Mid-Season Update 2012/13
Apologies for the length of this update, im still recovering from my broken hand, i recently downgraded from a cast to a type of brace/splint thing, and its quite difficult to type with.
La Cultu are struggling in the goalscoring department without the class of Macheda this year, but pleasingly my defence has been tight when it matters. We currently sit 6th in the table, nicely poised to mount an assualt on the promotion spots. Unfortunately our fierce rivals Valladolid are running away with it, followed closely by surprise packages Xerez who were tipped as mid table nobodies. Osasuna (who were my tip for the title) round off the top 3, closely followed by the chasing pack of Malaga, Las Palmas, La Cultu and Albecete. Early season favourites Levante and Recreativo are struggling, both are well off the pace and have sacked their managers, i was offered both jobs but politley declined, despite Levante offering me a 4million pound budget. Money cant tempt me, im La Cultu 'til i die, although the board seem to be worried.
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Im pleased with our position at the moment, although we arent scoring bucket loads, we are grinding out results, this is how my smash and grab tactics are supposed to work, keep it tight and hit the opponents with a very quick, direct counter attack. Maybe the poor state of the pitch at the Reino De Leon has contributed to ugly football, which has favoured my style of play.
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Rocamora leads the goal charts, but unusually for the great man, he hasnt scored as many as usual, 13 goals is almost dissapointing! Alipio and Jimenez have shared the lone frontman role and both have impressed me, Jimenez continues to look as though he will dominate world football, and Alipios Real Madrid schooling is showing through. Pernia has contributed with some welcome goals, including his first from open play for the club. The arrival of Alex on loan in January gave me a headache, he scored on debut and has been mesmerising in the handful of games hes played for the club. But as the transfer window drew to a close, i realised i would need to drop one of my foreign players to include him in the squad. There can be a max of 2 non EU natioanls in a Liga Adelante squad, so Rodrigo or Brek Shea would have to make way. Rodrigo has been the best goalie ive had so far in my managerial career at La Cultu, so Shea would have to be dumped in the B team.
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My tactics, although unorthodox and pretty negative, finally seem to be working the way they should. Heres my best team, Soriano and Alex are better players on paper for the 2 central midfield spots, but at the moment the pace and defensive solidity of Salvadori and the flair and guile of Yeste are reaping rewards, reminding me of the early days when Seyfo Soley and Ivan Campo were bossing anyone and everyone back in 2B1.
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There was no activity in the transfer market, i had a few offers for my youngsters, including 500k from Sevilla for one of my u19 strikers; Juan Joes Paredes. He looks like he could develop into a good player, hes not in the same league as Jimenez, but worth keeping hold of nonetheless.
I'm hoping we can continue our good form and really push hard for a promotion spot. If we dont go up then surely offers will flood in for my top talent and i will have to rebuild my squad, i may not get a shot at promotion for another 2-3 seasons. Heres an update on Jimenez's progress and also a look at new wonderkid Alex, who im hoping to sign in the summer.
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So with big challenges ahead of us, including Valladolid at the Reino De Leon (which will be televised) i look forward to a strong push for the top 3 spots.
Viva La Cultu!
