he used to be able to try to take on two players, it just seems so long ago when we were seeing him assist to Rooney nearly every match, him skinning A.Cole for fun, beasting a way with his pace to get into the penalty box.
His just dribbling and crossing back and whats more their more like lobs that lack pace more than crosses that are actually pinpoint where he used to cross it much earlier.
I feel Valencia himself has tried to adapt something, change his game style but instead of focusing on his strengths, he tried to work on his weakness which has decreased that strength, everything about Valencia used to be, ok 1-1, pace, out run the defender to his left side and just cross, whip a good cross, powerful yet accurate...
But he's stopped the ball too much for my liking this season and has tried to kinda fake using his upper body movements at times and the stop hasn't helped his game, it used to be all about his directness, just running, pure pace and power.
Hope he reverts back to the No.26 Valencia, I have yet to see a vintage AV performance since his new No.7 shirt.
Even Rafael is getting into better positions than Valencia, not to mention trying to take on the defender more.
Every defender now knows that Valencia will only cross on his right foot, and they now can take that yard of pace because he won't cut into the middle or try anything else. Also, he tends to send it quickly back to the right back now, he used to be able to try to take on two players, it just seems so long ago when we were seeing him assist to Rooney nearly every match, him skinning A.Cole for fun, beasting a way with his pace to get into the penalty box.
His just dribbling and crossing back and whats more their more like lobs that lack pace more than crosses that are actually pinpoint where he used to cross it much earlier.
I feel Valencia himself has tried to adapt something, change his game style but instead of focusing on his strengths, he tried to work on his weakness which has decreased that strength, everything about Valencia used to be, ok 1-1, pace, out run the defender to his left side and just cross, whip a good cross, powerful yet accurate...
But he's stopped the ball too much for my liking this season and has tried to kinda fake using his upper body movements at times and the stop hasn't helped his game, it used to be all about his directness, just running, pure pace and power.
Hope he reverts back to the No.26 Valencia, I have yet to see a vintage AV performance since his new No.7 shirt.
Not a beastly game from him, but a good footballing performance. Most of you are mental.
Now there's some insight.
Agree with most of that bar the fact you're constantly saying he played in no. 26 jersey.
EDIT: I'm referring to RedThaiDevil but after seeing RK's post I'd say he also nailed it.
Agree with most of that bar the fact you're constantly saying he played in no. 26 jersey.
EDIT: I'm referring to RedThaiDevil but after seeing RK's post I'd say he also nailed it.
My bad, its 25, I'm horrible with numbers LoL
Anyways, its not about saying his bad, but when you see the current Valencia and think back when he was getting assists and even slotting in some goals, you do miss the 2011 version of Valencia who was dominating the right flank.
Especially this seasons form, he has stopped played more than he used to, its getting consistent now and its not the usual Valencia that you just see glide past defenders like they weren't even there.
Especially this seasons form, he has stopped played more than he used to, its getting consistent now and its not the usual Valencia that you just see glide past defenders like they weren't even there.
It really was not a good footballing performance, because he is not capable of that when he is in this form. But, I have no doubt he will hit form during this season. I think both he and Young will hit the form and with Nani back as one of the best wingers around, we will be seeing some insane football in the time ahead. Think about it, United have had a rough time getting their wingers in the game, when we do we will be even better, good times will come!
All, please stop picking. He's getting better with each game. Give it 2 or 3 games and he'll be back.
15 games ago it was picking. Now it's just sheer annoyance.
He currently has all the attacking threat of a cow. But lets be honest, he was only ever really good at one thing. Once he lost the confidence or fitness for that one thing, or people worked out how to counter it, he was never going to suddenly adapt into Lionel Messi. This is a player who has to turn in a complete circle to pass the ball short distances with his weaker foot.
Moo.
He currently has all the attacking threat of a cow. But lets be honest, he was only ever really good at one thing. Once he lost the confidence or fitness for that one thing, or people worked out how to counter it, he was never going to suddenly adapt into Lionel Messi. This is a player who has to turn in a complete circle to pass the ball short distances with his weaker foot.
Moo.
He is in the worst form of his career
I thought he was slightly better, definitely better than in most of games in last month or so after and before the injury.
I don't know why, but I have feeling that return of Nani could do him wonders.
Still, far from being good enough to start every game.
As for him being goal threat, he never was one, I said couple of weeks ago, I'll say it again, Valencia is one of the last wingers in the league you would expect to score a goal, his finishing is awfull, and he doesn't have nose for goal. Looking at end product, you can expect assists from him, but not goals.
I don't know why, but I have feeling that return of Nani could do him wonders.
Still, far from being good enough to start every game.
As for him being goal threat, he never was one, I said couple of weeks ago, I'll say it again, Valencia is one of the last wingers in the league you would expect to score a goal, his finishing is awfull, and he doesn't have nose for goal. Looking at end product, you can expect assists from him, but not goals.
