Valencia Shows Zola How Simple Is Best

Now at the risk of sounding obsessional, I would like to bring to everybody's attention the beautiful simplicity of Valencia's performance in the first 45 minutes against Bayern Munich tonight. What has he done? He's played like an old fashioned right winger, attacking the full back and knocking over crosses which experienced international defenders have not been able to defend.

Valencia lacks the brilliance of Messi, Ribery and Robben, so Ferguson doesn't waste time playing him on the wrong flank. Being the experienced manager that he is, Fergie plays to the player's strengths and weaknesses. Sod cutting inside onto his strongest foot, Valencia is encouraged to rely on his strongest foot, his right foot, and to play down the right flank, creating openings for others. He murdered Spector at Old Trafford and for 45 minutes tonight, he has put Bayern to the sword, and they have had no answer.

Now rumour has it that a certain Anton Ferdinand will be playing at left back for Sunderland on Saturday. If that is the case, then the strategy should be absolutely obvious. Get Stanislas on the right and tell him to make Anton's life hell. In tandem with Faubert, they should be able to rip apart the make shift left back if told to keep it simple and do what comes naturally. With Ilan and Cole up front and Noble breaking into the box, the left flank of the Sunderland defence could and should be open season - if Zola shows Stanislas a tape of Valencia and says, "I want you to do that!"

Come On You Justify the Fat Tosser Ferdinand Jibes Irons!