retired_amyslack

Now We Can Concentrate On The League

Sandy was glad that he no longer had what he saw as the distraction of the Serie C Cup to contend with and that he could focus on the league campaign. For the visit of Lucchese Sandy could at least welcome back Pomante and Tomasetti from injury enabling him to have his first choice back four out on the pitch. With Puccinelli still injured Merloni would play on the right wing and Castaldo would move up front.

Sandy’s Journal
Sunday October 3rd 2004
Serie C1/A Game 4
Fano 2 Lucchese 0
This was a very workmanlike performance by the team, firm at the back and always dangerous going forward. The triple substitution after an hour was a precaution, as all three players seemed to be carrying knocks. Castaldo looks much more comfortable up front than on the wing and set up Carelli’s goal in the second half. Paz has now scored in three consecutive games and it looks like he will be able to find the net at this level.

Team Selection
Orlandi (8), Tomasetti (7), Giangolini (8), Marinelli (8*), Pomante (7), Merloni (7), Magnani (7, sub 61), Carelli (7), Stefani (7, sub 61), Castaldo (7) Pazzi (7, sub 61),
Subs - Vitali (7), Ghidini (7), Pelliccia (7)

Goals
Pazzi 15, Carelli 66


For the trip to Monza, Puccinelli was fit enough to make the bench but would not be in the starting line-up. After four league games unbeaten, Fano were sitting in 3rd place in the table and Sandy was very pleased with the team’s start. But there was still a very long way to go and it was clear to the Scotsman that he needed to do some further squad strengthening in the winter transfer period if possible.


Sandy’s Journal
Sunday October 10th 2004
Serie C1/A Game 5
Monza 2 Fano 3
Having taken a two-goal lead it was a little disappointing to let it slip and get hauled back to all square but the home side probably deserved it on the balance of play. At that point I would have settled for the draw but Paz had other ideas, popping up in stoppage time to get all three points.

Team Selection
Orlandi (7), Tomasetti (7), Giangolini (5), Marinelli (7), Pomante (6, sub 58), Merloni (7), Magnani (6, sub 58), Carelli (7), Stefani (7), Castaldo (4, sub 58) Pazzi (10*),
Subs - Borioni (7), Colombaretti (7), Puccinelli (7)

Goals
Pazzi 16, 90, Carelli 29


With another weekend off for World Cup action Sandy was delighted to see both Italy and Scotland do well – the Scots thumping San Marino 6-0 and the Italians putting 5 past Slovakia without reply. For the visit of Lumezzane, Sandy was able to restore Puccinelli to the starting eleven and could field what he felt was his strongest possible team.

Sandy’s Journal
Sunday October 24th 2004
Serie C1/A Game 6
Fano 2 Lumezzane 0
Despite dominating the first half we were struggling to make a breakthrough until big Marco headed home in stoppage time. Merloni added the second from the penalty spot to make the game safe but in truth the visitors never really looked like scoring. Our only problem was an injury to Marinelli – bruised ribs will put him out for a week or so.

Team Selection
Orlandi (7), Tomasetti (7), Giangolini (7), Marinelli (6, sub 26), Pomante (8*), Puccinelli (7), Magnani (7), Carelli (7), Stefani (7), Merloni (7) Pazzi (7),
Subs - Borioni (7)

Goals
Pomante 45, Merloni 51


Sandy’s final game of the month would be a visit to newly promoted Cremonese and with no new injury problems he would be able to field an unchanged team.

Sandy’s Journal
Sunday October 31st 2004
Serie C1/A Game 7
Cremonese 2 Fano 1
We were totally outplayed in the first half, failing to mount a serious attack for the entire 45 minutes. Then just as we were starting to get into the game we conceded the opening goal. The home side went two goals ahead before we pulled on back but we were unable to find an equaliser and our unbeaten league record has gone.

Team Selection
Orlandi (8), Tomasetti (7), Giangolini (5), Marinelli (7), Pomante (7), Puccinelli (8), Magnani (5, sub 68), Carelli (7, sub 81), Stefani (7), Merloni (7) Pazzi (9*),
Subs - Colombaretti (7), Trufelli (6)

Goals
Pazzi 72

retired_amyslack

The Love Of Language

Sandy’s daily Italian lessons with Giacomo were beginning to pay off and he now felt comfortable enough to take charge of many of the training sessions himself and no longer relied on his Assistant Manager Dario to oversee all of the training. The sometimes-gruff Scotsman was developing a real fondness for the Italian way of life, the culture and traditions of the region and their undeniable love of football. Attendances at the Stadio Mancini had increased markedly since promotion and the people of Fano clearly relished their team gaining a degree of success and Sandy was keen to build on that support.

The next league game involved a trip to Pisa, the team just below Fano in the league and once again he could take an unchanged team on the trip.

Sandy’s Journal
Sunday November 7th 2004
Serie C1/A Game 8
Pisa 0 Fano 1
We rather rode our luck in this game to put last week’s defeat behind us. Despite losing two players to injury in the first 30 minutes we managed to keep our goal intact under severe pressure, thanks in no small measure to Orlandi. Pazzi’s 7th goal in 9 games gave us a win that we didn’t deserve on the balance of play but the boys worked hard for the three points.

Team Selection
Orlandi (9*), Tomasetti (6), Giangolini (7), Marinelli (8), Pomante (4, sub 81), Puccinelli (5, sub 8), Magnani (5, sub 30), Carelli (6), Stefani (7), Merloni (7) Pazzi (8),
Subs - Colombaretti (7), Vitali (7), Boriono (7)

Goals
Pazzi 64


Fortunately none of the injuries sustained in the last game were serious so Sandy was not forced into any changes for the visit of 11th place Cittadella.