I thought Valencia did alright today. His link up with Rafael was sublime as usual and there was at least a willingness to take on his man. I don't think it did Valencia or Nani any favours that Giggs showed both of them how it was done immediately after being put out wide. But all in all, like Nani and Anderson today, there was some bright spots and encouragement for future games.
In regards to Valencia's form throughout this season:
I think Valencia is smart enough to realize that with all things even, he'll always be Sir Alex's first choice option on the wing ahead of everyone else, in large part because he doesn't give the ball away cheaply the way Nani or Young can do. While Valencia doesn't possess the unpredictability and match winning factor that those 2 do, he's not going to do anything wrong. Simply put, his conservative play makes him a safer option than the others and I think this is why he's not going to force things if there not there and why he's been playing it safe lately.
In regards to Valencia's form throughout this season:
I think Valencia is smart enough to realize that with all things even, he'll always be Sir Alex's first choice option on the wing ahead of everyone else, in large part because he doesn't give the ball away cheaply the way Nani or Young can do. While Valencia doesn't possess the unpredictability and match winning factor that those 2 do, he's not going to do anything wrong. Simply put, his conservative play makes him a safer option than the others and I think this is why he's not going to force things if there not there and why he's been playing it safe lately.
This is what i'm thinkin too. There were encouragin signs tonight, atleast he attempted to drive at the fullback for a change.
Rafael has played on the wing once and he was shite.
Thought he was much better today.
He's going the right way, but he's still got miles to go to become the player he was again/
He's going the right way, but he's still got miles to go to become the player he was again/
Didn't he and Fabio play on the wings in that 2-0 win against Arsenal in the FA Cup? they were both excellent that day.
Although in the main I agree with you, Rafael should not be moved up the wing in place of Valencia.
Once again, it shows how shite he's been when posters pull extraneous reasons for his poor form and comment on the fact that he tried to take on his man. Sublime play? Where?
Better than previous performances but still not very good at all. I'm sure he'll reach his usual levels at some point, but until then, his spot should not be guaranteed. It's like he forgot how to cross the ball.
Better than previous performances but still not very good at all. I'm sure he'll reach his usual levels at some point, but until then, his spot should not be guaranteed. It's like he forgot how to cross the ball.
He wasn't that bad today, at least by recent standards.
Personally, I am not one of those who constantly attacks his form as my expectations of him are not as high as some others I think. I've never thought he was that good a player. Yes, he's had spells of good form, as have many so-so players, Ashley Young being a prime example. However, for a player with his skill-srt, I can never be THAT outraged to not see him regularly tearing teams to shreds.
That's the last I'll say on this to be honest, because I don't want to make several posts attacking our man, but yea - the truth is I don't really rate him as highly as some others and am not as shocked as some seem to be with his current form. The way he is playing is fairly in line with the ability he has I reckon.
Personally, I am not one of those who constantly attacks his form as my expectations of him are not as high as some others I think. I've never thought he was that good a player. Yes, he's had spells of good form, as have many so-so players, Ashley Young being a prime example. However, for a player with his skill-srt, I can never be THAT outraged to not see him regularly tearing teams to shreds.
That's the last I'll say on this to be honest, because I don't want to make several posts attacking our man, but yea - the truth is I don't really rate him as highly as some others and am not as shocked as some seem to be with his current form. The way he is playing is fairly in line with the ability he has I reckon.
Hurt my voice, screaming at him to go past his man, in the second half.
If that performance is viewed as anything other than dire, we should sign fecking Downing-syndrome!
If that performance is viewed as anything other than dire, we should sign fecking Downing-syndrome!
Better than all of his previous generally poor matches
He should really learn to release the ball quickly. He completely neutralizes our counter attacking threat if he gets the ball. He never gives the ball away cheaply but he needs to take better decisions. He's simply terrible at choosing the right option when he gets the chance. Lately, once per match he likes to rocket the ball into row z. But yesterday, his performance graph would show a slight increase. Let's just hope he keeps improving his form and becomes the kind of player what he was
Better, but nowhere near where we need him to be, maybe a few more games and we will start to see some of the old Valencia, he did get better as the match went on. He's so out of confidence though it's not funny. One thing that annoys me is if he isn't willing to drive past his man or run with it down the side, he has to bring in Rafael more than he does. The problem is he sticks to his flank, often leaving Rafael stuck behind him, and then plays it back to Rafael anyway who now has to pass in back centrally - he should drift in more and let Rafael flank him providing another option down the side, or creating room for him to cut in, basically exactly what Nani was doing with Buttner yesterday as he didn't look too up for taking on his man much either.
He used to do this loads last year. He was famed for running past his byline and putting in a dangerous cross, but he could also cut inside and open up play in other ways. Sure he never unleashed a left foot shot but it still was very dangerous. Now all he does is stall and pass backwards.
It's almost like he's consigned himself to playing like this, I mean I'm sure confidence is low but he should at least be trying to beat his man like he used to do, he just seems far happier to give the ball to Rafael or someone else once a player gets near him, or smack a cross off them for a corner.
