Antonio Valencia | 2009/10 Performances

[HsJ]

He motioned his foot backwards, flicking the ball under him. You dont control the ball like that unless you're trying to do a Macheda against Villa last season. The fact Nani spins the other way, giving himself no chance whatsoever of getting the ball after his touch suggests it wasnt for him.

If it was a popular player and not Nani, nobody would be questioning whether he meant it.

Well, if he meant it, it was brilliant.

His flick to Valencia when Owen swung and missed was a top pass. He put in a few dangerous crosses when he got in the position to, and always looked more likely to do something because he could beat a player on the wing

 

[Raven Blade]

http://www.101greatgoals.com/videodisplay/3819432/

Nani made several other flicks backwards like this throughout the match, including to set Valencia free who crossed and Owen fluffed that first chance.

If it was Berbatov "Its a touch of genius!"

If its Nani "Its an unintentional touch!"

Credit where its due. You are 100% right on that point. He tried a few clever flicks in that game and this one came off for Owen. It was an assist.

 

[Rado_N]

UEFA is headed by Platini..

End of story.

What does that even mean?

 

[championo]

Having watch that goal again, there is angle that gives the impression that the shot was going wide, but it was a curler from on camera angle taken from behind the goal. Moving very fast to be on target.

 

[HsJ]

A shot of his took a deflection, and scored, no shot, no goal.

It was his cross that it came from though, maybe not a direct assist but you know what I mean.

It wasn't a direct assist, but it was the first time he decided to whip the ball in early - a move which he rarely does.

I found that he was running up a dead end for most of the night tonight, and he couldnt gain a yard on the two lads marking him to put a cross in.

When he was 1v1 he never had the tricks in his locker to get passed the man.

He got better though towards the last 10 mins, when he decided to wonder in field and get involved more. Some neat touches.

But Obertan came out on top in WingerWar today.

 

[HsJ]

What does that even mean?

He gets everything wrong, UEFA have the goal down as Valencia's when its blatently an O.G. so they have got it wrong again.

 

[Rado_N]

It wasn't a direct assist, but it was the first time he decided to whip the ball in early - a move which he rarely does.

I found that he was running up a dead end for most of the night tonight, and he couldnt gain a yard on the two lads marking him to put a cross in.

When he was 1v1 he never had the tricks in his locker to get passed the man.

He got better though towards the last 10 mins, when he decided to wonder in field and get involved more. Some neat touches.

But Obertan came out on top in WingerWar today.

Is that a serious comment?

 

[Allforone]

Still hasnt mastered the art of how to smile....has he smiled once since we signed him?...clearly dreaming of Madrid....

 

[HsJ]

Is that a serious comment?

Yeah, well I think he came into the match when we were under a lot of pressure. He showed a calm head, beat his man several times, linked up well with Evra (who got some space down the left flank due to his neat through balls) and all in all, didn't do anything wrong.

Instead he looked lively, and had me on the edge of my seat when he got the ball - I actually expected him to skin his man, rather than expect to be disapointed.

He did the simple things well - and he had the tricks to go with it too.

 

[Ekeke]

Well, if he meant it, it was brilliant.

His flick to Valencia when Owen swung and missed was a top pass. He put in a few dangerous crosses when he got in the position to, and always looked more likely to do something because he could beat a player on the wing

One more thing you can see from the replay on the link I pasted (around 50 seconds) is that as soon as he did it, he was staring straight towards Owen and Macheda, as thats where he intended it to go. The ball went slightly to the right of them though, so you can see him realise that and then change the direction he's looking to follow Owen running onto it. It was a clever touch that came off although I think he was trying to put it right where our two strikers were instead of in front of Owen.

But it was good enough to allow Owen to score and I dont think he could possibly have been trying to control it for himself with the technique and turn he used. Its not one of those ones where a player tries to cushion it with the inside of the foot and it rolls behind him, or hesitates not realising the ball is going to reach him and then doesnt make it to the ball, only for it to run onto a team mate.

"Did he mean it?!?"

With those, who knows? But this looks far more deliberate and his reaction after suggests it wasnt meant for himself.

