Well, Valentine have map hack and infantry crush so... its not that bad. Its also slightly more durable(doesn't get engine crit from single faust).
It might be worse AT wise, but is much better vehicle in general.
AND IT HAS SMOKE! build it only for the smoke couple of times...
Have had couple of successes with AEC (don't like the skill gun bofors) in MM destroying axis medium tanks once even finished a panther with it and losing one aec in the process...
Tested it in custon game against friend and nearly killed panther with 2 of them... They have unexpectedly huge punch when they start to hit rear sides of tanks and smokes usually help with that.
Mostly i think people who know how to use them succesfully get people so badly offguard because everyone expects bofors.