The Pride of Vallekas

I remember doing a Silly Season accumulator series on this blog and it ended up being a long, long list of rumors that made no sense when put together. So, instead, given that I promised more Rayo coverage on this blog, here is the latest news: According to multiple sources Rayo's priorities are a deep-lying midfielder ( pivote ) and a winger. Rayo have been repeatedly linked with Getafe's out-of-favor midfielder Mehdi Lacen. However, Markel Bergara's injury has given Mehdi game time, so the operation may be difficult. Francisco Cerro was signed this summer, but has since reportedly declined an offer from Lorca. Cerro would prefer to try to continue fighting for minutes in the Rayo. Coke Andújar, former Rayo youth product, was linked with Rayo, but has instead joined Levante in La Liga. San Fernando's 20-year-old striker Chris Ramos was linked with Rayo, but has joined Real Valladolid instead. Former Rayo player Emiliano Armenteros is out-of-favor at Sant...

Edit: in the pictures below I have mixed up former Llagostera player Tito with current Llagostera player Pitu.  Apologies for that. Mixing up two (admittedly very similar) players is a first for this blog. Hopefully it will be the last too. Reus Deportiu vs Rayo Vallecano. Starting lineups. Míchel and Aritz López Garai both made major changes to their squad from their previous games - a 1-0 win against Almería and a 1-1 draw at Huesca respectively. This was understandable, given that for Rayo and Reus this was their third game in eight and nine days respectively. Rayo's defense was completely reshuffled. Right to left, Baiano, Emiliano Velázquez, José Antonio Dorado and Sergio Akieme became Baiano, Antonio Amaya, Abdoulaye Ba and Álex Moreno - that's three changes. Moreover, in midfield, Francisco Cerro replaced Unai López for his first start in a Rayo shirt, or indeed in Spanish football. There was also a fifth change that Míchel was forced to make after the starti...