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By: Jeremy | October 7th, 2009

CagliariFoggia

After Sundays disappointing loss at home to Chievo, Cagliari has a week off to ponder what might have been but also to reflect and correct problems that exist and must be fixed.

Coming into the home game against Chievo, Cagliari had just won two games on the road in semi impressive fashion. Wins on the road in Serie A, no matter who the opponent, are hard to come by and can be great motivators for future games. But when you crap out at home and play what seems like uninspired football, there will be criticism and most fans, including myself, are left wondering what kind of team we have this year.

After Matri scored on a nice header on a cross from Biondini to go up 1-0, the team really should have closed the game out but its offense is not in sync and no matter how good Matris header looked, it was really a lucky finish. Instead Chievo immediately tied the game through Marcolini from long distance. He should not have been so open and Marchetti probably should have been able to tip it away from goal. Later in the second half, Marcolini finished a hard shot and again made Marchetti look like he has taken a step back after last years great season.

Cagliari now sits on 7 points and is in the mix for relegation with the other expected candidates. While Chievo is a bit of a surprise, the lower level teams are showing themselves. While we have bettered last years start and sit just above the relegation group, road wins are not likely to continue and something has to be done to win games at home to similarly situated teams.

Allegri has not said much this year and I am not sure if he is totally confident in his team. However, the talent is there and some tweaking needs to be done to get the team to perform better. I still dont understand the lack of Nene in the lineup week in and week out.

There is no question that this years team has more talent and depth then last years surprise team, but if Acquafresca is not replaced, and to date has not been, Cagliari will fight for relegation to the end despite the occasional great play they might show in a match.

Its really the same old story and I know I am always repeating myself with my comments, but why is Nene not on the field from the beginning. I dont see how we can determine he is not a Serie A level striker until he gets to play some full matches. He has not shown anything one way or the other as to how valuable he will be to this team. Based on the current set up, until his talent is asessed in regular full matches, this team will struggle offensively and if Marchetti has taken a step back, this will cause our point level to drop.

If Allegri is not going to allow Nene into the lineup, he needs to find a way to get all the talented midfielders some action. The strength of the team will get even stronger as Croatian signing Brkljaca will likely see some action against Catania. Allegri is in a tough spot. With Conte, Dessena, and Cossu guaranteed spots in midfield he has one spot left and a lot of guys who want the time. Biondini was not happy at being pulled in the 58th minute and while his talent does not excite you, his work rate is key. Lazzarri is a good player and Barone didnt come from Torino to sit on the bench. Add Brkljaca and Sivakov who all want time, and Allegri is in a tough spot.

Either way, something is not right. The team should be in a slightly better position then they are. They really should have atleast another three points, but those road wins were also unexpected so it is too early to tell where the team will end up.

The next game on the road to Catania is again another big match and a relegation six pointer. It is the last of a four match run, that while the results have not been what an outsider would have expected, we have 6 points from those three matches and I felt we needed 7-9 points from those games to get back on track. A draw on the road would be the goal but as bad as Catania is, we have to think we might get a win which likely puts us near mid table.

Cagliari is one of the more interesting teams in Serie A this year. We can finish all over the place and the talent level is real if not a little unproven. We have a real likelihood of improving as the year goes on so the start to the season is not bad, but with home loses to Chievo and Siena, the team has to be feelind disappointed at their place in the standings. Its a sign of a long year and continued frustration for fans.