Sandy’s Journal
Sunday November 14th 2004
Serie C1/A Game 9
Fano 4 Cittadella 0
This was as good as we have played all season and the visitors were played off the park. Pazzi took his chances extremely well and two late goals put a bit of a gloss on the final scoreline. One concern is the number of niggling injuries, especially to Puccinelli so maybe I need to have the physios give him a good look over.

Team Selection
Orlandi (7), Tomasetti (7), Giangolini (7), Marinelli (7), Pomante (7, sub 75), Puccinelli (8, sub 39), Magnani (9), Carelli (8), Stefani (8), Merloni (7) Pazzi (9*),
Subs - Colombaretti (8), Boriono (7)

Goals
Pazzi 10, 39, Colombaretti 86, Magnani 90


At Sandy’s request physio Leonardo Profili spent some time with Luca Puccinelli and when he reported back he concluded that the player was somewhat injury prone. He added that the 31-year-old did himself no favours with his relaxed approach to his general health and diet. Sandy resolved to speak with Luca to see if he could encourage him to take a more professional approach but he did not hold out much hope of success. The man was a bit of a “Giacomo the Lad” – a gifted player but not one to take anything too seriously. However Sandy recognised the positive effect that his experience had on the squad and he did work well with the younger players so he wouldn’t make it a major issue.

Luca was fit enough to stay in the starting line-up for the visit of Pavia, a team on the fringes of the playoff places.

Sandy’s Journal
Sunday November 21st 2004
Serie C1/A Game 10
Fano 1 Pavia 1
It took us over an hour to create our first scoring opportunity and I have to say that Paz took it expertly. So much for my initial impression that the boy wasn’t a natural goalscorer! But the visitors definitely saw more of the ball and on balance of play they deserved their late equaliser. Shame that Orlandi didn’t manage a shutout but he certainly gained us the point, that’s for sure.

Team Selection
Orlandi (9), Tomasetti (7), Giangolini (7), Marinelli (6), Pomante (6), Puccinelli (7), Magnani (7), Carelli (7), Stefani (7), Merloni (6) Pazzi (7),

Goals
Pazzi 62


The final game of the month would be a real test of Fano’s credentials at this level – a visit by league leaders Pescara. Unbeaten thus far in the season they were relegated from Serie B last season and were making a bid for an immediate return.

Sandy’s Journal
Sunday November 28th 2004
Serie C1/A Game 11
Fano 3 Pescara 1
The league leaders didn’t appear to be at their best today or perhaps I’m being unfair on my own players. Whilst not outstanding, we played well but I feel that the 3-1 scoreline flatters us somewhat. Nonetheless it is a great result and another indicator that, given our first choice team, we can compete at this level.

Team Selection
Orlandi (6), Tomasetti (8*), Giangolini (7), Marinelli (7), Pomante (7), Puccinelli (8), Magnani (8), Carelli (7), Stefani (7), Merloni (7) Pazzi (8),

Goals
Pazzi 11, Merloni 52, Magnani 84


Sandy had to pinch himself when he looked at the league table after the Pescara game – Fano were top on goal difference. As encouraging as this was he was only too aware that it would only take injuries to a few key players to disrupt their campaign – look at the Pazzi situation last season. Strength in depth would be required as the season progressed and that was sorely lacking at present.

retired_amyslack

The Backroom Boys

Mirco’s search for backroom staff was finally beginning to pay off and Sandy, in conjunction with assistant Dario and Director of Football Loris Servadio, had been busy interviewing candidates. Overall Sandy had been fairly pleased with the quality of the applicants and no fewer than 4 new coaches and 4 physios had been appointed. All bar one of the new staff were Italian but the exception was the one that Sandy was most excited about. It seemed that news of Sandy’s new career had filtered back to the UK and he was amazed to get a call from none other than former England international Peter Beardsley. Sandy knew him from the old days and was quick to strike a deal – Beardsley would move to Fano to establish their embryonic youth programme. Two of the new coaches were assigned to assist him as well as one of the physios. Even better, the Englishman was keen to bring on board a couple of young scouts that he knew to assist in identifying potential youngsters. Things were really starting to take shape and Sandy was very excited about that.

With all of this backroom activity going on Sandy’s next league match at Treviso was not long in arriving but he would be without Luca Puccinelli, the injury-prone midfielder damaging a shoulder in training.

Sandy’s Journal
Sunday December 5th 2004
Serie C1/A Game 12
Treviso 2 Fano 0
A rather flat performance was quite a contract to our solid display of last week. The boys just didn’t click today and having Paz take an early bath because of two yellow cards was a blow. A man down and not firing on all cylinders, we were always going to struggle to get back on terms.

Team Selection
Orlandi (5), Tomasetti (6), Giangolini (7), Marinelli (6), Pomante (6), Colombaretti (7), Magnani (7), Carelli (7), Stefani (7), Merloni (5, sub 59) Pazzi (6)
Subs - Castaldo (7)


So having their time as league leaders abruptly curtailed Sandy was keen to see his team get back into the swing of things and the visit of relegation-threatened Pistoiese could give them an ideal opportunity. Pazzi would be absent through suspension and would be replaced by Castaldo and Puccinelli was still several days away from returning.

Sandy’s Journal
Sunday December 12th 2004
Serie C1/A Game 13
Fano 1 Pistoise 0
It still wasn’t happening today and despite having by far the better of the play we were very poor in front off goal. The loss of Carelli proved to be decisive but not as I expected, as substitute Ghidini played well and ended up scoring the winning goal.

Team Selection
Orlandi (6), Tomasetti (7), Giangolini (7), Marinelli (8), Pomante (7), Colombaretti (7), Magnani (7), Carelli (5, sub 31), Stefani (7), Merloni (7) Castaldo (7)
Subs - Ghidini (8)

Goals
Ghidini 69


Other results that weekend meant that the narrow win was enough to take Fano back to the top of the table. With a couple of games to go before the short Christmas break the next match would be at Cesena, a team just below the playoff places. Sandy was able to restore both Pazzi and Puccinelli to the starting eleven for the game.

