La Leyenda Roja - Real Oviedo

Feliks: I know right things are going great! They truly were a great La Liga club in the past. Hierro will bring those days back!
Neal: Do I owe you some copyright money?

Manolo, brother of Real Oviedo manager Fernando Hierro has joined Segunda Division B1's last placed team on a one year deal.

Marino sit bottom with only one win after 14 games and are 4 points adrift of safety with the worst goal difference in the division.

The Hierro brothers will be checking their calendars to see when they will come face to face with each other this season; but they have plenty of time to arrange tickets for the family as the match between Fernando's Oviedo and Manolo's Marino will take place at the Nuevo Carlos Tartiere on March 1st 2014.

Born in Vélez-Málaga, Andalusia, Manolo Hierro started playing professionally with local CD Málaga, but only appeared in 20 games for the first team in his first three seasons combined, also suffering La Liga relegation in the last one. After one more year in Segunda División, he signed with Real Valladolid in the top level.

After helping the Castile and León outfit finish eighth in his second season, with one of the best defensive records in the competition (38 matches, 34 goals), Hierro signed with FC Barcelona, but only lasted a few months in Catalonia, moving to Real Betis on loan. Suffering top flight relegation with the Verdiblancos he subsequently joined CD Tenerife – also in the top division and on loan – and retired from football at only 30, having amassed professional totals of 206 games and 11 goals.

Hierro's reign will begin with Marino hosting 16th placed Noja this Sunday at 7pm.

Real Oviedo drop points for the first time this season after away draw at Tropezon.

A brace from Cervero helps Oviedo hammer La Liga side Real Betis 6-1 in the Copa Del Rey.

Oviedo maintain unbeaten record and sit 15 points clear of 2nd placed Coruxo.

Results

REAL OVIEDO 3-0 NOJA (SDB1)
Vicente (16)
Cervero (pen, 55)
Novo (90+1)

REAL OVIEDO 1-1 REAL BETIS (Copa Del Rey 4th Round 1st Leg)
Annunziata (73)

AVILES 0-1 REAL OVIEDO (SDB1)
Annunziata (79)

REAL BETIS 1-5 REAL OVIEDO (Copa Del Rey 4th Round 2nd Leg)
Angel (4, 59)
Pablo (54)
Cervero (55, 84)

TROPEZON 0-0 REAL OVIEDO (SDB1)

Segunda Division B1 Table

Player Of The Month - Diego Cervero

Oviedo legend and captain Diego Cervero claims the player of the month award this time around with some spectacular performances in the league and cup.

The 30 year old was crucial as Oviedo beat La Liga side Real Betis in the Copa Del Rey with Cervero scoring two world class goals to put the gloss on a historical result for Los Carbayones.

With 12 goals to his name so far this season, many believe that should he continue his form that he could beat the all-time club record of 119 goals held by Carlos Munoz - who is currently a coach with the side.

The Manager's View

'We continue to press on all fronts as we push for promotion and national recognition. The 6-1 aggregate victory over Real Betis was a very proud moment for me and i'm sure for the players, fans and everyone involved in Real Oviedo S.A.D. We now look forward to the Last 16 draw where we could meet Real Madrid or Barcelona and really test ourselves against the best.'

'We finally dropped points against a stubborn Tropezon side who gave us a real fight. At the end of the day it is not a defeat and that is the positive that I take from the result. We now need to get our heads back up and win our next game so that we can start the cycle of a winning mentality up again.'

'Thank you to all of the fans for their support, you were crucial in our amazing victory over Betis and I know that whoever we draw in the next round you will be there in full fighting voice once again.'

'I hope you all have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.'


Fernando Ruiz Hierro - Real Oviedo S.A.D.

The amazing results continue, you're absolutely dominating the league! Just so you know, there is a playoff process that includes the 4 league winners (semifinal, final, both teams in the final get into the Liga Adelante). If you lose in the semifinal, you drop into the other promotion playoff bracket, and if you lose there, you're out. In other words, you could win your league but not get promoted, so the work's not even remotely done yet

2014-09-02 01:25#192823 Neal : The amazing results continue, you're absolutely dominating the league! Just so you know, there is a playoff process that includes the 4 league winners (semifinal, final, both teams in the final get into the Liga Adelante). If you lose in the semifinal, you drop into the other promotion playoff bracket, and if you lose there, you're out. In other words, you could win your league but not get promoted, so the work's not even remotely done yet

Neal: Thanks mate! Yeah I know about the horrendous playoff system. Wouldn't surprise me if I went unbeaten and then lost in the playoffs! Haha! Don't worry, I feel suitably prepared

Amazing writing so far, I'll be keeping an eye on this

You are giving Neal a run for his money as an unbeaten manager.....Awesome!

You're killing it mate! Well done Love your updates!

Justice: Thank you buddy I appreciate it! It's only going to get better!
MS99: Haha thank you mate! I don't know about that I think Bergomi's Inter might chew us up and spit us out! Give me a few years though
Aaron: Thank you bro! Really glad you're enjoying it!

Real Oviedo stretch lead at the summit to 21 points.

Coruxo drop to 3rd place but have a game in hand over now 2nd Racing Santander.

Xavier Annunziata substituted against Ferrol as a precaution after taking a heavy fall.

