This wil be broadcast on gol tv aka 'tvu player available'. This will be the first chance to see a Koeman coached Valencia play in La Liga, and since I couldn't watch the Rosenborg match, my first time seeing a Koeman coached valencia. Murcia is 1-2-2 away from home, so circumstances look like they could be favourable for Valencia....but since the Mestalla is not at the moment the '3 points in the bank' for Valencia that it has been, things look a little more up in the air. Still, Los Pimentoneros are not exactly an offensive juggernaut, as they've only scored, cough, 8 goals, while conceding only 10, 9 less than Los Ches.

18 players are listed for Saturday - I know, the midfield or lack thereof induces a few groans:

'Keepers: Hildebrand y Mora.

Defenders: Miguel, Caneira, Albiol, Marchena, Helguera y Moretti.

Midfielders: Albelda, Baraja, Vicente y Angulo.

Forwards: Mata, Zigic, Arizmendi, Morientes, Villa y Silva.


I think that maybe the absence of Fernandes may be a bit disciplinary as he was 30 minutes late for a training session either Wednesday or Thursday, but that is just speculation on my part. I don't know why Joaquin is absent.

As for Los Pimentoneros, they've been promoted to the first division after finishing third in the second division last year. Last time they were in the Primera was 03-04, where they promptly finished last and returned to the Segunda.

Joaquin was late in a tactic speech, that's why he is out of the list. Koeman said that he found some things he didn't like and one of them is the players' lack of responsibility.

I liked it. It's a good point for Koeman.

Good move but only hope that it won't effect our performance as Joaquin has been our best player this year while Fernandes played well against Mallorca & was coming to form...

At the same time I don't want the players to think that they are above the club or smthng....

And Fernandes is also out of the list due to being late at thursday's training. And his game against Rosenborg was very bad, so I guess this is another reason to be out this weekend.

By the way, I also like Koeman. I didn't know much as coach, but he looks like a man of club, and Valencia needs a culture club. I think it's good for players to be one hour before starting the training to have breakfast together. It can look a silly thing, but the team coexistence is necessary to play better on the field.

A good first half - the first twenty minutes were pretty enjoyable. If the first half is any indication, Koeman as strictly a defensive pragmatist might be put to rest. The team has defended well, but the organization going forward has been impressive at times. I think players are communicating a bit more.

The second goal was nice - I can't believe it was Albelda who sent the through ball.

Pretty solid first half there, happy with the performance for the first time this season. The team is functioning better as a whole. I hope this is the Koeman effect and we'll see a progression over time.

Hopefully they can produce solid second half. I'm pleasantly surprised so far

haha i was completely shocked. As the Goltv commentator said "the run makes the pass", I think that was the case there. Still I can't believe Albelda did it, he's the last person on the team I'd expect to see that through ball from.

Interested to see how we play in the second half, I know Quique would make sure we defended to such a degree that a goal or two would be conceded I hope this mentality isn't drilled into the players.

Today we were really tremendous.Koeman made perfect tactic,he played with the perfect 11,and his substitutes were right.Great to see finally Villa scoring,adn Albelda so good in the centre of the pitch alongside Pipo Baraja.I was impressed that every player was
fighting for the ball.The Murcia players were pressured in every moment,something which was missing when a coach was QUique.

I'm finally off of wedding parties. I had 2 bachelor parties and 3 weddings in the last 6 weeks. I'll be able to see next match (I hope nobody else is thinking about getting married and inviting me as well ). It was funny, during the wedding, my father was calling me when anybody scored and I was informing about it to the rest of the people.

Note to remember: Not to get married when Valencia plays... nobody is paying attention to you, they are too busy finding out for the score.