 

[Rado_N]

I was also very impressed with Obertan, but to say that overall today he was better than Valencia is a massive oberreaction.

 

[HsJ]

One more thing you can see from the replay on the link I pasted (around 50 seconds) is that as soon as he did it, he was staring straight towards Owen and Macheda, as thats where he intended it to go. The ball went slightly to the right of them though, so you can see him realise that and then change the direction he's looking to follow Owen running onto it. It was a clever touch that came off although I think he was trying to put it right where our two strikers were instead of in front of Owen.

But it was good enough to allow Owen to score and I dont think he could possibly have been trying to control it for himself with the technique and turn he used. Its not one of those ones where a player tries to cushion it with the inside of the foot and it rolls behind him, or hesitates not realising the ball is going to reach him and then doesnt make it to the ball, only for it to run onto a team mate.

"Did he mean it?!?"

With those, who knows? But this looks far more deliberate and his reaction after suggests it wasnt meant for himself.

you make a good arguement, I'd like to think he meant it. So we'll give him credit for it because he gets far too much crap thrown his way on this forum.

 

[Top]

To be fair Top after your "I can predict the people in Nani/Valencia threads" comment the other day, I think almost anybody on the forum could have predicted you'd show up in here after the match informing us that he doesn't use his left foot.

I don't think I've never mentioned Valencia's left foot on here before today, so that's quite impressive if you were able to foresee that Nick.

You're very touchy when it comes to Valencia, but at least you're aware of that, considering you took my comment the other day personally

 

[Enigma_87]

Having watch that goal again, there is angle that gives the impression that the shot was going wide, but it was a curler from on camera angle taken from behind the goal. Moving very fast to be on target.

you mean this one?

Manchester United vs CKSA Moscow 3-3 Goal By Luis Antonio Valencia 2009-11-03 - GoalVideoz

 

[Rado_N]

I don't think I've never mentioned Valencia's left foot on here before, so that's quite impressive if you were able to foresee that Nick.

You're very touchy when it comes to Valencia, but at least you're aware of that, considering you took my comment the other day personally

I'm not touchy when it comes to him, I just get wound up by people making frankly stupid comments about any of our players and even more so when people basically write them off 2 months into their United career.

I'll defend any United player who I think is getting undue stick.

 

[R.N7]

Valencia v CSKA Moscow

"Going miles away from goal". Typical exaggeration. It was bending it's way towards the near post.

 

[Top]

I'm not touchy when it comes to him, I just get wound up by people making frankly stupid comments about any of our players and even more so when people basically write them off 2 months into their United career.

I'll defend any United player who I think is getting undue stick.

So me saying I couldn't recall him using his left foot even once was undue stick?

Touchy.

 

[HsJ]

I was also very impressed with Obertan, but to say that overall today he was better than Valencia is a massive oberreaction.

Well I thought Valencia was distinctly average. So to be impressed with Obertan is logically saying that he played better than Valencia.

I thought today Valencia got figured out. He needs to add something to his game...

He is extremely one footed, which is fine (our greatest ever player has only a left foot), but he lacks that bit of magic to go past a player. He strikes me as a 'knock and run' sort of player who will beat a man if he has a run on him. Or if the ball is played into space behind the full back. But when one on one with the full back, he gets stuck. This is why he differs to Giggs, and even Nani and Obertan.

If he can add some tricks into his locker, he will be a great player. But until then, he will continue to be frustrated at the higher level.

I have faith however, I do believe that he can add to his game, the potential is there, but you can see with Obertan, Nani and Giggs, they look a lot more comfortable on the ball than Valencia.

I just get the feeling he needs to loosen up a bit. Seems a bit tense all the time. Probably why he doesnt smile much.

 

[Rado_N]

So me saying I couldn't recall him using his left foot even once was undue stick?

Touchy.

I wasn't referring to you with that, feck off!

And I thought I remembered you saying it before, so I apologise if I've mixed you up with somebody else.

 

[Member 5225]

he was sooo average today (as usual) - anyone who thinks otherwise is pretty deluded tbh

 

[Raees]

Valencia v CSKA Moscow

"Going miles away from goal". Typical exaggeration. It was bending it's way towards the near post.

