The Mail Bag
Valente
Comments (15)
Just a quick random thought after watching Valente play over the past few months.
Having seen him prior to playing for Everton (internationals etc.) and in his early Everton days, my opinion - and i think the opinion of most - would have been that he is a decent defensive fullback, with an outstanding range of passing, if not a whole lot of pace.
Over the past few months, however, he seems to have gone the oter way, in both respects.
His defending has generally been top notch, for mine, since November. However, his passing & crossing has been inconsistant at best. Although he seems to have quite an understanding developing with Pienaar.
Jarrod Prosser, Posted 13/01/2008 at 23:03:20
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Nick Veitch
2 Posted 14/01/2008 at 06:37:02
2 Posted 14/01/2008 at 06:37:02
From a 3rd person over the other side of the world (Australia as well), I too agree with both Jarrod and Mark.
I was very excited by Baines’ performances earlier in the season and from what I had seen of Wigan last year he was their best player. I’d like to see him back in the starting 11 most definitely.
Moyes obviously wants to show Valente that if he performs he will keep his spot. However, I think he played rather shite on the weekend. We’ll see what Moyes does i guess.
I was very excited by Baines’ performances earlier in the season and from what I had seen of Wigan last year he was their best player. I’d like to see him back in the starting 11 most definitely.
Moyes obviously wants to show Valente that if he performs he will keep his spot. However, I think he played rather shite on the weekend. We’ll see what Moyes does i guess.
James Sheedy
3 Posted 14/01/2008 at 07:24:40
3 Posted 14/01/2008 at 07:24:40
I?m a huge fan of Valente and still think he can do a job at this level. I think the major concern is he has been used as injury cover a bit this year, as well as having injuries himself he has not had an extended run in the side. I think someone like Valente needs games to find his touch rather than playing the occasional game.
No doubt all things being equal Baines is probably the preferred player. But I think at the same time people can forget very quickly, Nuno played some good games earlier in the season when he has come into the side. Given his age however he does not have long left so squad depth is really what he is there for.
No doubt all things being equal Baines is probably the preferred player. But I think at the same time people can forget very quickly, Nuno played some good games earlier in the season when he has come into the side. Given his age however he does not have long left so squad depth is really what he is there for.
David Moore
4 Posted 14/01/2008 at 07:31:40
4 Posted 14/01/2008 at 07:31:40
From fouth person on the other side of the world and third from Australia I have to agree with all of you. I think Valente has been a fantastic player for us. But injuries and old age are catching up with him and he is now just lacking in that attacking touch. I think we should play the player which suits the team we are playing. Against bigger (physical) sides we play Valente but smaller sides we play Baines.
Allan Hobbs
5 Posted 14/01/2008 at 09:33:38
5 Posted 14/01/2008 at 09:33:38
To be fair to Nuno, he’s been an established International for years and hardly ever plays for us - he’s never complained and when he comes in he’s very steady. Knocking him for his ability at this stage of his career seems someone hard on the bloke.
As a defender he’s probably better that anyone else we have at left back.
As a defender he’s probably better that anyone else we have at left back.
Gareth Cooper
6 Posted 14/01/2008 at 09:40:58
6 Posted 14/01/2008 at 09:40:58
I thought he was pretty average at the weekend. I watched from the upper gwladys and found myself angry at him on a number of occasions. My usual groans are aimed at Neville (who looked solid enough) and Hibbert (who was superb in my opinion).
On three occasions he passed the ball straight out of play down the line, when aiming for a short ball to McFadden’s feet. Also his crossing was rubbish in the most part. This was highlighted with around 10 mins left when arteta had jinked down the line taking 3 players out of position. He then laid the ball back to Valente in acres of space, only to see him spoon it up for an easy catch for their keeper. Very frustrating!!
I must admit though he was quite good defensively, however I would love to see Bainsey get a decent run in the team when up to full fitness. Fingers crossed he gets a bit of luck on that front.
On three occasions he passed the ball straight out of play down the line, when aiming for a short ball to McFadden’s feet. Also his crossing was rubbish in the most part. This was highlighted with around 10 mins left when arteta had jinked down the line taking 3 players out of position. He then laid the ball back to Valente in acres of space, only to see him spoon it up for an easy catch for their keeper. Very frustrating!!
I must admit though he was quite good defensively, however I would love to see Bainsey get a decent run in the team when up to full fitness. Fingers crossed he gets a bit of luck on that front.
Peter Laing
7 Posted 14/01/2008 at 10:07:23
7 Posted 14/01/2008 at 10:07:23
Please can we have Gary Naysmith back, I miss his lame run, fantastic distribution and hard tackling
Arthur Jones
8 Posted 14/01/2008 at 10:05:35
8 Posted 14/01/2008 at 10:05:35
Bainsey is obviously the long term solution to our left back position but in the mean time it?s great that Nuno and Joleon can fit into the position comfortably whilst we await for Leighton to regain the outstanding form and fitness he showed at the start of the season, it?s one place we don?t have to worry about
Harj Badial
9 Posted 14/01/2008 at 10:25:35
9 Posted 14/01/2008 at 10:25:35
To be fair, Valente is in and out of the team... although Baines in No1, Valente does not get a decent run in the team to show his true class. I believe he is classy.... still a portugese International ? let's not be too harsh on him.
Dan McKie
10 Posted 14/01/2008 at 11:30:00
10 Posted 14/01/2008 at 11:30:00
I have always liked Valente defensivly and going forward but I would like to see Baines get a sustained run in the side, he has so far been unlucky with injuries!
