Jaén's great expectations

Real Jaén CF has a reason to smile again. After a difficult start to the season upon its return to the Liga Adelante, the Andalusian team seems to have come through the tough learning curve in the new division with flying colours.

The team managed by Manuel Herrero has now strung together four consecutive matches without losing. Its last defeat came on the 28th of September against Sabadell FC, and since then it has collected ten of a possible twelve points with three victories and one draw. The figures make it the best team in October on a par with RC Recreativo de Huelva, the Liga Adelante's lone leader.

The last victory against Hércules CF tasted particularly sweet. Despite the fact that Jaén was the first team to get any points from the Estadio El Molinón, ending Real Sporting de Gijón's run of four consecutive home wins, the 0-1 in the Estadio José Rico Pérez was its first away win since the 21st of April 2013 (0-1 against La Roda CF). And, more significantly, the three points helped the Andalusian side escape the relegation zone on its way to sixteenth position.

Getting back on track away from home has meant a step forward for Jaén, as until then the Nuevo Estadio de la Victoria had been the team's fortress for keeping the side moving forward. There, in their comfort zone, Manuel Herrero's men have not known defeat since the first day of the Liga Adelante, when they lost 1-2 to SD Eibar.

One of the main architects of Jaén's current momentum is, without doubt, Jonathan Mejía 'Jona'. The striker has been the team's star recently and one of the surprise packages of the Liga Adelante with seven goals, all of them critical for the Andalusian outfit to escape the bottom of the table. Born in Málaga to a father from Honduras, the forward dreams of staying in the division with his team and playing in the 2014 FIFA World Cup with Honduras. With his goals, and everything that goes along with them, Jaén's predator is starting to make a name for himself in the Liga Adelante.