Mathematics brings numbers and trends, but feelings rarely follow the same path. The overall snapshot shines with a hopeful hue, yet the granular detail reveals a future that could stagnate in the Second RFEF unless a dramatic shift occurs. Lolo Escobar is the third coach to accumulate the most points in the last 17 days, with exactly 28. Only the leaders Teruel with 35 and Peña Deportiva with 30 have built stronger runs recently.
That snapshot sits inside a larger moment that includes a broader reality. For Hercules, the decision to change the bench brought a necessary spark. The initial surge of enthusiasm, mixed with a helpful streak of luck that accompanies a coaching shift, helped the blue and whites regain footing. Angel Rodriguez oversaw a run of five wins and two draws. The team conceded only four goals in missed opportunities, two against Mallorca B who were relegated and two against Alzira who were fighting to stay safe.
28 POINTS
That is the tally since the new coach took charge.
► Only Teruel and Peña Deportiva outpaced this 17 game stretch.
Painful moments, clutch saves by Carlos Abad, and dramatic late comebacks defined the recent matches. Each encounter added a streak of epic drama, yet the broader assessment of the team’s true level sometimes faded from memory. As is common, reality check happens when the group tests itself against the toughest rivals and refines its approach.
The balance across these days looked grim. A cycle of defeats and difficult results against the very opponents who stereotypically challenge Hercules could have become a self-fulfilling prophecy unless Roger Riera delivered decisive moments. The team earned 11 points in the last ten days and posted a record of five losses across several fixtures. They defeated Lleida, Formentera, and Ebro by narrow margins, but the overall sense remained that performance lacked consistent momentum. In this phase, the statistics stood at 5 goals for and 10 against.
It is hard to win when Roger Riera is not on the field. ► Hercules has lost every match in which Riera did not participate this season. Three defeats and three draws were recorded with him unavailable. The opening day also ended without a win, a draw against the Mallorca subsidiary leaving the team in a neutral position. Every match that he missed due to suspension resulted in a 2-0 defeat, and without the key Barça squad member, Lolo Escobar’s group failed to score against Teruel, Olot at Rico Pérez, or Peña Deportiva in Santa Eulalia. As the season progressed, as many as eight different defensive pairings were used, the latest being Mario Gómez and Felipe Chacartegui, who have swapped roles along the way. Riera also stands as the second top scorer with five goals.
Hercules does not control its own fate, which has been a recurring challenge for the club. The blue and whites must rack up four points more than Manresa in the four remaining matchdays to secure league safety. The overall trend line suggests an average around eleven points still needed, a mark that has become a benchmark in this tightly packed division. Saguntino Athletic, who visited Rico Pérez on the penultimate day, managed to push Terrassa down on goal average, illustrating how tight the margins are at this stage of the campaign.
Three Wins and a Draw to Close the First Round Signaling Escobar’s Plan
Escobar’s path toward a playoff spot seemed closed after an overreach against Olot, yet the coach added three more points than in the same phase of the first round. It is a tall order, and the team did collect three wins against Zaragoza B, Saguntino, and CD Ibiza, accompanied by a draw with Alzira. Winning all four remaining classification games was not guaranteed, so losing any could feel like a de facto elimination moment in a sport where every result carries weight.