Laurie Hartley
11 Posted 14/01/2008 at 11:12:38
11 Posted 14/01/2008 at 11:12:38
I am a Nuno fan also - he is a class act who comes very highly recommended. He needs more football. On his day, there is none better than him at the club when it comes to crossing a ball on the run from the left wing. Here’s a tip - Tim and the Yak will get on the end of a couple of his passes into the box before this season is out.
With his experience he must be considered for the EUFA cup games.
PS - I like Baines too - definitely a good buy.
PPS - Didn’t Tony Hibbert have a blinder on Saturday?
COTB!!!!
With his experience he must be considered for the EUFA cup games.
PS - I like Baines too - definitely a good buy.
PPS - Didn’t Tony Hibbert have a blinder on Saturday?
COTB!!!!
Connor Rohrer
12 Posted 14/01/2008 at 11:52:34
12 Posted 14/01/2008 at 11:52:34
I think Toffeeweb sums up Nuno Valente: There when needed...
He’s just comes in and more times than not he does a decent job. I thought his performance was mixed in the weekend. He started poorly miscontroling a pass booting his first kick out of play but once he got going he was solid.
We should keep hold of him definatly. He’s experienced, good on the ball and has a good cross most of the time. Maybe Baines can learn a few things from him.
He’s just comes in and more times than not he does a decent job. I thought his performance was mixed in the weekend. He started poorly miscontroling a pass booting his first kick out of play but once he got going he was solid.
We should keep hold of him definatly. He’s experienced, good on the ball and has a good cross most of the time. Maybe Baines can learn a few things from him.
Dean Johnson
13 Posted 14/01/2008 at 12:21:15
13 Posted 14/01/2008 at 12:21:15
I am also a Nuno fan.
But not when he plays behind faddy. When he plays with a decent footballer on the left ie Arteta, Pienaar he shows that he is quite simply the best passer of the ball in our squad, save for Mikky of course
He defends really well, normally has excellent positional sense, but his injuries just don?t help him get a run in the team and subsequently progress.
See Pienaar's goal against Sunderland I think for an example
But not when he plays behind faddy. When he plays with a decent footballer on the left ie Arteta, Pienaar he shows that he is quite simply the best passer of the ball in our squad, save for Mikky of course
He defends really well, normally has excellent positional sense, but his injuries just don?t help him get a run in the team and subsequently progress.
See Pienaar's goal against Sunderland I think for an example
Phil Brown
14 Posted 14/01/2008 at 13:13:48
14 Posted 14/01/2008 at 13:13:48
The obvious solution is to play Valente at full back and baines as left midfield where his speed and delivery of the ball would be best utilised. Particularly in the absence of Steve Pienaar.
Lue Glover
15 Posted 14/01/2008 at 18:38:29
15 Posted 14/01/2008 at 18:38:29
Nuno’s best days are no doubt behind him but for some people to say he’s crap is a bit unfair. When he’s be called upon to play, he’s done well. I check the stats in the Telegraph on a sunday and his passing isnt as woeful as many think. Having said that his passing on saturday was not as good as I would have expected. In terms of tackling though, he put in some real crunchers against Man City. Did Man City score against us? No, they didnt. I’ve no doubt that Leighton Baines has a great future but there must be a reason why DM is playing Valente ahead of him?
I like to think that DM plays the best player for each game. Perhaps he thought that Nuno’s experience would be better placed to deal with the attacking flair of City (?)
By my reckoning he made two mistakes on saturday and yes he links much better with Pienaar than McFadden.
A player with a cabinet full of medals at team and international level can’t be described as shite. He may be past his best but he still has something to offer and it’s clear that DM can see that.
Baines didnt even get on the bench v Chelsea so maybe it’s fitness, who knows. Nuno is also, allegedly, one of the most popular lads in the squad. He seems to be one of those players that people either love or hate. He CAN pass and he certainly CAN put in some telling crosses. He can tackle and takes no prisoners. He’s also commited to the team. No one has a bigger grin when we score. He may not be a favourite of many but he IS a good footballer. Read the stats and those of you who have doubts will see the proof. Nuno even made it into Garth Crooks’ squad of the weekend. Lescott and Neville actually made the first IX. Fantastic. I’m a very proud Blue at the moment, are’nt you?
I like to think that DM plays the best player for each game. Perhaps he thought that Nuno’s experience would be better placed to deal with the attacking flair of City (?)
By my reckoning he made two mistakes on saturday and yes he links much better with Pienaar than McFadden.
A player with a cabinet full of medals at team and international level can’t be described as shite. He may be past his best but he still has something to offer and it’s clear that DM can see that.
Baines didnt even get on the bench v Chelsea so maybe it’s fitness, who knows. Nuno is also, allegedly, one of the most popular lads in the squad. He seems to be one of those players that people either love or hate. He CAN pass and he certainly CAN put in some telling crosses. He can tackle and takes no prisoners. He’s also commited to the team. No one has a bigger grin when we score. He may not be a favourite of many but he IS a good footballer. Read the stats and those of you who have doubts will see the proof. Nuno even made it into Garth Crooks’ squad of the weekend. Lescott and Neville actually made the first IX. Fantastic. I’m a very proud Blue at the moment, are’nt you?
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1 Posted 14/01/2008 at 04:36:34
To be honest when Valente first arrived I was quite excited as he?d been recommended by Mourinho and was Portugals left back.
As time went on and the ijuries mounted I came to the conclusion that we needed a new left back (Baines was among one of the players I admired).
To be honest when Baines arrived this season I thought hewas amongst our top 3 performers and now that he?s back from injury Im hoping that Moyes will start him rather than playing Valente ? who to me these days looks useless with little attacking threat along with poor distribution (as you say).
Bring Baines back!!!