Valencia vs Granada preview - Goncalves - Goals will come

Posted Saturday, October 01, 2011 by PA

Valencia attacker Jonas Goncalves is not worried about his lack of goals this season and believes he and his fellow forwards will soon start easing the scoring burden on Roberto Soldado.

Soldado has enjoyed a fine start to the campaign, netting six times in seven La Liga and Champions League matches, but aside from him Valencia's only other goals have come from winger Pablo Hernandez, defender Adil Rami and an own goal from Barcelona defender Eric Abidal.

Jonas was a regular scorer during his time with Gremio but has yet to get off the mark this season, although the Brazil international is not letting it get to him.

"I'm not worried because we are just starting out, and I think that at any time we can score goals. We're working very hard to have more fortune in games," he said.

"I'm sure that us other attackers will score a lot of goals to help the team pick up victories.

"In Brazil I scored a lot of goals although here I'm playing in a different position. I need to adapt to the new system and I'm talking daily with (Valencia coach Unai) Emery to do that quickly.

"I need to score more goals, that's important. I'm struggling to get that first goal but I think when it does go in, more will follow."

Valencia started their league campaign with three successive wins but since then they have taken just the one point from matches against Barcelona and Sevilla.

That has left Los Che in seventh place in the standings, two points behind leaders Real Betis.

Granada are battling at the other end of the table following their promotion this summer, and they currently find themselves in the bottom four with four points to their credit.

Despite beating Villarreal at home earlier this month, Granada are clear underdogs heading into the match at the Mestalla but, with Valencia having been in Champions League action against Chelsea in midweek, centre-back Diego Mainz is hoping his side can cause another upset.

"When you play in the Champions League your mind is focused on that," he said.

"They have had less days to recover and less time to prepare for the game. We have spent all week thinking about Saturday and Valencia have only had two days.

"It's something to take into account and it could be important for us. (However), we cannot forget that we are against one of the best teams in the league and who are very strong at home."