Sandy’s Journal
Sunday December 19th 2004
Serie C1/A Game 14
Cesena 1 Fano 2
Marco Marinelli got us off to a great start with his first ever goal for the club. I must say that I am pleased with the partnership that he has developed with the other Marco in central defence but this is still an area that we need to strengthen. Paz gave us a cushion with his 12th goal of the season and despite conceding a penalty shortly afterwards we were able to hang on for the win.

Team Selection
Orlandi (9), Tomasetti (7), Giangolini (7), Marinelli (9), Pomante (6), Puccinelli (8), Magnani (7), Carelli (6), Stefani (7), Merloni (7) Pazzi (9*)

Goals
Marinelli 4, Pazzi 55


The last game before a welcome two-week break involved a visit from Prato, another team on the fringes of the playoff places. With no injury problems Sandy could name an unchanged side for the encounter.

Sandy’s Journal
Thursday December 23rd 2004
Serie C1/A Game 15
Fano 4 Prato 0
What a lovely way to end the year! A fine team performance and some outstanding goals too. Paz and Merloni both thrashed home shots from distance and substitute Ghidini impressed from the bench once more.

Team Selection
Orlandi (8), Tomasetti (7), Giangolini (8), Marinelli (7), Pomante (7), Puccinelli (7), Magnani (8), Carelli (5, sub 66), Stefani (7), Merloni (8*) Pazzi (8)
Subs - Ghidini (7)

Goals
Merloni 26, 66, Pazzi 50, Ghidini 81


The excellent win meant that Fano would end the year in a most unexpected position – top of Serie C1/A on goal difference over Pescara. Whilst no one at the club would have predicted that at the beginning of the season it had become clear to Sandy as the season was unfolding that the difference in quality between Serie C1 and C2 was not as great as he had expected. Even though his squad had not been strengthened as much as he would have liked, his relative good fortune thus far on the injury front had meant that his team selection had been very stable. The players knew each other very well by now and were becoming a well-drilled outfit. The team spirit was excellent, with even the fringe players showing no signs of discontent. Sandy’s experience of managing at the highest level was paying dividends – the club was well organised and, for such a small operation, had an innovative training program in place. The addition of a youth programme, whilst still in it’s infancy, would also be useful and Sandy was feeling pretty optimistic for the immediate future.

retired_amyslack

Beardsley Comes Up Trumps

With the players and staff given a short Christmas break Sandy once again spent the festive season in Italy. New coach Peter Beardsley decided to head back to the UK to finish organising the relocation of his family. But prior to his departure he drew Sandy’s attention to a couple of youngsters that his scouts had invited for trials.

“They’re both worth a punt in my opinion” his coach informed him. “Daniele Sgammini is 20 and he was released by Perugia a couple of months ago. He may not be ready for first team action but I think that the young centre back would be a good backup.”

“Fine, what about the other boy?”

“The striker - he’s an interesting one. His name is Massimiliano Riccio, he’s only 18 and he spent a little time at Pisa last season. He’s raw but there’s something about him – he’s fast, strong and hard working and his enthusiasm has to be seen to be believed. He reminds me of a young James Beattie.”

“Not a bad model to follow.”

“Not bad at all. He’s a definite keeper in my opinion, and worth a run out sooner rather than later. He might just surprise a few people.”

“OK – Thanks Peter. I’ll take your advice and we’ll see if we can get them signed up. Now you better get of to the airport. Giacomo will make sure that you get there in one piece and don’t miss your flight. See you in the New Year.”

Sandy wasted no time in following up on Beardsley’s recommendation and quickly agreed contracts with the two youngsters. He also had a number of other players that would be out of contract come the summer. He decided that Orlandi, Stefani and Carelli would be offered new deals but that the others would have to wait and see. The acquisition of Sgammini coincided with the end of Diego Borioni’s contract and Sandy felt comfortable in allowing the defender to leave. At the same time he was also hearing rumours in the local press that there were a few clubs interested in Andrea Ghidini and was asked to comment on the speculation. He tried to hedge his bets, as he wasn’t convinced that the midfielder had a future at the club but he was certainly a useful backup.

All too soon the short holiday was over and they players were back in training getting ready for the visit to Reggiana. Sandy expected a tough game as their opponents were in the playoff zone and pushing for promotion. He decided that Sgammini would get a place on the bench now that Borioni had departed. With Merloni injured in training he also gambled on a first outing for new striker Riccio to see what he was made of – nothing like throwing them in at the deep end!

Sandy’s Journal
Sunday January 9th 2005
Serie C1/A Game 16
Reggiana 4 Fano 2
We were thoroughly outplayed in this one to be honest. The home side were excellent and striker Marcello Campolonghi tormented us throughout, ending with a fine hat trick. Riccio made a reasonable debut but it was down to Paz once again for our goals.

Team Selection
Orlandi (7), Tomasetti (6), Giangolini (6), Marinelli (6), Pomante (6), Puccinelli (7), Magnani (6), Carelli (7), Stefani (5, sub 65), Riccio (7) Pazzi (8)
Subs - Ghidini (7)

Goals
Pazzi 17, 50


The lead up to the visit of struggling Rimini was not good with both Puccinelli and Pazzi suffering injuries in training. Luca would be out for a fortnight and Paz would be missing for three weeks. With Merloni still out of action Castaldo came into attack with Colombaretti taking the right midfield position.

Sandy’s Journal
Sunday January 16th 2005
Serie C1/A Game 17
Fano 2 Rimini 0
A pretty dire first half ended with neither side having managed a shot on target. After some suitable encouragement in my half time team talk the boys were a bit more with it in the second period and it was a comfortable enough win in the end.

