Skip to main content

Tension in Vallekas, and Jordi Gómez (6th March, 2017)

Pictures of Luis Yáñez, the general manager, and a fan, David Arranz, having a heated discussion during the game, in which Luis accused David of calling him a "fucking fascist", a claim that has been denied. Fans chanting "Presa, hijo de puta, Bukaneros te saluda" once David was evicted by security, which doesn't even need translation (for the record, it's "Presa, you son of a bitch, Bukaneros greets you"). Presa banning 20 fans who undertook a peaceful protest with Presa Vete Ya banners.

Also, the verb Presa translates to Stress, or Force. The noun translates to journalism. It's just so ironic and perfect....

But today's post is about tactics. In a 4-2-3-1, Jordi Gómez's introduction for Baena was what I previously called "the death warrant of any defensive protection" (Read it here). I must confess, having seen Trashorras and Jordi Gómez work together against the sturdy defense of Reus Deportiu, I need to salute Míchel for making it work. Two La Masia graduates, reared as pass-masters, worked together to destroy Reus' defense, who were extremely lucky not to have conceded.

What I would say though is that Rayo did look susceptible at times, so this may not always work, but initial signs look promising.

Even if the run-in looks hard.

Even though this board has got a lot of stick, I must say that keeping the entire squad together (bar Jozabed, and even he was sold for four million euros) was impressive, and so was signing Ernesto Galán over the summer to replace Tito. But Jordi Gómez's signing stands out for me. He is a top-flight quality player and I was pleasantly surprised when he signed.

His first season in England with Swansea was a resounding success, with 12 goals in 44 games in the 2008-09 Championship. In fact, there were scouting reports that sung his praises, such as him having "a lovely ability to receive the ball in space or if he is marked tightly, find space after his first touch".

Since then, he became a legend at Wigan, winning the 2013 FA Cup against Manchester City in a historic 1-0 victory. His lack of use at subsequent clubs, including Sunderland, Blackburn and Wigan again, may have led him to play for a club where he would play regularly.

Not that I'm complaining.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Francisco Pérez Pérez - the actual oldest player to have played in Spain (1st November, 2017)

I've always wanted to ask a football player: how much do you love your club? If you see your club go down, what are you willing to put on the line to see them go back up? The notion that "players will come and players will go, but the fans are the club" is one that is sadly true in what has become a money-filled sport. The story of a player sacrificing money and success for his club? That story is rare. That story is beautiful. This is that story. This is the story of a player who loved his club. His local club. It'll be a long time if and when someone beats his record. Francisco Pérez Pérez, also known as Chico, currently holds the record for being the oldest player to play in the Segunda B - 43 years and 93 days is the figure. That's a figure that second place Diego Rodríguez Fernández (41 years and 324 days) falls short of by a year and 134 days. I should also point out that the top 3 list for oldest players to play in any of the top three tier

When three teams offered a 19-year-old an eight year contract (11th October, 2017)

Just how many players can you name who have the following descrption: He is a striker of great quality, and was a great promise of Spanish football, but his bad luck and some injuries denied him the opportunity to recover - he has never played more than one season in the same team. This is the story of a player - a technically and physically excellent striker - who made mistakes and suffered injuries very young and never really recovered. Born in Santa Eulàlia de Ronçana, Barcelona, Iván Peñaranda started his youth career at Granollers. His real formation, however, was in the lower categories of Barcelona, ​​in which he stayed for seven years (1991-98). Playing alongside Xavi Hernández, Gabri and Carles Puyol. He was considered as one of the young players with a huge future within the club. In the summer of 1998, he angered Barcelona by using "change of residence" as an excuse to sign for Mallorca B (he would move there along with his family), where he would play alongs

Who is Raúl Martín Presa, the Mickey Mouse? Part 1. (20th August, 2017)

José María Ruiz-Mateos was the head and main shareholder of Nueva Rumasa - the company that owned Rayo and other companies - mainly specializing in dairy products. (He wasn't the president of Rayo though - his wife, Teresa Rivero, was Rayo's president). In early 2011, the directors announced a debt of over 700 million euros, that it was on the verge of bankruptcy and that staff wouldn't be paid. And the players were visibly angry about it - captain Míchel assured the press that the club would continue fighting on the pitch, but the day after the announcement was made, six key players didn’t attend training. Veteran midfielder José María Movilla spoke on radio station SER about the situation, about the fact that he had only received seven of the last eighteen months of pay, about the fact that there were a few players who couldn't even afford car repairs. When Rayo Vallecano were about to earn promotion to La Liga despite all the odds - the players not being paid,