Valencia not safe from relegation, says Terry Gibson

Valencia still have work to do if they are to avoid relegation from La Liga, says Terry Gibson.

Gary Neville's side, who currently sit in 12th, suffered a third successive defeat in all competitions following their 1-0 league defeat at city rivals Levante on Sunday.

Neville branded his side "unacceptable" and "indefensible" after Giuseppe Rossi's 65th-minute strike handed La Liga's bottom club all three points at the Estadi Ciutat de Valencia.

Valencia are now just seven points above the relegation zone with nine games remaining and Gibson thinks Neville's side still have plenty of work to do if they are to remain in the top-flight.

"Deportivo should be safe but they're not," Gibson told La Liga Weekly Podcast. "I think we'd also include Real Betis in that group and Betis are level on points with Valencia, so they've still got some work to do to make sure they're not dragged into a relegation fight.

"Granada and Getafe are on 27 points, seven points behind Valencia.

"It's been depressingly bad to watch a team we've enjoyed watching last season.

"Whether you are a Valencia supporter or not, there were thoughts they would be a real force, but it couldn't be further from the truth."

Despite Valencia's form, Neville, who has been an assistant to manager Roy Hodgson in the England set-up since 2012, revealed last week that he will be joining up with his national team in the upcoming international break.

But Gibson thinks Neville should stay with Valencia, who face Athletic Bilbao on Thursday in the Europa League last-16 looking to overturn a 1-0 deficit, and focus on turning the club's season around.

"I would be slightly concerned if I was a Valencia fan and Gary Neville made the decision to join up with England in the international break," Gibson said.

"I know it was agreed beforehand and it's in a contract, that's fine if Valencia were 10 points better off and Gary had won another three, four or five games then there wouldn't be an issue.

"With Valencia in the [position they are it's such a big game against Athletic Bilbao," he added.

"If they go out of that the season's done apart from making sure they don't get dragged into the relegation issue."