Agreed.

 

[RedSky]

Is that a serious comment?

Apparently he's the new messiah. Give it a month or two and no doubt the Caf muppets will be calling for his head. He's just flavour of the month atm.

Valencia did ok, he went through a really terrible spell where he pretty much cocked everything up. Managed to play through that however and became more of a threat in the last 10 minutes.

At least he seems to be a player who wants to take shots on. Too many of our players try to pass it into the net, so its refreshing to see him take things on. I wasn't too impressed with him in the first 2 months, but October certainly seems to have shown his progression. Starting to impress me more, just needs to be a little more unpredictable!

 

[datura]

Starting to impress me more, just needs to be a little more unpredictable!

He's starting to cut inside a bit too, and looking to play others in. I think he'd benefit from a more attacking full back (or at least overlap like Neville was doing 2nd half) playing alongside him more frequently as Liverpool and CSKA tonight have found it too easy to double up on him and he can only really go backwards.

 

[RedSky]

He's starting to cut inside a bit too, and looking to play others in. I think he'd benefit from a more attacking full back (or at least overlap like Neville was doing 2nd half) playing alongside him more frequently as Liverpool and CSKA tonight have found it too easy to double up on him and he can only really go backwards.

Agreed, he certainly seemed to relish having that little bit more space that occurs when you have an overlapping fullback. Must admit, I didn't really rate Valencia much, pleased to see he's proving me wrong. Certainly looks comfortable in a United shirt.

 

[VP]

I thought both Nani and Valencia were poor. I just wish it was Nani who had got the deflected goal, he seems to need the confidence boost more.

Valencia is also by far the most one-footed player I've ever seen.

 

[HsJ]

He's starting to cut inside a bit too, and looking to play others in. I think he'd benefit from a more attacking full back (or at least overlap like Neville was doing 2nd half) playing alongside him more frequently as Liverpool and CSKA tonight have found it too easy to double up on him and he can only really go backwards.

This is a good point.

I think Wes Brown should be our first choice full back again. He was brilliant out there in both attack and defence. Him and Ronaldo had a good balance, surely he would form a good one with Valencia as well.

 

[Count Duckula]

I thought both Nani and Valencia were poor.

Indeed, this is what gets me. I don't see how people can say that Valencia played really well and yet Nani played like shite; both of them played fairly poorly in my opinion.

Of course, some posters are massive hypocrites (like Brad) and will mock those who dare to question Valencia whilst at the same time spewing vitriol at Nani, but I like to think most just tell it like it is. At least Pogue et al just defend any United player, Valencia AND Nani included.

I don't dislike Valencia. I think he has a lot of attributes to make it here, but at the moment he's predictable and one-footed and has been playing quite poorly.

He did benefit a lot from having Neville alongside him, though. A nice attacking fullback will make the world of difference, I think, rather than O'Shea (who tends to play it safe a lot more). In the same vein I think Nani would have looked a lot better if he'd been playing in front of Evra instead of Fabio.

 

[Allforone]

Indeed, this is what gets me. I don't see how people can say that Valencia played really well and yet Nani played like shite; both of them played fairly poorly in my opinion.

Of course, some posters are massive hypocrites (like Brad) and will mock those who dare to question Valencia whilst at the same time spewing vitriol at Nani, but I like to think most just tell it like it is. At least Pogue et al just defend any United player, Valencia AND Nani included.

I don't dislike Valencia. I think he has a lot of attributes to make it here, but at the moment he's predictable and one-footed and has been playing quite poorly.

He did benefit a lot from having Neville alongside him, though. A nice attacking fullback will make the world of difference, I think, rather than O'Shea (who tends to play it safe a lot more). In the same vein I think Nani would have looked a lot better if he'd been playing in front of Evra instead of Fabio.

