Four friendlies have passed without any forwards finding the net, and Hercules remains a blue-and-white classic even in the pre-season. Paco Peña leaves a lasting imprint, turning the number 9 into a symbol that should be trusted rather than wasted, especially given the emphasis on a promotion push. The technical secretary will need to dedicate all necessary time, while the club must fund the needed moves and balance cautious ambition with steady progress year after year.
In search of the missing “killer”
Target costs money and it is essential to pay for the right assets. The club cannot endure another long disappointment. The squad yearns for two proven strike options so that Jean Paul’s potential path to the first team does not become a bottleneck. The French contingent presents a challenge, and while perseverance matters, it may not suffice to satisfy Hercules’ demands or deliver results. The team needs goals, experienced finishers, and offensive value, and Jean Paul does not appear to be the immediate answer for the blue-and-white crew. Fan affection alone cannot compensate for a player who rose from the reserves when results are the only currency in Hercules. Either two strikers are signed or trouble looms. In the most recent pre-season, Hercules has scored twice in four games, with Juanmi and the young Guti contributing, while defenses have yielded one penalties goal. The next two litmus tests against Cartagena B and Atlético Baleares will reveal the current state of the squad.
Hercules fans, loyal to the club, worry about the lack of frontline strength that has marked recent campaigns. The numbers reflect a goal-scoring drought, even as the team struggles to control possession and to develop a vertical, fast-paced style. The inability to convert chances remains the Achilles heel of the pre-season, underscoring the need for greater effectiveness in front of goal.
Hercules continues without gunpowder (1-0)
Besides the struggle to finish, Rubén Torrecilla’s side shows solid football. The coach calls for vertical play, speed, decisive arrivals, defensive soundness, and the right attitude, demands that were evident in the early friendly run. Players such as Juanmi, Ketu, De la Nava, and Samu Vázquez stood out in their minutes, and their work ethic has earned recognition. A touch of luck has accompanied some good breaks, but that is a foundation worth building on. The squad’s mix of youth and experience, combined with hard work in these early preparation weeks, stands as a bright point, and it signals the potential trusted by the manager when the Rico Pérez arena heats up with scrutiny. The message is clear: the team is hungry, and the coach speaks without hesitation about the expectations and the consequences if missteps occur.
improvement in defense
Defensive solidity has shown a notable improvement from last season. Djaló and Leiva have absorbed the lessons, while quality additions like Josema, Juanmi, and Nolan have strengthened the backline, complemented by Sergi Molina’s renewed contract. The most standout defender is the one who returns from a lengthy layoff, demonstrating resilience and readiness to help anchor the defense.
More than 2,000 season-ticket holders are already lining up, with sales underway at the Rico Pérez stadium. Despite the inevitable ups and downs each year, Blue and White supporters remain fired up. Three weeks remain before the opener against Espanyol B, a period during which Hercules must secure one or two forwards to prove the squad can compete at the necessary level.
There is a clear drive to improve across the club by learning from past mistakes. Focusing on a solid infrastructure in the long term, the club has strengthened its youth development, appointing a technical secretary and naming Dani Barroso as director of the academy. An agreement with Acatec aims to reinforce football development among young players. The remaining task is translating decisions into results. Communication has also been ramped up through social media and daily activities, vital for maintaining the blue-and-white identity in an era of rapid information flow.
Three weeks remain before the season begins, and Torrecilla feels the team is stepping onto the field with confidence. He knows the squad well and emphasizes the importance of attacking and winning. His approach is serious and practical, recognizing the demands of coaching a squad that must perform at a high level in a demanding environment. The absence of a standout veteran like Lolo Escobar is noted, but the current setup already exudes a sense of purpose.
Positive impressions after the first four tests against Alcoyano, Santa Pola, Águilas, and the AFE team persist, yet the looming lack of a guaranteed striker or two remains a risk. Without clear backup options, the familiar barrier could reappear, and that would be a misstep Hercules cannot afford.