Team Selection
Orlandi (7), Tomasetti (9*), Giangolini (7), Marinelli (8), Pomante (7), Colombaretti (6, sub 84), Magnani (8), Carelli (8), Stefani (7, sub 87), Riccio (8) Castaldo (7)
Subs - Gentilucci (7), Ghidini (6)

Goals
Tomasetti 51, Carelli 89


In the week before the visit of Torres, Sandy accepted an offer from Thiene to loan Francesco De Luca for the remainder of the season. The defender was definitely surplus to requirements having not featured at this season and he was going to be released at the end of the season anyway. In the meantime Sandy was pleased to have his wages covered until the summer and quickly agreed to the deal. Marco Pelliccia was another player whose contract would expire in the summer and with no renewal in sight he accepted an offer from Prato and would leave at the start of July. Andrea Ghidini also made an exit. Having refused several offers that stipulated monthly payments when Sandy received a straight €50K bid from Messina he delayed no longer and settled there and then.

For the game against Torres, Sandy would be forced into some changes. Tomasetti would be serving a one-match suspension having totted up 5 yellow cards so Francesco Calanchi would take his place. Danilo Stefani was out with a knee injury sustained in training and Nicola Vitali would replace him but Luca Puccinelli was now fit so he was back in the starting line-up.

Sandy’s Journal
Sunday January 23rd 2005
Serie C1/A Game 18
Fano 0 Torres 0
We had the better of the chances in this game and only a good display by the visiting keeper denied us the win. Riccio is still settling in but thus far he does not have the look of a natural goalscorer. He does make a nuisance of himself in the opposing penalty area but it remains to be seen if he will make the grade. An injury late on to Vitali saw him withdrawn so hopefully Stefani will have recovered for our next game.

Team Selection
Orlandi (7), Tomasetti (7), Giangolini (7), Marinelli (7), Pomante (7), Puccinelli (7), Magnani (7), Carelli (7), Vitali (7, sub 84), Riccio (7) Castaldo (7)
Subs - Trufelli (6)


The final week of the winter transfer window saw Sandy move for several players that the scouts had identified, all of whom were intended to provide some welcome experience. Striker Cristiano Luconi (32) and midfielder Giacomo Biagi (32) both signed from Castelnuovo and defender Riccardo Rocchini (35) came from Giugliano at a combined cost of €8K. All three of the new signings would make the trip to Pro Patria, although none of them would start. With Stefani and Pazzi back it was a full-strength team and Sandy was hopeful of a decent result.

Sandy’s Journal
Sunday January 30th 2005
Serie C1/A Game 19
Pro Patria 1 Fano 1
We endured a right battering from the home side, especially after Paz gave us the lead just after half time. It was a good goal mind, Paz sipping two defenders and finishing emphatically to round off a great team move. Young Fredi had a fine game in goal and almost single-handedly won us the point. We have now slipped down to 3rd place as our form starts to stutter.

Team Selection
Orlandi (10*), Tomasetti (6), Giangolini (7), Marinelli (7), Pomante (5, sub 73), Puccinelli (7), Magnani (7), Carelli (7), Stefani (6), Riccio (7) Pazzi (10)
Subs - Sgammini (6)

Goals
Pazzi 46

Pazzi’s strike against Pro Patria was his 16th of the season and was deemed a worthy Goal of the Month winner.

retired_amyslack

Keeping Things Going

With the winter transfer window now firmly closed Sandy knew that he would be finishing the season with no further additions to his squad. He was pretty confident that if he could keep his key players fit then he had enough quality in the team to hold on to a playoff place. After that it was in the lap of the gods. His first game of the month would be a tester with 6th place Novara coming to town. He decided that Riccio had seen enough action for now and Merloni would replace him up front as the youngster still hadn’t opened his scoring account.

Sandy’s Journal
Sunday February 6th 2005
Serie C1/A Game 20
Fano 0 Novara 1
We fell behind after 20 minutes when Marco Pomante gave away a penalty and despite creating a number of excellent chances we failed to find an equaliser. The visiting keeper denied us on a number of occasions and we seemed fated no to score. Merloni was replaced at half time by new striker Luconi but he couldn’t find a way through either. A disappointing result that drops us down to 4th place.

Team Selection
Orlandi (5), Tomasetti (7), Giangolini (7), Marinelli (7), Pomante (7), Puccinelli (8), Magnani (7), Carelli (7), Stefani (7), Merloni (5, sub 45) Pazzi (7)
Subs - Luconi (7)


Sandy had to re-shuffle the centre of his defence for the game at Lucchese as both the Marcos, Pomante and Marinelli had reached the 5-card limit in the previous game. This meant that Daniele Sgammini and Marino D’Aloisio would be in the starting eleven. Another change would be necessary as injury-prone Luca Puccinelli was also crocked so Sandy decided to try Luigi Castaldo on the wing to see how he performed in that position.

Sandy’s Journal
Sunday February 13th 2005
Serie C1/A Game 21
Lucchese 4 Fano 1
The boys have really lost their way at present and this was as poor a performance as I have seen the team produce. We were two goals down inside 10 minutes and never looked like mounting a comeback. There were poor performances all over the pitch and I couldn’t make up my mind who to substitute first. Merloni was poor up front, Castaldo made a poor choice of winger and Carelli was uncharacteristically flat. I need to get them back on track quickly before losing starts to become a habit.

Team Selection
Orlandi (7), Tomasetti (6), Giangolini (6), D’Aloisio (6), Sgammini (6), Castaldo (4, sub 54), Magnani (7), Carelli (4, sub 90), Stefani (5), Merloni (4, sub 38) Pazzi (7)
Subs - Colombaretti (7), Luconi (7), Biagi (6)

Goals
Colombaretti 65


For the visit of Monza, Sandy could welcome back his first choice defensive partnership now that the Marcos’ had served their suspensions. Merloni was dropped to be replaced by Luconi and Carelli was moved to the bench with new signing Biagi making his first start. Colombaretti would start on the right wing after doing pretty well when called upon from the bench.

