Can Li Weifeng withstand the consecutive defeats and mounting criticism?

Reported by Lu Mi On the evening of August 1, Ningbo suffered a 2-4 home defeat to Guangxi Hengchen, marking their second consecutive home loss after a 1-2 defeat to Guangzhou Leopards.

Since Li Weifeng took over Ningbo in the 5th round, he has led the team to an impressive 11-match unbeaten run, lifting them from last place to sixth. They collected 24 points in those 11 matches, just two points behind the promotion zone. This remarkable turnaround had fans dreaming of a promotion push, but the recent two home defeats have dampened that enthusiasm. Criticism of the team's performance has emerged, with some even questioning the coaching staff's player selections.

At the start of the season, Ningbo was in deep trouble: four consecutive losses plus a three-point deduction left them rock bottom. In their first season in Ningbo, relegation alarms were already sounding. In this crisis, Li Weifeng took over as the firefighter. He reshaped team discipline, refined the attack and defense systems, and prioritized strengthening the backline. The bold changes quickly paid off, sparking an 11-match unbeaten streak that propelled them to sixth place, just two points from the promotion zone. In just a few months, a team once tipped for relegation became the biggest dark horse of the first half of the China League One. This dramatic turnaround demonstrates the effectiveness of the coaching change and the team's immense potential.

The promotion race in the China League One is extremely tight. Guangzhou Leopards lead the pack with 37 points, while from second-placed Nantong Zhiyun (30 points) to sixth-placed Ningbo (24 points), there is only a gap of one or two matches. With 13 rounds remaining, aside from Guangzhou's relatively comfortable lead, the other promotion spot is still up for grabs. This is why Ningbo's strong comeback has given hope to a city that has never had a Chinese Super League team.

The consecutive points accumulation had boosted Ningbo's confidence and raised expectations, but the two home defeats clearly exposed the team's weaknesses. In the last two rounds, Ningbo faced league leaders Guangzhou Leopards and third-placed Guangxi Hengchen at home, losing 1-2 and 2-4 respectively. From the match processes and results, despite the players' full effort, Ningbo was always chasing the game, revealing a gap in overall strength. Issues included insufficient continuity in attack and defense, poor finishing, and midfield disorganization under high-intensity pressing.

This gap needs to be viewed rationally. In terms of positioning, the team just moved from Shanghai to Ningbo this year, and given their past status, Ningbo's goal this season is definitely to avoid relegation. With 27 points from 18 matches (excluding the deducted 3 points), survival should be achievable. Moreover, from the season's operational budget to the player roster, Ningbo was not built for promotion. Getting into the promotion-chasing group after 18 rounds is already an achievement. Losing to stronger teams is an objective reflection of their paper strength. Being sixth and seemingly close to the promotion line can breed impatience. When facing strong opponents at home, players carry the psychological burden of wanting to win but fearing to lose. Once falling behind, they may make technical mistakes and lose defensive concentration. This is an area the coaching staff needs to improve going forward.

After the consecutive home defeats, Ningbo's coaching staff immediately organized a team review and summary. The tough tests continue on the schedule. Ningbo will next face Wuxi Wugou, Shenzhen Junren, and Yanbian Longding, with the first two being away matches. When Li Weifeng took over, the team had already played against Wuxi and Shenzhen. All three opponents are formidable. The most critical task for Ningbo now is to adjust their mindset, let go of unrealistic promotion expectations, and re-establish their season positioning.

For any team in a long season, there are highs of consecutive wins and lows of winless streaks. Objectively, it is not surprising that Ningbo lost to league leaders Guangzhou Leopards and third-placed Guangxi Hengchen in succession.

The 11-match unbeaten run has already changed the outside world's perception of Ningbo as a perennial relegation struggler, which deserves recognition. The current two home defeats to strong teams are just a normal fluctuation in the league, and there is no need to be overly pessimistic. Ningbo's primary objective this season remains to secure survival. Recent matches should focus on integrating new signings. On the basis of ensuring safety, a down-to-earth pursuit of the best possible league ranking is the rational choice.