Are we still in Serie A?

By: Jeremy | August 8th, 2008

I know the summer can be a slow time for a lot of smaller clubs as the transfer market heats up and the endless rumors of where players will be heading seems to be limited to the bigger clubs latest transfers, but this summer seems especially painful as I watch the bigger clubs get better, some of the newer arrivals into Serie A sign some players, while we lose most of what was a potent lineup that really made fans proud last spring without replacing them with even the hope that comes with new blood.

Rather then just babble on and complain(more so then I normally do) in regular posts, I was waiting for some news about the transfer in of a big player whether it is via loan or purchase who would make a noteworthy difference. This hasnt come and while I like Michelle Canini as much as the next Cagliari fan, I didnt want my follow up post about his staying to be about Joe Bizera or someone else whose full rights we managed to secure making the splinters on our bench that must more excited for the new season.

This is a very painful time and I am really ready for the season to see if the players we still have will be better or if the mid table and bottom clubs that seem to be a little more active then we have been have actually brought in players to replace what they have lost and who will actually make a difference. As offseasons go, the only way its worse for us is if we dont bring Acquafresca back. Now keeping him for another season is certainly a huge coup, but he is too young to carry this club to safety alone. With the loss of a key midfielder in Foggia, and an even bigger loss in goal in Storari, we need replacements if we are going to survive another season in Serie A. Surely ownership knows that and the only sounds I hear are crickets and the velcro closing on Cellinos wallet. Add to the mix a new coach from a lower level and we are not off to a good start.

With the transfer window winding down, there is still time for us to get a nice player or two on loan from a bigger club, but every day that passes makes this unlikely. I keep hoping to post some news of a transfer or loaned player that will make us better. While I dont expect Adriano or Suazo to come hang out in Sardinia for the season, there are some players on the big clubs who will languish on their bench when they could easily get first team football in Cagliari and increase their value for the clubs that own them. I would think Cagliari would be the perfect place for these players as we are not a threat in the standings to the clubs that could loan us players that could keep us safe.

So why has there been so little action after the initial wave of ins and outs early in the summer? I have heard very little about Cellinos role in the club. I know he mentioned in the Spring he would be resigning and selling the club this summer. Did I miss that? Who took over? I try to keep up, but if I missed it, I apologize. If he has not sold the club or resigned as President, surely he understands he has a duty to keep his eyes and wallets open for new players, especially after letting so much go. I know he made the decision recently not to purchase Foggia, so is he still in charge? Is he back at home in Miami getting ready for college football? Someone has to be running the team and it has been to quiet for too long. With last years adventure, you would think he would do more to get players considering the reprieve we got in so many ways.

Being active in the transfer market for the sake of being active is not necessarily smart, but it seems like we have gone silent while our fans watch the team get beaten in pre season by various Portuguese teams. The preseason has shown that we are looking at another anemic offense. While Acquafresca is the key and he has been around sparingly, any casual fan can see that another season of Matri and Larrivey alternating in the I cant finish striker position is not going to work. They were new last year and we continued to hope for their success. Now we know they suck and to pray for a Larrivey turnaround to be the reason why succeed is not the way you want to go.

Ultimately I need to see how the new clubs adapt to Serie A as atleast one of them will be left behind in the standings because the talent is not there.

If we are still in Serie A, I hope ownership takes these next couple of weeks and brings in some players who clearly wont be playing for their clubs. If we do not, the question “Are we still in Serie A”, is going to answered with an affirmative no in about 9 months.