Don't forget the chip tune fanfare

What happens when you let the timer run out

So yeah, was it a good season? Wasn't pleasant, for sure. But were we bad? Eh, I think we expectations were getting the better of us. And all-in-all, given our obstacles, we did fairly well (just very painful).

Midori no Heart

But what I told you that this season was a successful season? Despite having half a team, we managed to survive the league and play another 2 years. And consider the teams that didn't make it, 3 of them. What went wrong there? Shonan and Verdy suffered the same issues, but one managed to hold on (6)

I think had the season gone as initially started, we would have been a mid team. However, we had a lot of bad luck. A quarter of the roster got injured, another quarter followed the money at other teams (such is the way when you don't match growth with salary). Thus, a lot of disappointment. (5)

Also, we have a lot of young talent, with very little experience with professional soccer let along J1. Yes, a lot of dumb rookie mistakes, but rookie nonetheless. Yet, despite these shortcomings, there has been a lot of growth and development.

So where are the big players? Can't afford them. (4)

Next, let's consider the motivation dynamic. Back in 2024, new J1 players were eager to prove and show that they belong in J1. This includes the young talent coming in from J2 and the benched loans coming in from J1. All of them wanted to show their guts, and they did. 2025, the goals changed. (3)

Let's be real, we are not a superstar team, nor do we really have that "oomph" to push forward. That's part a roster problem and part JFK playstyle. That's always been an issue these past years, and while I've seen some improvement, its still a problem. (2)

Cursed OK divide

For us plebs, as a journalist, got a recommended source?

Not enough tbh