Real Valladolid CF Preview

Coach:José Luis Mendilibar, ex-Athletic Bilbao
Stadium:Estadio José Zorrilla, (26,512).
Region: Castile and Leon
Nickname: Pucela, Pucelanos, Blanquivioletas or Albivioletas(White-Purples),
Derby: Real Madrid
Sponsor: Caja Duero, a banking institution serving the communities of Salamanca y Soria
Kit Description: Home: An lavender and white striped top with white shorts and white socks. Away: A lavender and black striped shirt with black shorts and black socks. Third: An all purple kit with white stripes. Note: Last year's away kit was a monstrosity of teal and purple so black and purple is acceptable considering.
History: Real Valladolid was founded on the 20th of June in 1928 from the union of Real Unión Deportiva and Club Deportivo Español. It vacillated between the top three divisions for much of its existence culminating with a 3-0 win on aggregate over two legs against Atletico de Madrid in the now defunct Spanish League Cup (the equivalent of today's Carling Cup in England) in 1983-1984. They enjoyed some success in the late 90's with future Liverpool and Valencia boss Rafa Benitez, reaching as high as 7th under subsequent coach Vicente Cantatore. After Mendilibar left Athletic Bilbao in 2005-2006 and became coach in Valladolid, the team responded with their best performance in the second division since winning it in 1958-1959. They finished that year with an all-time high 88 points, winning it by 8 points over their closest rivals and 26 points higher than the fourth placed team that year. They were also mathematically promoted in the 34th round of matches, the earliest ever for a second division team. Since then they have started well in the first division both years but their lack of depth has hurt them and they have finished 15th twice.
Trophy Room:
* Second Division: 1947-48, 1958-59
* Spanish League Cup: 1983-84

Famous Former Players: Ruben Baraja, Cuahtemoc Blanco, Rene Higuita, Fernando Hierro, Gabriel Heinze, Luis Garcia Sanz, Carlos Valderrama
Main Story from last year: The club have parlayed their success in the second division into two strong if not stellar seasons in La Liga. Built on a strong and tight defense, Mendilibar has built his club slowly, with talent borrowed, bought and stolen from the lower divisions. They squeaked by relegation, a product of how poor the very bottom of La Liga really was last year, and have seen 4 of their players (Alberto, Inaki Bea, Victor and Vivar Dorado), and most importantly highly rated GK Sergio Asenjo, leave Valladolid for greener (less-purpler) pastures. The club are training for some inexplicable reason in a small town outside of Birmingham, England and are beginning a slow, rebuild under coach Jose Luis Mendilibar.

Transfers: Signing MF Nauzet Alemán from Las Palmas in Gran Canaria. Jacobo (Getafe - loan period ended), Héctor Font (Osasuna), Diego Costa (Atlético Madrid), Alberto Bueno (Real Madrid Castilla), Fabricio (Deportivo), Manucho (Manchester United), Pelé (Porto - one year loan), César Arzo, Marquitos (Villarreal)

Squad Overview: In losing Asenjo the club are faced with conundrum in goal. Give it veteran Paraguayan keeper Justo Villar who is making his way to Europe for the first time in his career at the age of 32 or trust 21 year old ex-Depor starlet Fabri. Look for Villar to start. The defense is held firm by Valencia defender Ruben Barajas's brother Javier and Valladolid captain Marcos, but at 35 years of age he isn't the player he once was. The center of the pitch is in good hands with Borja anchoring the back but the loss of five important players will definitely hurt. Goitom is back in Almeria after his loan spell ended so ex-ManU FW Manucho might finally get some minutes there and Alberto Bueno stands to help a bit in support.

Prediction: After placing 15th for two years straight with essentially cantera players from the whole of Spain, Mendilibar has spun the wheel again with a new set of cantera players and is hoping for similar results. I'm thinking a slight dropoff to 16th narrowly escaping relegation.