Sandy’s Journal
Sunday February 20th 2005
Serie C1/A Game 22
Fano 1 Monza 0
This was a better display but we still had to rely on a penalty for our goal and the three points. Paz has really gone off the boil and we are desperately missing his scoring touch but I’m sure it will come back. Colombaretti played well and on that showing he will certainly stay in the side until Puccinelli is fit. The visitors may be struggling in the league but they still created enough problems for us at the back that we needed Orlandi to be at his best to keep our lead intact.

Team Selection
Orlandi (8*), Tomasetti (8), Giangolini (7), Pomante (7), Marinelli (7), Colombaretti (8), Magnani (8), Biagi (6), Stefani (7), Luconi (7) Pazzi (7)

Goals
Luconi 74


For the trip to bottom of the table Lumezzane Sandy decided to stick with an unchanged eleven, although Puccinelli would sit on the bench and could well make an appearance.


Sandy’s Journal
Sunday February 27th 2005
Serie C1/A Game 23
Lumezzane 1 Fano 3
That was a bit more like it as a fine first half performance, including two goals in a three-minute period, wrapped up a good win. It was a good all round team display and Biagi was unlucky not to get a second goal after the break, his crashing drive coming back off the crossbar. It was great to see Pazzi back in the goals and this may give him the confidence boost that he required.

Team Selection
Orlandi (7), Tomasetti (7), Giangolini (8), Pomante (6), Marinelli (7), Colombaretti (8), Magnani (8), Biagi (8), Stefani (7), Luconi (7) Pazzi (8*)

Goals
Biagi 15, Colombaretti 28, Pazzi 31


Christian Pazzi’s 17th goal of the season was good enough to win the Goal of the Months award for February as Fano ended the month holding 3rd place, 6 points behind leaders Pescara.

retired_amyslack

Springing Forward

Last month’s mixed results had concerned Sandy slightly but he was still optimistic that his team would hold on to a playoff position. He felt that his coaching team were working well together and that the players were benefiting from the training regime that had been put in place. Peter Beardsley seemed to be settling in and Sandy had made sure that he spent time each day with translator Giacomo getting to grips with the language. Sandy was aware that his own efforts at Italian were hindered slightly by his broad Scots accent and his players still laughed at the way he pronounced certain words. But Peter had a Geordie accent to deal with and that produced some spectacularly mangled Italian pronunciation.

For the visit of 4th place Cremonese Sandy kept an unchanged teamsheet. He felt that this game was very important – with 10 games remaining after this one they were reaching a vital part of the season and having already lost once to the same opponents he wanted to avoid a 6-pointer.

Sandy’s Journal
Sunday March 6th 2005
Serie C1/A Game 24
Fano 2 Cremonese 0
We seem to be getting back on an even keel after our little stutter and today’s performance was first rate. Steady in defence and creative going forward, it was a very good display against tough opponents. Marinelli was a rock at the back, Magnani had an excellent game until he started to tire and Colombaretti is proving my initial impressions to be quite incorrect. With another goal from Pazzi to seal the win he looks like he may be back into his stride.

Team Selection
Orlandi (7), Tomasetti (8), Giangolini (8), Pomante (7), Marinelli (8*), Colombaretti (8), Magnani (8, sub 77), Biagi (7, sub 77), Stefani (7), Luconi (8) Pazzi (7)
Subs – Rocchini (7), Puccinelli (7)

Goals
Magnani 8, Pazzi 85


Having come through one stern challenge Sandy’s team had to face an even tougher game a week later when second place Pisa came to Fano. They would be without left back Francesco Giangolini, suspended after 5 yellow cards and Sandy’s options for a replacement were limited with no other naturally left-sided defender in the squad. He finally decided to ask right-footed Francesco Calanchi to play out of position. Puccinelli was also unavailable with yet another training injury. Sandy had started to refer to the winger as “Sick Note” and it took some time to explain this concept to the players.

Sandy’s Journal
Sunday March 13th 2005
Serie C1/A Game 25
Fano 2 Pisa 2
At the start of the game I would have settled for a point but having been two goals ahead with less than 20 minutes to play it’s a little disappointing not to have taken all three points. A very even first half ended scoreless but Cristiano Luconi got his second goal for the club to break the deadlock early in the second period. Colombaretti had been replaced at half time as a precaution as he was limping slightly and veteran Riccardo Rocchini did a great job coming on as a makeshift winger, scoring what proved to be a crucial second goal. But the visitors fought back very determinedly and scored twice in the last 15 minutes to secure the point. Overall a good performance though and Calanchi did very well as a stand-in left back and the lad shows a good attitude.

Team Selection
Orlandi (7), Tomasetti (8), Calanchi (8), Pomante (7), Marinelli (7), Colombaretti (7, sub 45), Magnani (7), Biagi (7), Stefani (7), Luconi (8) Pazzi (7)
Subs – Rocchini (8)

Goals
Luconi 51, Rocchini 71


After two very tough games the visit to struggling Cittadella could provide an easier contest for Sandy’s team. With Giangolini available after suspension he was restored to the starting eleven but that was the only change made to the team.

Sandy’s Journal
Sunday March 20th 2005
Serie C1/A Game 26
Cittadella 0 Fano 2
Despite their poor position in the league the home side more than matched us for effort and had they showed greater composure in front of goal then the scoreline could have been quite different. As it was Orlandi had to be at his best to keep a clean sheet. Luconi showed all his years of experience by being in the right place to capitalise on a defensive mistake to open the scoring. He doubled his tally on the stroke of half time to seal a satisfactory win. Magnani was impressive on the left wing, creating both of the scoring opportunities and he has turned out to be a pretty good summer signing.

