Clausura 2007: Season Review

Overall a disappointing season in which our primary objective was stuttered to, but we failed completely to go any further. The second half of this half season saw us get 8 draws and a loss from the last nine games. Our triumphant end to the Apertura 2006 was built on 2 losses, 3 draws and 4 wins, that’s 15 points ahead of 8 this time.

Tuca
Following a fine Apertura we had effectively put the descenso behind us, but still had to clock up a few points to be 100% sure. I think this was our downfall. Tuca consistently talking about the descenso meant that we were never ambitious enough to go further, and take control of games. In the end we stuttered home with (you’ve guessed it) a draw against Tecos. Tuca wanted to build a team that was hard to beat, but ended up with one that didn’t know how to win.

I felt overall that Tuca was not as incisive as he had been. He did not seem able to translate an idea onto the pitch, and his substitutions were rarely accurate, or even well thought out, witness the America game.

A frustrating thing was that having built an understanding of his system with his players last season, this time we seemed to start again, and go through that learngin process again. No idea why.

Refuerzos
His purchases at Christmas were not an unqualified success. Ailton spent most of the season injured, yet we had allowed Morales to go on loan to Necaxa, so young Jehu Chiapas had to fill in on the left. Naturally a central player he did well here, growing into the position game on game.

Paco Palencia, I felt was not a positive influence in the team. Clearly a better player than Ariel Gonzalez, his extra skill is off-set by a much more negative approach than the hustling Argentinean.

Problems up front – Problems at the back – Problems in midfield
We started with injuries, and a few problems with settling to a striking partnership. In the end Tuca settled for Paco Palencia and Ignacio Socco. Nacho had a quiet season, never quite clicked, but he’s a young man, and still came out top scorer. Paco however was far too negative throughout, and I would honestly rather have seen Ariel Gonzalez. He always looked lively, and so much more positive.

At the back it was all rather odd, Veron had a good season, Velarde started poorly, and I don’t think really ever regained his form of Apertura 2006. Castro was not his usually dependable self, and surprisingly made a glaring error, in the first game after playing for Mexico. I would have expected him to take this step-up in his stride, but this suggested otherwise. Pikolin had a decent season overall, won most in the air, although I think he has been “found out” to a degree, and most teams were trying the low whipped cross which he has difficulty with.

Despite conceding too many, and not scoring enough, I really believe our problems were in the centre of the park. I had high hopes that Sancho and Leandro could be a commanding partnership, but it never materialised, failing again and again to take control of the match. Leandro always playing too deep (except when Ailton on), and Sancho not enforcing as I would like to see him. I think we have to accept we need to find a new partnership here, one must go, and I think if Tuca stays (as seems more than likely) it will be Leandro. Out wide Parejita had an excellent season and Jehu Chiapas did a good job filling in on the left.

Draws, draws, draws
Eleven of our 17 games were draws, including eight in last nine games (the other one lost), I would say we should really have won every one of these games, with more garra, better finishing, and/or controlling the game better we could easily have been super-liders. The thing is, we were not in any trouble in these games, all the problems were of our own making.

I believe Tuca should have shown some balls during this period and mixed things up more. I would like to have, at least once, seen 4-3-3 (dropping Chiapas for Gonzalez), maybe even 5-3-2, using Castro, or Chiapas as contención. Young Jehu did a fine job filling in for the long term injured Ailton (letting Morales out on loan looking a clear mistake), but he must be given his chance in a central role, which is more natural for him. Also Tuca should have had the balls to drop the under-performing Palencia. OK, he helps the midfield, but he comes very deep. Whether this pushed Leandro deep, or he was deep because of Leandro I am not 100% certain. I am certain, however, that something should have been done about it at some point.

