Hercules aims to reach a decisive playoff point to earn another run at Rico Pérez. Currently, the focus isn’t on Teruel’s 14-point lead or on Hercules’ standing; there are just two games left before the end of the first round, against Atlético Saguntino and Ibiza, shaping a tense chase. The priority remains escaping the relegation area, with only one point needed to secure a promotion spot away from danger and two points separating them from the red zone near Lleida.
Hercules tallied ten more points than in the previous campaign by mid-season, at matchday 15, before the Christmas break. Back then, the team coached by Sergio Mora finished third in group V, with wins over Intercity and La Nucía. Looking at the standings, eight victories so far matched a solid early return, though it still lagged behind the blue and white benchmark. The coaching change once again became a talking point as the team endured tough moments on the field.
Together, a fragile situation for Lolo Escobar’s squad has left them eight points adrift of the top five entering the second round. To change this narrative, a nearly perfect run is required. A win against Deportivo Aragón and a draw with Alzira have offered a glimpse of light since the new coach arrived, bringing a surge of positive energy and a refreshed competitive edge. The team now shows a dynamic spirit that contrasts with earlier outings under Ángel Rodríguez.
The draw with Alzira came after a controversial moment when a legitimate Dani Marín strike was not allowed by the referee. That point stung and halted a climb up the table, leaving the side closer to the relegation zone that had marked parts of the season. The club has responded by delving into winter market activity, bringing in four or five solid players to lift the squad’s quality for the second half. The approach covers every facet of the pitch, from defense to attack and the wings, seeking a stronger balance across all fronts.
The squad returns to training on Monday to assess progress and prepare for the clash against Atlético Saguntino on 8 January, a crucial duel for teams with equal points. There is hope that most of the injured will recover in time, with Nico remaining a wait-and-see case.
“Angry, yes; but if we continue on this line we will add a lot of points,” remarked a team observer. The club’s front office is focused on resilience and clear improvement as they push toward the second round with renewed purpose.
Weak numbers in 2022
Hercules closed 2022 with a challenging performance, posting one of the lowest win rates in years. By season’s end, the club had claimed only 28.5 percent of its matches, a figure that underscored the club’s struggle to sustain a consistent run. The Alicante side finished the year in eleventh place, just two points above the relegation line, after playing a total of 35 official matches across competitions.
Despite the club’s storied budget and history, the year saw 10 wins, 14 draws and 11 defeats. The majority of wins came at home, with only a couple secured on the road. The opening weeks of 2022 began strongly, but momentum faded as the season progressed, reflecting deeper issues across the squad. The club’s performance at the close of 2021 contrasted with this trend, when a five-win streak had briefly signalled a more optimistic outlook.
Hercules’ 2022 results help explain the precarious position that forced promotion in May despite a midseason title challenge, and they also foreshadowed a challenging campaign in the new season where the team found themselves battling to stay clear of relegation. The season’s outcomes ultimately highlighted fragility alongside a persistent fight for survival in the division. [Citation: Club Hercules records, 2022 season overview]