Team Selection
Orlandi (8), Tomasetti (7), Giangolini (8), Pomante (7), Marinelli (8), Colombaretti (7, sub 76), Magnani (9*), Biagi (8), Stefani (7), Luconi (8, sub 76) Pazzi (7)
Subs – Puccinelli (7), Riccio (7)

Goals
Luconi 18, 45


With a 10-day break before the next match at Pavia Sandy decided to give the players a weekend off, hoping that they would take the chance to relax with their families and forget about football for a day or two. Striker Luconi would miss the midweek match though as he took a knock in training the day before the match and Riccio would start in his stead. Luca Tomasetti also had to be replaced as he was struggling for fitness after a knock in training the week before so Calanchi would start.

Sandy’s Journal
Wednesday March 30th 2005
Serie C1/A Game 27
Pavia 1 Fano 1
Paz got us off to a great start by scoring virtually straight from the kickoff. And a great goal it was too as he cut through the Pavia defence before finishing brilliantly. But after that it was even-steven as there was little to separate the teams in terms of possession or scoring opportunities. The home side deserved their equaliser 10 minutes after the restart and but for Orlandi we would probably have lost the game.

Team Selection
Orlandi (9*), Calanchi (5), Giangolini (7), Pomante (7), Marinelli (7), Colombaretti (7), Magnani (7), Biagi (7), Stefani (7), Riccio (7) Pazzi (8)

Goals
Pazzi 1


Fano entered the final part of the season holding second place in Serie C1/A, 5 points behind Pescara and two points ahead of Pisa. Sandy still expected his team to make the playoffs but there was still a lot of football to be played and he wasn’t taking anything for granted.

retired_amyslack

Crunch Time

With just seven games to be played in the remaining 6 weeks of the regular season it was imperative that Fano kept their momentum going. Pazzi was still lacking fluency in front of goal and was not in the free-scoring form that he had been showing. New signing Luconi had started to deliver the goods and his injury could be costly with at least another three weeks to wait until he returned.

Fano faced another 10-day break as World Cup qualification continued with Italy and Scotland both in action twice. Italy followed an unimpressive 2-1 win in Liechtenstein with a home win over Austria by the same scoreline to top their group. Scotland were less fortunate with two home games giving them a fine 3-1 win over the Ukraine but then a narrow 1-0 loss to Holland to leave them second in their group.

Fano’s next contest was a trip to league leaders Pescara and they would be without three key players for this crucial game. Central defender Marco Marinelli was serving another suspension and both Luca Puccinelli and Cristiano Luconi suffered groin strains in the days leading up to the game. This meant that Riccardo Rocchini would play in defence with Massimiliano Riccio keeping his place in the starting lienup. However Luca Tomasetti would be back in the team now that he had reached full fitness.

Sandy’s Journal
Sunday April 10th 2005
Serie C1/A Game 28
Pescara 1 Fano 0
What a frustrating display this was. We fell behind to an early goal but seemed to be playing well enough to recover the situation. And then Luca Tomasetti got himself sent off! First he was yellow-carded for a foul and then went and hacked at his opponent when he was still on the ground – second yellow and goodbye Luca. We will be having words about this! So off came striker Riccio and Calanchi came on at right back. But even with ten men we actually played well enough to at least rescue a point but it was not to be.

Team Selection
Orlandi (5), Tomasetti (6), Giangolini (7), Pomante (7), Rocchini (7), Colombaretti (7, sub 70), Magnani (7, sub 85), Biagi (7), Stefani (7), Riccio (5, sub 32) Pazzi (7)
Subs – Calanchi (7), Sgammini (6), Merloni (6)

It was no disgrace to lose to the league leaders but Sandy was disappointed with the lack of discipline showed by Tomasetti and he felt that he had no option but to issue the youngster with an official warning. Unfortunately Luca reacted rather immaturely, complaining that Sandy’s treatment of him was harsh. However with his first choice right back now facing a three-match suspension, Sandy stuck to his guns and Luca would have to just get on with things.

Sandy then turned his attention to the next fixture, a midweek match at home to struggling Treviso. He felt that this would present an excellent opportunity for three points. With Tomasetti suspended, Calanchi would step in at right back and Marco Marinelli would be back in the team now that he had reached full fitness.

Sandy’s Journal
Thursday April 14th 2005
Serie C1/A Game 29
Fano 4 Treviso 0
At last, Massimiliano Riccio has scored a goal. In fact there was no stopping him today as he powered his way to a hat trick. His opener was nothing special but he was in the right place to slide the ball home after the visiting keeper fumbled a cross. His other two came courtesy of his power in the air with well-taken headers. Now that he has broken his duck perhaps he will become a more regular scorer for us.

Team Selection
Orlandi (7), Calanchi (7), Giangolini (8), Pomante (7), Marinelli (8), Colombaretti (8), Magnani (7), Biagi (7, sub 45), Stefani (7), Riccio (10*) Pazzi (7, sub 78)
Subs – Carelli (7), Castaldo (6)

Goals
Riccio 12, 56, 77, Colombaretti 29


With barely two days before their next game at Pistoiese Sandy was forced into making a number of changes as several players required to be rested. He was therefore not too optimistic about the outcome in the circumstance.

Sandy’s Journal
Sunday April 17th 2005
Serie C1/A Game 30
Pistoiese 2 Fano 0
A below-par performance, poor discipline and eccentric refereeing combined to cost us the game. We gave away an early goal to put ourselves on the back foot and then just before the half hour Merloni was dismissed for an innocuous push. Two minutes later, Pomante panicked in his own box and gave away a penalty and that was that.