AWARDS:-
Best Game:-
Well, I will have to go for a win, and as there were not many, I am stuck, I think, with Santos. A crucial game for the descenso, and one I was not expecting to get to. So suddenly at the last minute I find myself in the stadium on one of those drizzly Wednesday night that I think give an edge to the match. A disappointing first half saw them score from a twice-taken penalty. To come back from this showed real character, and was orchestrated by two of my whipping boys. Out of nowhere Chupa chased down a ball, swivelled on a ha’penny, and put in a cross, met by a determined Parejita, the winner coming from fine work by Íñiguez, leading to an own goal. With this match we really felt the pressure of relegation lift.
Worst Game:-
Losing to worst team of the year Veracruz 2-1. I also missed first 15 mins, an error by Bernal, crowd trouble, Victorino looking lively; the only high point being consecutive nights spent on a night-bus
Best Performance:-
Don’t really remember too many outstanding performances, obviously Scocco v Queretaro springs to mind, as does Gonzalez coming on v Cruz Azul. RoRo had a great game v Chivas, and Veron a few, v Atlas and America were right up there. However, this award goes to Pikolin for his awesome showing in all areas at home against Jaguares.
Best Moment:-
Probably the winner against Santos. Actually I think I will say Ailton’s goal against Tigres, it seemed we were going through at the time.
Turning Point Of Season:-
Without a shadow of a doubt, it was Palencia’s “wonder-goal” against Toluca. Somehow Tuca (and Hugo Sanchez) convinced themselves that it was not a miscontrol, but outrageous skill. After Mexico’s scoring problems against the US it got him a recall, and assured his position in Pumas starting line up, condemning us to a negative, drawing season.
Best Goal:-
Sadly, this also has to be Juan Francisco Palencia v Toluca.
Player Of The Season:-
Once again Veron came high, but the player who consistently showed skill and determination, I felt, was Jose Luis Parejita Lopez. I think he stood out this season.

Ratings:-
Sorry, these do not include the Tecos game, as no one could be bothered to give me them. Rating, player, games played, goals, MOM awards:-

7.85 Parejita 13-2-4
7.80 Veron 15-1-3
7.33 Castro 15-2-3
7.13 Pikolin 16-0-1
7.13 Leandro 16-0-0
7.00 Moreno 2-0-0
6.94 Sancho 16-0-2
6.88 RoRo 8-0-1
6.88 Bernal 8-0-0
6.87 Velarde 15-0-0
6.83 Espinosa 6-0-0
6.75 Diego 4-0-0
6.73 Gonzalez 11-0-0
6.64 Scocco 14-4-1
6.64 Palencia 14-2-1
6.60 Ailton 5-2-0
6.33 Barrera 3-0-0
6.25 Chupa 8-2-0
6.21 Chiapas 14-0-0
6.00 Íñiguez 12-0-0
5.00 Solis 2-0-0

Across the two seasons (i.e. full 2006/2007 season) the winner was Veron with 7.52, if you are interested; I could post all figures for both season.

Pumas Morelos:-
Did well in getting to quarter-finals of the Clausura 2007, beaten 2-3 at home, and drawing 1-1 away against much fancied Puebla. In the final of the ascenso, to replace Queretaro in Primera, the first leg was Dorados 1 Puebla 1. Second half of this rather important tie is Saturday 26th May at 2pm.

Elsewhere in Mexico:-
Toluca borrowed Scocco and Palencia for Libertadores, Scocco scored one late on, but only after a nightmare of a match. In the liguilla America got past Chivas 1-0 and 1-0 to the final, and Pachuca beat Cruz Azul 3-1 away, but sensationally Cruz Azul were chucked out, as Carmona was banned for life for using Stanozol back in 2005. As Pachuca were 90% certain to go through, they were the only real losers, as Tricky points out, as they missed out on gate receipts of home leg. A life ban is over the top, and probably given to try and cover up some incompetence in other quarters on this case. The Mexican lads Osorio and Pardo helped Stuggart win their first Bundesliga for 15 years.

Next Up, for Pumas:-
It has been announced that both Chupa Lopez and Ariel Gonzalez are leaving the club. I feel sorry for Gonzalez, he gave heart and soul for Pumas: - when given the chance. We are really not in danger of relegation for 2007/2008 (baring a seriously disastrous Apertura), but we must make play-offs next term. If we don’t I think we will bid farewell to Tuca. Need Morales back, and another central midfielder, and maybe central defender. Without a shadow of a doubt Scocco needs a new striking partner. Despite his poor season, a) he is young and will come back, and b) he still scored.

Next Up for Blog:-
Well, I am off to El Salvador, and hopefully will see the games on TV there. Probably, however, I will be concentrating on a new blog for the team I will follow there, meanwhile, I am hoping that the mix of “in-the-stadium” and “on-TV” reporting will continue from John Kelly, and The Trickmeister. Thanks for listening.