Valencia vs Hercules CF Preview: Vigo revved up for road trip

Posted Sunday, February 06, 2011 by PA

Hercules coach Esteban Vigo believes a change of mindset rather than a change of tactics is what his side need to end their miserable away form.

The Alicante-based side make the relatively short trip up the east coast of Spain to regional rivals Valencia having picked just six points and three goals on their league travels this season.

Their sole away victory, which was that remarkable 2-0 win over Barcelona at the Nou Camp, came in the second round of fixtures and since then Hercules have recorded eight defeats and three draws in 11 league and cup matches on the road, with their last goal in the Primera Division coming 682 minutes ago.

Vigo said: "It's not a change of system we need, but of mentality.

"We need the same attitude as we have in Alicante. The problem away is psychological and we need to recover our lost confidence."

A victory at the Mestalla would be a timely boost for promoted Hercules, who have slipped to within four points of the relegation zone after losing four of their last five matches, but they will be up against a Valencia side who have been in good form of late.

Unai Emery's side would have matched a club-record six successive league victories if they had had beaten Racing Santander on Monday night and, although Los Che were held to 1-1 draw at El Sardinero, they are still flying high in fourth place.

When asked about Hercules' poor away form, Valencia defender David Navarro said: "That's not what I'm most concerned about. What concerns me is how we do and if we play as well as we know we can then it doesn't matter about the opponents."