Team Selection
Orlandi (6), Rocchini (7), Giangolini (7), Pomante (5), Marinelli (6), Colombaretti (6), Biagi (7), Vitali (7), Stefani (7), Castaldo (7) Merloni (4)


In the lead up to Fano’s next game, a visit by mid-table Cesena, Sandy took some time to peruse the league table. Leaders Pescara had a 6-point cushion and were guaranteed at least a playoff place but looked likely champions. There was little to separate the chasing group in the playoff places. Pisa were on 57 points, Novara had 56, then Fano on 55 followed by Reggiana on 54. There was then a 7-point gap to 6th place so it looked quite likely that those 4 would be contesting promotion.

Sandy’s Journal
Sunday April 24th 2005
Serie C1/A Game 31
Fano 3 Cesena 0
Tommaso Colombaretti was our star today, scoring the crucial goals that gave us three very valuable points. A late strike from Paz put more of a gloss on the final scoreline but the result was never in doubt. The dismissal of a visiting defender after 60 minutes didn’t do our cause any harm either but even at full strength they barely caused Orlandi to break sweat. Veteran Riccardo Rocchini showed his versatility by filling in admirably at right back in the absence of Tomasetti and he may well keep his place even when Luca has served his suspension.

Team Selection
Orlandi (6), Rocchini (8), Giangolini (8), Pomante (7), Marinelli (7), Colombaretti (9*), Magnani (7), Biagi (8), Stefani (8), Riccio (9) Pazzi (8)

Goals
Colombaretti 17, 46, Pazzi 90

retired_brinker317

This is excellent Bob :thup:

retired_amyslack

Thanks d_s - and may I just add how delighted I am to see your return to the forum :thup:

Now For The Hard Part

Despite a couple of setbacks, Sandy’s team had managed to achieve their objective of a Playoff place but the manager was concerned by signs of a drop in form. He would be working hard with the players to try to regain some momentum so that they could go into the Playoff matches with increased confidence. During the week Sandy heard that the fledging Fano youth programme had unearthed another prospect, 18-year-old central defender Vincenzo Buscemi joining after being released by Serie B side Messina earlier in the season. But he would not be in the party that travelled to Prato for the first league game of the month.

Sandy’s Journal
Sunday May 1st 2005
Serie C1/A Game 32
Prato 1 Fano 0
This was not the most inspiring of games as neither side put on much of a display. A goal for the home side shortly before half time was enough for the win as we failed to create any serious scoring opportunities. But at least the playoff places are now decided and despite dropping to 5th we are guaranteed a shot at promotion to Serie B.

Team Selection
Orlandi (8), Rocchini (6), Giangolini (7), Pomante (5), Marinelli (7), Colombaretti (7), Magnani (7), Biagi (7), Stefani (7), Riccio (7) Pazzi (7)


With two games still left in the regular season the playoff places were indeed decided and Fano would be in the mix. After their experiences last season, Sandy was only too well aware how important their finishing place in the table may prove so he was anxious to finish the season with two wins. In the lead up to the final home game of the season against Reggiana Sandy was hit with a couple of injury problems. Both Giacomo Biagi and Marco Pomante would miss the game but Cristiano Luconi would be able to start up front. Daniele Sgammini would replace Pomante in defence but Sandy wanted to try an experiment in midfield. Massimiliano Riccio hadn’t distinguished himself as a striker so far but Sandy had a feeling that his pace and strength could be useful in an attacking midfield role. It was a risk but a win would move them above their opponents so Sandy decided to give it a go.

Sandy’s Journal
Sunday May 8th 2005
Serie C1/A Game 33
Fano 2 Reggiana 3
The experiment with Riccio in midfield worked well as the youngster had a fine game, scoring the opening goal early on. Unfortunately we couldn’t contain the visitors and the struck back with three unanswered goals in a 10-minute spell either side of half time. Pazzi pulled a goal back with 20 minutes remaining but we couldn’t quite complete the recovery and it looks very much like 5th place is as high as we will go.

Team Selection
Orlandi (7), Rocchini (7), Giangolini (5, sub 57), Sgammini (7), Marinelli (7), Colombaretti (7), Magnani (7), Riccio (9), Stefani (6), Luconi (7) Pazzi (8)
Subs – Calanchi (6)

Goals
Riccio 6, Pazzi 70


For the final game of the season at Rimini, Sandy was able to restore Pomante in defence but he would be without winger Roberto Magnani who was serving a on-match suspension meaning that Biagi would play instead. He decided to keep Riccio in midfield after his fine performance the previous week.

Sandy’s Journal
Sunday May 15th 2005
Serie C1/A Game 34
Rimini 3 Fano 2
Having gone two goals ahead after less that 10 minutes we were cruising and in control. But we made the elementary error of not killing off the opposition, missing a host of good chances before the break. We then went to sleep at the back and allowed the home side, a team already condemned to the relegation playouts, to get a goal back before the break. Worse was to follow as we conceded an equaliser 10 minutes after the restart and completed our collapse by allowing a sucker-punch winner in stoppage time.

Team Selection
Orlandi (8), Rocchini (7), Giangolini (6), Pomante (7), Marinelli (8), Colombaretti (7), Biagi (7), Riccio (7), Stefani (7), Luconi (7) Pazzi (7)

Goals
Marinelli 1, Luconi 8


Sandy was frustrated to say the least at his team’s defensive lapses in their last two games. They would need to be much tighter at the back in the Playoffs if they were to progress any further. Pescara secured the Serie C1/A title despite a final day defeat and Fano would face Pisa in the Semi Final with Novara playing Reggiana. In the two weeks leading up to the first leg, Inter captured the Serie A title, finishing just one point ahead of neighbours Milan and Juventus completed a 3-1 aggregate defeat of Roma to lift the Italian Cup. In European competition, Dortmund triumphed in the UEFA Cup, beating Parma 2-1 and Arsenal beat Manchester United 2-1 in an all-English Champions League final.

retired_amyslack

A Step Too Far?

