Ryan endured a difficult first 12 months with Los Che, with injury, managerial changes and poor results on the field to contend with after arriving from Club Brugge.

Pako Ayestaran has been installed permanently as Valencia’s manager after the departure of Gary Neville in March.



“All in all the first year I look back on as more an adaptive year, and definitely feeling more ready I guess you can say for this year, better prepared, more accustomed to the league and lifestyle,” Ryan told FourFourTwo.



“Expectations weren't met last year but like life you have good and bad times and all clubs go through these stages at times. Now we just have to focus on the present and future in a positive way and hopefully we can take the club back to where they belong.”



Ryan is duelling it out with Brazilian Diego Alves and Spaniard Jaume Domenech for Valencia’s starting goalkeeping position.

Los Che’s La Liga campaign kicks off on August 20 away at Granada.



The Australian has been out to impress Ayestaran, who has previously served as an assistant at Liverpool, Osasuna, Tenerife and Al-Ahli.



“So far [so] good, making plenty of progress and getting adjusted to our coach’s style,” he said.



“We are working hard and getting a better understanding of how he wants us to play. He's thorough in his methods, giving the squad confidence in order to try get the best out of his players with the way he wants us to play.”



Valencia finished 12th last season and were criticised throughout the controversial campaign under Neville.

Ryan admits it is hard to put his finger on what went wrong under the former Manchester United and England defence, who was in his first club managerial role.



“It’s always difficult to say in situations like that, but I guess it just wasn't meant to be,” the 24-year old admitted.



“It's not easy for a coach to come in mid-season and get his ideas across, and in addition in his case, a foreign country where he didn't speak the language.”