Perhaps driven by superstition, adversity often sparks a stronger resolve. Hércules, a club determined to reclaim its place in the first RFEF, faces a demanding path with nineteen league games still to play. The team must secure at least thirteen wins to reach the playoff phase, a goal that presses relentlessly as January—the club’s most pivotal month—continues to test its mettle.
Historically, since the blues and whites dropped into Segunda B, the Alicante side has struggled after the Christmas break. Post-match recovery, quick returns to training, and the psychological buzz created by the winter transfer window often disrupt the harmony within the squad and the community alike. The club’s plan mirrors a high-stakes chess game: every move in January carries consequences for the rest of the season.
With departures thinning the squad to make room for reinforcements, a cloud of suspicion can linger in the dressing room. It threatens to drag the team into a vicious cycle that becomes structurally damaging if not carefully managed. Hércules outlined a plan for four key movements during the transfer window, acknowledging that several names could leave and several issues could arise. The winter period intensifies every decision and every consequence echoes through the squad and the city.
None of the current blue-and-white players have publicly signaled a withdrawal from the club’s discipline. Everyone remains committed. Sandro Toscano and Lolo are among those who, after weeks of working with coach Escobar, believe the mid-field can be tightened and reshaped. Angel Rodríguez notes the potential to stabilize the midfield if the team can regain cohesion and rhythm.
The year begins on artificial turf, a surface that has proven particularly challenging for the Alicante squad.
The club’s plan centers on a core of a center-back, a winger, another winger, and a striker. This setup could include a second defender if the conditions are right, especially before traveling to Sagunto on Sunday (12:00 PM). This registration period marks a crucial moment as the club ensures all professional files are up to date with the company’s incorporation, aiming for a smooth squad rotation as the team navigates the winter schedule.
Yet the predictable hurdles extend beyond personnel. The predictable distribution of players in and out—and the resulting changes in the lineup—also adds pressure. Hércules returns to the competition on a new Morvedre Camp surface, a field marked by undersized dimensions and a rubbery, worn feel that makes ball control difficult for players who are not highly attuned to its peculiarities and who rely on long balls to stretch play.
This campaign unfolds on synthetic turf. The Alicante side earned a win at El Prat but dropped points at Terrassa and Formentera.
So far this season, the team has faced three artificial pitches laid atop rubber, and the results have been uneven. The coaching staff promised an entertaining style in the preseason, but early results tempered that expectation. Hércules began with a 0-2 setback in the opening month, yet stubbornly found form as the days passed, defeating Formentera (2-1) and then Terrassa (3-1). Each result carried a different mood, with early optimism giving way to a more grounded reality as the league progressed. This mix of outcomes has reinforced the belief that adaptability on varied surfaces remains a decisive factor for the season ahead.
In January 2022 Hércules failed in three duels, but the month also brought several notable performances: a victory over Marchamalo, a draw with Granada B, and a loss to Intercity at Rico Pérez. This pattern—strong periods followed by stumbles—has pushed the squad to refine its approach under pressure.
Typically equipped with players who excel on natural ground, Hércules has faced challenges on firm, tight artificial pitches. The club values quick touches, angled passes, and space creation, but the rubberized surfaces and restricted dimensions test those facets of the game. The plan ahead includes four matches before the transfer window closes. After opening 2023 in Valencia’s territory, Escobar’s team will host Ibiza Islas Pitusas, followed by Mallorca B, and then travel to confront Badalona Futur, coached by Toni Freixa. The Alicante club needs to collect points from these fixtures while meeting at least one home obligation and maintaining high performance at Rico Pérez.
The blue-and-whites must string together results in consecutive showdowns with Ibiza Islas Pitiusas and Mallorca B at home.
Beyond that, a trip to Barcelona awaits, with a clash against Badalona Futur. The target is clear: accumulate points in four remaining fixtures, ensuring the home stadium remains a fortress and safeguarding one of the two home commitments. Last season’s memory lingers—Hércules defeated Marchamalo in a string of victories, but also faced a tough home clash against Intercity and lost a pivotal derby, underscoring how fragile momentum can be in this league. (Source: Hércules News)