Two frustrating defeats in their final games of the regular season was far from ideal preparation for the challenge to come. As might be expected there was endless speculation by the local press regarding Fano’s chances of gaining a place in Serie B and Sandy was concerned that the pressure was starting to get to some of his youngsters. So he tried to keep the boys as relaxed as possible in the lead up to the Playoff games. For the home tie of the Semi Final, Sandy decided to restore Luca Tomasetti and Luca Puccinelli to the starting eleven to see if he could get a more consistent performance from his team.

Sandy’s Journal
Saturday May 28th 2005
Serie C1/A Playoff Semi Final 1st Leg
Fano 3 Pisa 0
A stunning hat trick by teenager Massimiliano Riccio gave us a tremendous lead to take into the second leg in a week’s time. The youngster was amazingly effective in midfield and his power and strength were significant factors in his display. It could have been even better for us as we hit the woodwork twice in each half as well. Unfortunately Puccinelli never made it to half time before succumbing to an injury and having to be withdrawn. We were also grateful to Orlandi for some fine saves to keep a clean sheet.

Team Selection
Orlandi (8), Tomasetti (8), Giangolini (7), Pomante (7), Marinelli (8), Puccinelli (7, sub 39), Magnani (8), Riccio (10*), Stefani (8), Luconi (8) Pazzi (8)
Subs – Colombaretti (7)

Goals
Riccio 42, 69, 85


Sandy’s experiment in moving Riccio to midfield seemed to be working out better than anyone would have imagined and he would certainly keep his place in the side for the second leg. Given the problems with Puccinelli’s fitness, Sandy decided to move him to the bench and give Colombaretti a start instead.

Sandy’s Journal
Saturday June 4th 2005
Serie C1/A Playoff Semi Final 2nd Leg
Pisa 0 Fano 0 (Fano win 3-0 on aggregate)
I expected a bit of an onslaught from the home side but to be honest it never really came. For long periods the game bogged down in midfield with neither team able to establish a rhythm and play with any flair. Given that we were defending a 3-goal lead this suited us pretty well and we restricted Pisa’s scoring opportunities. We even survived a late penalty award, Orlandi making a fine save to keep his goal intact.

Team Selection
Orlandi (8), Tomasetti (6), Giangolini (7), Pomante (7), Marinelli (7), Colombaretti (4, sub 83), Magnani (7, sub 83), Riccio (6), Stefani (7), Luconi (8) Pazzi (8)
Subs – Puccinelli (7), Merloni (6)


Sandy, along with everyone at the club, was very pleased to have made the Playoff Final and felt that his team had a decent chance of gaining a victory. He was delighted when Cristian Pazzi was voted the Serie C1/A Player of the Year and was pleased to see him voted onto the Team of the Year together with teammates Frederico Orlandi and Marco Marinelli. Sandy himself gained some recognition, finishing as runner-up in the Manager of the Year poll. When he saw that Fano’s opponents in the Playoff Final would be Novara, 7-2 aggregate winners over Reggiana, he was quietly confident that his team could gain a win and a second consecutive promotion. In the lead up to the first leg, striker Cristiano Luconi suffered a nasty head wound in training and would not be risked in the starting eleven, Matteo Merloni playing instead.

Sandy’s Journal
Saturday June 11th 2005
Serie C1/A Playoff Final 1st Leg
Novara 1 Fano 0
We were pretty much outplayed by the home side in this game and were perhaps fortunate to escape with such a narrow defeat. We struggled to get our passing game going and our scoring opportunities were very limited. Had our hosts shown a little more composure in front of goal then they could have killed this game off but as it is we are still in with a chance in the second leg.

Team Selection
Orlandi (8), Tomasetti (6), Giangolini (7), Pomante (7), Marinelli (7), Colombaretti (7), Magnani (7), Riccio (7), Stefani (7), Merloni (7) Pazzi (7)


In the World Cup qualification campaign Italy consolidated their place at the top of Group 3 with a narrow 1-0 defeat of Norway and Scotland impressed with a 5-0 demolition of Northern Ireland to stay second in Group 6. Both teams were in action again a few days later, Italy winning 2-0 in Cyprus and Scotland defeating San Marino 3-0. Sandy was pleased to see his homeland take over the leadership of their group, as rivals Holland and Denmark were both defeated.

Prior to Fano’s home tie in the Playoff Final, Marino D’Aloisio decided that, at 35, he had played enough football and would be retiring at the end of the season. Privately Sandy was sure that the central defender had made the right decision as his form had slumped dramatically this season and he had rarely featured. Cristiano Luconi was fit enough to regain his place up front as Sandy prepared his team for their final game of the season. He anticipated a full house at the Stadio Mancini and hoped that his team would give the fans something to cheer about as they tried to overcome their narrow first-leg deficit against Novara.

Sandy’s Journal
Saturday June 18th 2005
Serie C1/A Playoff Final 2nd Leg
Fano 0 Novara 3
Unfortunately we just couldn’t rise to the occasion today and although we worked hard we couldn’t find the inspiration required to overcome a very determined visiting team. The more we pushed forward looking for a way back into the game the greater became the risk that we would be caught on the break. We reached half time still scoreless but then conceded twice in 10 minutes after the restart and it was all over. The final scoreline was a little harsh on the boys but given the way we played no one could argue about the overall result.

Team Selection
Orlandi (5), Tomasetti (7), Giangolini (7), Pomante (5), Marinelli (7), Colombaretti (7), Magnani (5), Riccio (7), Stefani (7), Merloni (7) Pazzi (7)


It was disappointing to have come so close to a place in Serie B but as Sandy reflected on the season as a whole he began to reach the conclusion that the defeat may end up being a blessing in disguise. On reflection his team probably over-achieved in even getting to the Playoff Final and they had undoubtedly had a very successful season. The club’s finances had improved significantly during the season as their success had boosted attendances and Sandy felt that they now had an opportunity to be a lot more active in the transfer market in order to put together a squad that could not just get promoted but could also compete at a higher level.