I think your being a bit unfair here...In contrast id say over recent weeks Valencia has been as good as anyone in the attacking third for us consistency wise….he was one of our outstanding performers against Bolton in the league scoring one of the goals and being labelled man of the match by many on here in the aftermath threads….he was then probably our best player in Moscow scoring a very good winning goal capping off a very fine display of wing play...after earlier hitting a 20 yard thunderbolt off the crossbar at the end of a brilliant piece of interplay which was easily the best football of the match…and then at anfield he was easily our most potent attacking threat arguably our only decent forward outlet that day who time and again roasted insua down their left flank....not to mention he was the width of a crossbar away from scoring in a third successive match and turning the game at anfield on its head.…

Now don’t get me wrong im not saying he’s been overwhelming brilliant because he hasn’t but to say he’s been poor of late in my opinion is just not the case...had Berbatov and Owen been more clinical at the weekend he’d have another 2 excellent assists there...the cross for Berbatov was a fantastic ball for example and the awareness he showed in the box against rovers to set up Owen also has gone unnoticed simply because owen fluffed his lines...had the strikers done their respective jobs in both cases wed have been waxing lyrical about Valencias crossing and in box awareness culminating in the creating of two very fine goals…

I think hes getting better with every passing game with us from what ive seen and has comfortably outshone Nani in recent weeks….

 

[Bread]

Nani is the most frustrating player i have seen in a long long time and whilst he may play the occasional good pass or shot his contribution for a professional footballer in his 3rd season at manchester united is not good enough, he stops a hell of a lot more than he starts and unless he improves i really cant see a future here.

 

[RedThaiDevils#7]

I can't believe people are calling Valencia shit, poor blah blah. Why get the stick to the player who has actually saved us in three - four games, has contributed overall way more than the fustrating Nani and has yet to play for us even for 4 months. He has been the most consistant player in my book, even Rooney has been poor in his last five games for us, mind u he did well against BB but hey, Valencia has been great everytime I watched him. I couldn't ask for more.

 

[R.N7]

The fact that he doesn't do fancy stepovers or use his left foot seems to completely cloud some peoples judgements on him. I see some people thought Obertan was the best winger on the night, just shows what a spastic haven this site really is.

 

[Alex]

Yeah he seems to be growing in confidence and influence, shame he doesnt have a left foot, but he is still playing well. Reckon if United signed a top RB, especially at going forward, his lack of left foot would be less of an issue.

 

[CnutOfAllCnuts]

Quite a limited player, but used in the right way could be a lethal weapon for us.

Liking what I've seen so far.

 

[TheReligion]

Thought he was poor last night

 

[TheReligion]

The fact that he doesn't do fancy stepovers or use his left foot seems to completely cloud some peoples judgements on him. I see some people thought Obertan was the best winger on the night, just shows what a spastic haven this site really is.

You mug...

Obertan had more of an impact on the game.

Valencia is a what you see is what you get sort of player. Can play well without actually changing a game as such.

 

[Pogue Mahone]

Quite a limited player, but used in the right way could be a lethal weapon for us.

Liking what I've seen so far.

True that. But in a good way.

Scholesy must think he's absolutely terrible, because he's a great example of a player who is all about his athleticism rather than his "technique". Either way, he's been one of our most consistent performers in his last few games and is starting to become a real goal threat too. Encouraging stuff.

 

[Pogue Mahone]

You mug...

Obertan had more of an impact on the game.

Valencia is a what you see is what you get sort of player. Can play well without actually changing a game as such.

I'm fairly sure I once heard someone say "goals change games". Or am I missing something?

 

[TheReligion]

True, he did score that deflected goal at the end, but during the game I found Valencia quite wasteful and sluggish in posession. He had a far better game agaisnt Blackburn.

 

[Pogue Mahone]

He put a load of dangerous balls into their box (the one that led to our first goal, the easy chance that Owen fluffed, the through-ball which Macheda put just wide of the post, Owen and Macheda's header (Gaz might have been responsible for one of them, can't be certain) etc. etc.

Valencia did lots of good things last night. He also conceded possession cheaply a few times (as all wingers do) and kept it simple more than some people would like him to do. I don't think it was an amazing performance but he was very effective and scored a crucial goal. Feck knows why this makes him the target of criticism.

 

[Rado_N]

How exactly was he wasteful?

And people going on about him getting to the byline and having to pass back as if its the worst thing in the world, he was consistently pulling two defenders out wide to deal with him and then laying it back to a wide open Neviller to put dangerous crosses in.