Messi983
Senior Member
I don't blame Valverde for anything.
His goal was not to rebuild the team (what should have happened at that time) which I'm sure he would have done just fine if he would have a full support from the board.
But instead he was brought to squeeze the last atoms out of the amigos on their last legs which he did. He was smart enough to know if he has any chance to succeed he has to get on their good side. He could play a fake strong man trying to make changes like Setien but would be gone in few months. Players are not stupid and see right through you if you pretend to be something you are not. EV is a player's coach, he's not the one to make drastic decisions.
Bartomeu should have been the one to make tough calls and let few amigos (especially Pique and Suarez; Alba deserved to be axed too after Anfield but tbf he actually played on a high level the longest amongst amigos and I don't think he was that highly influentual as others - just have too bland personality for that - if anything he was just sticking around as one of Messi's close friends). Instead he rewarded them with new long term contracts which we are still paying consequences 5-6 years later.
Watching Valvede's Bilbao teams before he joined us or at current time it's evident the way he played here is not how he wants to play but he had to adapt to accomodate the walking amigos upfront. You can't play a high pressing game with Messi and Suarez while also having Busi and Raki on their last legs in midfield covering for them. Give him current team and we would see a different version of Valverdeball. Think he would also get a lot out of Lewy. 35 yo Aduriz arguably played his best football under Valverde.
Another thing is Bartomeu probably promised EV to sign Verratti. Instead he not only didn't get him but also lost Neymar in the same summer. So rather than having Ney and possibly Verratti we ended up with a glass-made Dembouz and mental midget Coutinho instead, lol. Whatever we think about Neyboy's personality and lately his injury problems he was often a driving force in big games for us and I'm sure Rome (and consequently Anfield) wouldn't have happened if we'd still have him.
But anyway, as a smart man once said It is what it is. We can't change the past and personally I don't hold onto that time anymore often. We've also had it worse after (h8-2 see that). That era is now almost fully behind us. Hopefully we've learned something (probably didn't) and will build towards a more bright future rather than think what could have been different 6-7 years ago.
His goal was not to rebuild the team (what should have happened at that time) which I'm sure he would have done just fine if he would have a full support from the board.
But instead he was brought to squeeze the last atoms out of the amigos on their last legs which he did. He was smart enough to know if he has any chance to succeed he has to get on their good side. He could play a fake strong man trying to make changes like Setien but would be gone in few months. Players are not stupid and see right through you if you pretend to be something you are not. EV is a player's coach, he's not the one to make drastic decisions.
Bartomeu should have been the one to make tough calls and let few amigos (especially Pique and Suarez; Alba deserved to be axed too after Anfield but tbf he actually played on a high level the longest amongst amigos and I don't think he was that highly influentual as others - just have too bland personality for that - if anything he was just sticking around as one of Messi's close friends). Instead he rewarded them with new long term contracts which we are still paying consequences 5-6 years later.
Watching Valvede's Bilbao teams before he joined us or at current time it's evident the way he played here is not how he wants to play but he had to adapt to accomodate the walking amigos upfront. You can't play a high pressing game with Messi and Suarez while also having Busi and Raki on their last legs in midfield covering for them. Give him current team and we would see a different version of Valverdeball. Think he would also get a lot out of Lewy. 35 yo Aduriz arguably played his best football under Valverde.
Another thing is Bartomeu probably promised EV to sign Verratti. Instead he not only didn't get him but also lost Neymar in the same summer. So rather than having Ney and possibly Verratti we ended up with a glass-made Dembouz and mental midget Coutinho instead, lol. Whatever we think about Neyboy's personality and lately his injury problems he was often a driving force in big games for us and I'm sure Rome (and consequently Anfield) wouldn't have happened if we'd still have him.
But anyway, as a smart man once said It is what it is. We can't change the past and personally I don't hold onto that time anymore often. We've also had it worse after (h8-2 see that). That era is now almost fully behind us. Hopefully we've learned something (probably didn't) and will build towards a more bright future rather than think what could have been different 6-7 years ago.
