Mallorca started off the season last weekend with a 1-0 win over Osasuna.
I couldn't watch the game, but it was apparently a very solid performance and a great way to start off the season. This means that, for the first time since ur relegation from Primera in 2013, Mallorca is in the top 6 positions of Segunda (aka, direct promotion or promotion playoff spots). It's crazy it took us that long.
But we can't get too hyped. Our budget is small, and our squad is pretty modest. The team's core (as well as the manager) will be the same one that stomped the third level last season... they did great last season, but Segunda is obviously much more demanding. Most players have little to no experience in this level, and will have to adapt. I'm confident they will though, as the team has a great atmosphere and they form a very solid block. Still, there might be some changes in this last week of transfer window. We are trying to sign a striker with experience in Segunda, as we currently have none, and that makes us fear we might not finish our chances. Over all, we shouldn't have much trouble avoiding relegation, but we probably won't finish above mid table either. The goal is to establish ourselves in Segunda again, and build from there in hopes of promoting to Primera in 4-5 years.
It's going to be a very competitive Segunda season. The 3 teams that relegated (Málaga, Las Palmas and Depor) are teams that are generally expected to be in Primera, and the first two of them have massive budgets. Cádiz, Granada and Oviedo also have solid amounts of money behind them. Osasuna, Sporting, Zaragoza and Tenerife are always expected to be in the fight for promotion, and this time shouldn't be any different. And teams like Alcorcón, Numancia, Nástic, Extremadura and Albacete have some pretty good looking squads on paper too, meaning they could surprise and fight for a place in the top 6. So I see little room for Mallorca up there this season... I think we're on a similar level to the teams of the last group I've listed... a step below from the other teams I've mentioned, and above the ones I haven't talked about (Majadahonda, Reus, Luego, etc, which should be the ones struggling to avoid relegation)... we'll see.