He needs to do what Nani did yesterday, he kept trying to beat his man, albeit failing to do so most of the time, but feck sake, if you're not going to at least try it then you won't start doing it again.
He needs to do what Nani did yesterday, he kept trying to beat his man, albeit failing to do so most of the time, but feck sake, if you're not going to at least try it then you won't start doing it again.
Sometimes he does and Van Persie's already jogging over to take the corner before he even crosses it. I guess we've scored quite a lot this year, maybe this is Fergie's master plan all along.
That's it, I can deal with him playing it safe and getting into a more attacking position if he doesn't want to run against his marker, but only if he's bringing or at least using the runs of Rafael, it makes no sense otherwise and just halts our attack, as we saw countless times yesterday.
And Ferguson just keeps playing him (hurt or not) and we just keep winning with a good possibility of a premier league point total record of all time. What is it that the greatest football manager doesn't get that so many nay sayer experts do? It's baffling. Get him out of the fecking line up.
Owww Nobby has a bee in his bonnet.
I don't know what to think of Valencia anymore, it's good that in this game and against Liverpool he seemed more willing to take people on but there just is no end product right now and I think his movement is getting a little shown up atm, yesterday wasn't the first time that the likes of rooney became frustrated that he didn't make a diagonal run inside. I'm really starting to think that a good part of the problem is other teams figuring out a good way to stop him, but at the same time I just feel he could easily go past the defender, it's just him hesitating.
SAF is trying to play him back into form. It has nothing to do with SAF not noticing Valencia's dire form. He's not stupid.
I for one think that an in-form Valencia is one of the most important players to have, going head to head with Real Madrid over two legs. If SAF thinks that he's going to eventually get back to his best by playing him more than he should, I'd have no problem with that.
I'd give him a couple of weeks off, tell him to go on holiday somewhere. Bring him back for the Fulham game.
Playing him back into form just isn't working. So resting him might be the only option.
Playing him back into form just isn't working. So resting him might be the only option.
Well, the reason he keeps playing him isn't because Valencia is in good form, or indeed any form, are you disputing that? If not, what is your actual point?
Valencia has been played because there have been no alternatives, given they've all been injured. All we could have done was either play Young or Rafael at right-wing, which of course leaves left wing or right-back open - both of which we couldn't afford to fill given Nani, Smalling, Jones and Kagawa and even Anderson who can play wide left were all injured. We did actually try Young at right wing, forcing Giggs on the left, such was the extent of Valencia's poor form. Do you think Young would have been used on the right had Valencia been playing near his ability? Clearly we've played him because of a lack of other options, as well as trying to coax some form from him through a run of games, which hasn't materialized yet.
An in form Valencia is one of our best players, and definitely one of the best wingers in the league - Are you saying you've seen even a glimpse of that in his last however many games?
With Kagawa fit again, Valencia has started one of the last 4 matches. We've been winning in spite of him, not because of him. He hasn't set up a goal since the Chelsea game at the end of october, went past his man like twice since then, and many of his crosses have went into the crowd either behind the goal or the opposite side he's playing on. I don't know what's wrong with him, none of us do. People are saying it might be a slight injury, but surely if it was then he wouldn't have played in 10 straight games through to new year. I just think he's lost all confidence, and is unsure what to do about it.
Everyone knows he hasn't been at his best (though the last two games have been closer to fine than shit) but people are going over the top. He's being judged as a player while he's in the worst form of his United career by people who want to use that as a stick to beat him with (and often to praise Nani). If you picked Nani (or any player)'s worst run of form they'd look a bit of a state. Thankfully most of us know what they usually bring as players and don't try to focus on the negatives to score points.
Can we go one day discussing Valencia without bringing up Nani? It's like they're brothers.
Racist.
Watched the game last night after reading some of the early comments about his display
Got to say I thought that it was a lot better performance than his recent ones. Attacked his defenders a lot more which was very encouraging to see. Sure, there was the Bebe like cross and the time as someone noted Giggs ran 50 yards with the ball only for Valencia to turn it backwards. Still the overall performane was a marked improvement to me.
Hope it continues - him and Nani both playing on the wings well would be so welcome.
Got to say I thought that it was a lot better performance than his recent ones. Attacked his defenders a lot more which was very encouraging to see. Sure, there was the Bebe like cross and the time as someone noted Giggs ran 50 yards with the ball only for Valencia to turn it backwards. Still the overall performane was a marked improvement to me.
Hope it continues - him and Nani both playing on the wings well would be so welcome.
I don't think that is a fair comment.
Most (if not all) are referring to this as a form problem.
If anything, people are searching for reasons to excuse his form.
I still think he's suffering from a injury of sorts because he looks to have lost a little bit of pace. Might also explain his lack of confidence. Difficult for a footballer if you're struggling with a nagging problem, especially one who relies on pace so much.
Hope we get the old Tony V back soon!
Hope we get the old Tony V back soon!
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