The sparkle returns to Anduva

These are good times for CD Mirandés. The team coached by Carlos Terrazas, chosen as the Liga Adelante's manager of the month for December by the LFP.es editorial team, are on a run of nine games without defeat that has seen them concede only three goals, and are now on the brink of the promotion play-off places.

The side from Miranda de Ebro sit seventh (level on points with SD Ponferradina in sixth) and, after going through a difficult couple of months in September and October (suffering seven defeats), their record during the final stages of 2014 and the beginning of 2015 has been immaculate. A key factor has been the Estadio Municipal de Anduva, which has become a fortress. Indeed, they have not lost at home since 20 September, when they were beaten 0-2 by R. Sporting. And results on the road have been every bit as good, with three victories in their last three away trips.

Due particular mention are individuals such as captain César Caneda, who has featured on each of the 20 matchdays played in the Liga Adelante and, despite being a defender, has chipped in with three goals. Of greater prominence in the scoring duties has been Urko Vera, the team's chief attacking focal point. The Barakaldo-born striker has now hit the net nine times, with four of his goals coming on the last five matchdays (which have yielded four wins and a draw with Real Zaragoza).

No less important has been the stability in midfield brought by Rúper, Igor Martínez, Jordi Pablo or Fran Carnicer, while there can be no doubt that Ghanaian goalkeeper Razak Brimah is providing the kind of security between the sticks necessary to build a team in with a shout of success (just 0.64 goals conceded per game).

"We have to keep on plugging away and working hard, showing enthusiasm and desire", Carlos Terrazas

 

What's more, the contribution off the bench of players like Asier Barahona, Pedro Martín or Juanjo is giving Terrazas's men something extra in the final minutes of the match. Indeed, their goals from the 85th minute onwards have sealed important triumphs at Huelva and at home against UE Llagostera.

"In this division, winning three games in a row is really difficult. It's very even. As soon as you go on a good run, you tend to relax. That's a mistake that we can’t afford to make," said right-back Aitor Fernández after the victory over Llagostera on the most recent matchday. It's an opinion that his boss shares.

"We have 31 points. In 20 matchdays, we've accrued more than 50% of the points available and that's a very good percentage. But the position we're in in the table isn't important. That will only be the case come the end of March, come spring. Obviously, in those months what matters is the position you finish in. It's nine games without losing, 21 points from a possible 27. But we have to keep on plugging away and working hard, showing enthusiasm and desire," declared Terrazas on Mirandés's excellent sequence of results in recent weeks.

In their upcoming encounters, the rojillos will look to make a definitive assault on the promotion play-off spots in two demanding away games against RCD Mallorca and CD Lugo.