The Pride of Vallekas

Sometimes, I have thoughts and snippets that don't always deserve a full article, but also don't deserve to go into the heap. In other words, welcome to my drafts folder. Watch out for this type of article occasionally - on Sundays (Sunday Snippets) and Thursdays (Thursday Thoughts). The secret to long throws, their power (up to 60 kilometers per hour), and the distance traveled (up to 38 meters), is the technique. The explosive force that makes the long throw successful comes from the the shoulders and lower back. The release angle never exceeds 20 degrees, so that the ball increases its velocity and does not dip quickly - otherwise it can be easily cleared. They called him the catapult. No, not Morten Gamst Pedersen of Blackburn, or Rory Delap of Stoke City - even if they had the same technique. No, they say that about Marius Stankevičius - a former Sevilla, Valencia and Córdoba defender, currently seeing out his career in amateur football in Italy with AC Crema 19...

You can follow Matthew on Twitter here . A bit about yourself and your background A lifelong football fan of Blackburn Rovers and football in general. Since moving to Spain 14 years ago for academic and professional reasons my interest in Spanish football has only increased. In that time I have watched many Spanish football games of many different teams both on TV and in different stadiums across the country. Of course Blackburn Rovers will always be my team! How long have you been a fan of UCAM Murcia and what made you support them in the first place?  I have been following the fortunes of UCAM Murcia CF for the last 3 seasons, this current season being the first I have held a season ticket for any Spanish club. Televised live games on PopularTV when UCAM Murcia CF were in Segunda B made me want to see the games in the stadium and not just on TV. When UCAM Murcia CF made the decision to play their home games in La Condomina, this facilitated the possibility as the stadium...

When did you make the decision to pursue football and what motivated you to do so? The first time I saw a soccer ball was at 3 years of age. I remember perfectly seeing my brother playing and from that very moment I was in love with this sport. All I learned was thanks to my brother. What was the experience like when you played for Torrejón for the first time? For me it was a dream come true because I was going to have the possibility to play in the first division and I have to say that everything was thanks to my team A.D. Orcasitas that was in a lower category (2nd Division). It is a time in my life that I will never forget because it was where I got to know myself and where I learned to grow as a player. What were the initial thoughts you had when Rayo Vallecano approached you? The truth is that I felt very flattered and fortunate because they had a great project with great players and I was very excited that they wanted me to be part of the team. You were one of the ...

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...