A Perfect Weekend

By: Jeremy | December 7th, 2008

Say what you want about todays game in Palermo, but the win was one of many Serie A results that helped our team solidify its position in the standings. With relegation rivals Lecce, Torino, Chievo, and Siena all losing, and the two others, Bologna and Reggina drawing with each other, the matches could not have gone any better. While we did not improve our position in the table, we now sit even with Palermo on 20 points and with Chievo on 9, Bologna on 11, Torino and Reggina each with 12, and Lecce with 13, we are in as good a position as we can be, especially after losing our first five.

When a team is on form or on a streak of wins, results that they wouldnt otherwise get, seem to happen. Today was the perfect example. We are on form, and Palermo is inconsistent. With the match being at home, todays win was not unexpected, albeit a bit lucky. Palermo controlled the run of play and could not finish the few chances it got. Ill admit that Fini was offside and his goal in minute 34 should not have counted, but it was all we needed. Palermo until the last few minutes did nothing to create real scoring chances. How they didnt equalize in the final minutes is beyond me as they missed wide open chances that should have meant an easy goal.

Palermo goes back to Sicily with its tail between its legs. As Cellino so rightly pointed out, Palermo should not expect to beat us because we are only a provincial club. Cagliari is to Sardinia as Palermo is to Sicily. While the results over the years have shown Palermo to be better, Sicily is not any less provincial then Sardinia. But then again, if you ask most Italians, Sardinia should not even be a part of Italy. I was glad to see Cellino shoot the arrogant Palermo chief Zamparinis comments down, even if Cellino sees him as his idle in craaziness.

Palermo will no doubt see opportunity wasted, but both clubs now face similar decisions as we approach the winter transfer window. With safety not really an immediate concern, the question is will either of these crazy managers ante up and buy some players to take their teams up the table. We need another midfielder and possibly a defender, but if Cossu continues his fine play and Canini can get back, who out there can really make a difference that we will bid for.

In all honesty, we are mid table at best even if we are only three points from 6th place. Who are we going to pass? I dont see any of the clubs above us looking like they will drop down. Catania maybe? Udinese, who knows, but with Roma moving up fast and Sampdoria likely to be passing us soon, is it worth the investment in players at this point. Losing the first five makes it tough because our performance since that time, while a bit lucky, really has us in a postion where we should think upward. But reality says that expecting a top half of the table finish would be a bit of a reach but such result would make Allegri Serie A coach of the year.

Cellino needs to take this year and realize that while we do seem to have some talent, and it clearly has performed well, if he truly is serious about us talking about winning more then surviving, he is going to have to bring in some talent over the summer and not the winter. Either way, our mindset is still survival, but if these results keep coming, no matter how lucky they may be, it is our hope the boss steps up and brings in some players so we can really bring some late season excitement to Sardinia.

With four games left in the first half, it is still too early to make that decision what investment will be needed in the winter. We head to Roma next week where points of any kind would be shocking, then home to Reggina where we should take 3 points, the on the road to Inter for a loss, and then a home match against fading Udinese where just a few weeks ago, we would see this as a loss. With their poor form, we might be getting them at the right time. These results could put us back in the relegation mix or keep us right where we are, but for all these great results lately, there are too many teams above us to expect a push for a UEFA Cup spot.

Either way, the fact these possibilities are even a part of this post shows this team is doing something and the fans have to be pleased. This one certainly is. Great win against a pesky Palermo team and now lets head to Roma and thump them.