Topic: Valero - What went wrong?

[SuperDorrans]

Running the show for Villareal tonight...

Two assists in a game against Napoli in the Europa League, and Napoli are title contenders in Serie A. Pretty crazy that he didn't really stand out in our team 2 years ago. What do you think really went wrong?

I personally think Mowbray played him so deep he couldn't have much of an influence anyway.

[Dudleylad]

Mowbray wrecked him as a player here, I have heard so much about him not being suited to our league but I dont agree with that he was just played in the wrong position and the our besottedness with the manager clouded our judgement towards the player

[SuperDorrans]

Kind of agree in a way, although I don't ever think he'd be as good as he is in Spain in this league because of the physical aspect of his game. How much do you think we got for him in the end?

[LiamTheBaggie]

Played out of position in a team which evolved around Jonathan Greening. I'd like to of saw him in our attacking role, shame it's too late.

[Baggie79]

If you play a RM/AM at DM what do you expect?

[RowleyBaggie2]

Valero and Barnett were wrecked by Mowbrays arrogance.

[graka]

physical attributes are not the be all and end all look at luca modric, played where he can hurt teams and makes valero look like van damme on steroids!

[Barrington]

Played in the wrong position. There was always a place for Valero in this league. I'm not having any of this "He was too lightweight". Some players are that good on the ball that played in the right position they can be very effective. I'd also say that the bit of prem experience he's had has improved his tackling side of the game which has helped him now he has moved on back to La Liga.

He was worth the money we paid for him. Used in the wrong way though. Our loss.

[Baggie Artist]

The idea behind playing him deeper was so that he could get more of the ball but obviously building the team around him in his natural position would have been the best way to get the most out of him.

Have we done the same to Dorrans this season? Either way Dorrans has dealt with it far better than Valero did, I really wasn't impressed with what he did produce.

[GrGr]

Valero must have been so frustrated with the British understanding of the game when he was here.

I really liked what Roy said when he came, that he likes to talk with the players and ask them where they like to play and feel they are the most efficient.

[PsalmXXIII]

I won tickets to see the Albion vs Chelsea match 2 seasons ago from the executive boxes (much to my annoyance when they said I 'couldn't wear team colours' in my  own team's stand) and watched Valero rule the midfield. He looked top notch that game and I felt he could really do a job here. I agree we tried to shove him anywhere we could and not play him in position, but a player should, when given the opportunity, show how he can play and adjust his game, sadly, Valero didn't bother to show what he could do in his preferred position.

[Vassassin]

So I suppose Carson is now practicing his shooting as Roy will ask to partner Shorey as our striker force against Stoke? Shouldn't be a problem Psalm XXIII?

[up_the_baggies]

football's a simple game - play your strongest players in the right positions.

Valero should've been playing just behind the strikers in an attacking role.

[kris_boing]

I dont think he was suited to the tough end of the Premier League.  Very few times did he play well or boss a game and we did try him in quite a few different positions.

The problem for me was that we had players around him that were very similar in terms of physique and the way they play.  A midfield of Greening, Koren, Brunt, Morrison or Do Heon/Menseguez would not compliment Valero.

[The Black Pearl]

The physicallity of the Premiership may have prevented his best performance, never really stood out, some plyers are just not suited to the Premiership, maybe he would have been better in an established team, who knows, fact is, he had a chance and looked decent but nothing special, spilt milk and all that! 

[DudleyDan]

We royally fudged up with Valero.

He is a quality player who will go on to be a Spanish International, play for one of the big teams and play in World Cups and we'll have to listen to Gary Lineker reminding us of his one season at WBA.

Mowbray played him in a stupid position (the Mulumbu role) where he had no support from anyone in front of him, no time on the ball etc.

He should have been played in the role TM gave Mensuguez for the last few games of the season (behind the lone striker) - only for the entire season.

I still don't know why we just didn't keep him this year and let him go if it didn't work.

[Mister AT]

We have let a quality player go.

Hes showing how good he actually is, i dont believe for a 2nd hes too lightweight. Hes got the same technical abilities as the Arsenal players and other spanish players for that matter.

In the right position he would have been dangerous.

[dangerman]

I completely blame Mowbray.

He's looking a fantastic player.

Maybe he just didn't like West Bromwich?

[elminius]

I still don't know why we just didn't keep him this year and let him go if it didn't work.

Because the deals done lock stock and barrell its only creative accounting that means he is still associated with us. I have to say I dont really remember so many people wanting him to stay when he was here I also seem to remember many saying get rid. My how time makes the memory misty!

[westbrom87]

I agree that he would have been far more effective in his preferred role, but if he is as good as he seems to be playing in Spain, then surely he would have had enough about him to put in a few more half decent performances!

Dorrans gets played deep sometimes but it doesnt turn him into a very mediocre player.

[63Brummie]

physical attributes are not the be all and end all look at luca modric, played where he can hurt teams and makes valero look like van damme on steroids!

True.
Just look at Dennis Law

[smethwickw]

I think he was too one paced for the Prem. Even out of position he showed no real ability to beat a man or get any goal threat. Something that Mulumbu in the same position shows most weeks. Mowbray might have played him out of position but even RDM didn't consider him to be suited to our game either. If he is as good as people make out then will another Prem club come in for him in future? Who knows. I think Spain is where he is most suited.

[DudleyDan]

Because the deals done lock stock and barrell its only creative accounting that means he is still associated with us. I have to say I dont really remember so many people wanting him to stay when he was here I also seem to remember many saying get rid. My how time makes the memory misty!

I mean at the start of the season - the deal at the end of the season with Mallorca was set in stone - then cancelled and a new deal with Villareal is now set in stone. Somewhere in between we'd have had the opportunity to keep him.

[B_H_Baggie]

I mean at the start of the season - the deal at the end of the season with Mallorca was set in stone - then cancelled and a new deal with Villareal is now set in stone. Somewhere in between we'd have had the opportunity to keep him.

No point keeping someone who has made it perfectly clear they don't want to stay. His family didn't settle over here and he wanted to remain in Spain after not adapting here, he had the option of European football or coming back here. I imagine the club weren't too fussed as they probably got his wages off the bill and will get some of their money back they paid for him.

Also the Mallorca deal was never set in stone, all they ha was an agreed price in the contract that they could buy him for as they have to have due to Spanish regulations and they couldn't afford to keep him. The deal with Villareal is different, this one is definitely binding.

[DaveWBA]

Not sure what to make of him at all, whenever I've seen him for Villareal this season he's played deep. A reason many here gave for his failings.