Los Carbayones eliminated from Copa Del Rey on away goals by Liga BBVA side Elche.

Elche will now meet Atletico Madrid in the Copa Del Rey Quarter Finals.

Results

CORUXO 0-2 REAL OVIEDO (SDB1)
Lopez (13, 60)

REAL OVIEDO 2-2 ELCHE (Copa Del Rey 5th Round 1st Leg)
Annunziata (8)
Cervero (26)

CULTURAL LEONESA 1-2 REAL OVIEDO (SDB1)
Lopez (23)
Vicente (69)

ELCHE 0-0 REAL OVIEDO (Copa Del Rey 5th Round 2nd Leg)
Elche win on away goals

REAL OVIEDO 5-3 ZAMORA (SDB1)
Cervero (9, 44, 81)
Orlandi (31)
Pablo (66)

REAL OVIEDO 3-0 FERROL (SDB1)
Annunziata (2)
Olaizola OG (25)
Novo (35)

Segunda Division B1 Table

Player Of The Month - Diego Cervero

Oviedo legend and captain Diego Cervero claimed the player of the month award for the second month in a row as he continued his fantastic goalscoring form.

The 30 year old was crucial as he hit a hat-trick to guide Oviedo past Zamora in a scintillating 5-3 battle. Cervero also scored the 2nd goal against La Liga side Elche but could not stop his side from being eliminated from the Copa Del Rey.

The Oviedo captain's four goals now takes his tally for this season to sixteen as he finds himself in third place behind Racing Santander's Mamadou Kone and Coruxo's Miguel Centron in the race for the Segunda Division Golden Boot.

The Manager's View

'Unfortunately my friends our Copa Del Rey journey for the season is over. We put on a fantastic display and made the people of Spain take notice.

We proved our quality with our emphatic victory over Betis and we pushed Elche all the way but just couldn't find that goal in the second leg that would take us to the Quarter Finals. Now the clubs of La Liga know that we will be coming for them all soon.'

'Our fantastic work in the Segunda Division B1 continues as we create an even bigger gap between ourselves and our rivals and I applaud the team for their hard work in the new year so far. It is very refreshing to see that we have started 2014 just as we finished 2013.'

'I hope you all had a Merry Christmas and a fantastic New Years.'


Fernando Ruiz Hierro - Real Oviedo S.A.D.

Arsenal have made a bid in the region of £3.8m for the 18 year old left-back.

Under 19 international Grimaldo only joined Oviedo six months ago from Barcelona.

Oviedo reluctant to let Grimaldo leave but MARCA report that a bid of £8m would be accepted.

Liga BBVA champions Atletico are also reportedly interested and monitoring the situation.

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is famed for investing in youth, and after spending big last summer on Alexis Sanchez, Danny Welbeck and Mathieu Debuchy, is looking to bring in 18 year old Alex Grimaldo.

Barcelona were reportedly furious that Alex Grimaldo was allowed to join Real Oviedo on a free transfer last July but due to him not signing professional terms with the Catalan giants, Oviedo were able to swoop in and bring in the then 17 year old prodigy.

Now, six months later Arsene Wenger has launched an attempt to bring the La Masia product to the Emirates after Grimaldo's impressive performances for Real Oviedo this season which has seen him score 3 goals and pick up 3 assists for his team.

The similarities between Grimaldo and Barcelona's current left-back Jordi Alba are startling as the two players share many of the same attributes and qualities. Both Spaniards are attacking wing-backs with blistering pace, dangerous crossing ability and of course the famous tiki-taka brand of Barcelona passing that is engrained into every La Masia graduate.

Grimaldo is currently on international duty with the Spanish U19 squad but was available to comment on the situation: 'I am aware of the bid but I know that my club and my manager really value you me. I only just joined from Barcelona and that was so I could be a regular starter which is something that wouldn't be guaranteed in London.'

The 18 year old also stated that he was happy for the bid to be rejected and wanted to continue his development with Oviedo, who currently sit 1st place in the Segunda Division B1: 'The manager rejected the bid and I have no problem with it. I am 18 years old and a move to England would be a big thing for me at my age. I have a great thing going for me at Oviedo and we are a growing club. Maybe one day in the future the situation will be different, but right now I couldn't be happier.'

With Wenger being famed for bringing in young talent to the club you can understand why The Gunners are desperate to strike a deal with Oviedo but it has been confirmed by MARCA that the £3.8m bid has been rejected by manager Fernando Hierro. The bid includes clauses that would mean should the player be re-sold, Oviedo would have the rights to 25% of the profit of the sale and a friendly between the two sides would be arranged with the Spanish minnows keeping 100% of the gate receipts.

However despite the potential of making a high profit on the player, it is believed Oviedo will not accept any bid under £8m with a guarantee of a high percentage of his next transfer fee; which it seems Arsenal are not willing to match.

Hopefully they leave him alone but I guess that if the fee is enough it's good to sell and make some cash

Wowowowowowow, doing soooo well in the league!!!!!

Don't let him go! I will find you if you sell him. He has been a key component. Don't do it!

Feliks: Every player has his price my friend! But I'll do everything to keep hold of him.
Walt: Yes the that league table is a beautiful thing buddy! Hopefully it can stay that way!
MS99: Do you have a particular set of skills? Haha don't worry, Fernando is doing everything he can to keep him!