retired_xs2khizar

Tuesday 22nd June 2004

In one quick blow, my plans and expectations for next season are scattered by a sudden announcement from new striker Francesco Erbini, who has decided that he is retiring from football. Now. Francesco thinks that it is time to hand the helm over to younger hands, despite being only 32 years of age and remaining the most prolific goalscorer in Serie C2. The groin muscle injury that he suffered at the end of the season seems to have worried him, and pressure from outside the game has metaphorically twisted his arm.

Obviously it comes as a shock and a huge disappointment. We paid (or will have paid) a transfer fee of £14,000 for Francesco in January, yet his entire 'career' with us lasted 11 matches and yielded 10 goals. Just £1,400 per goal then. I was also looking forward to the prospect of him continuing his promising partnership with Eddy Baggio throughout the whole of next season, a partnership largely responsible for our upturn in form during the second half of this season that saw us make strides up the table to comfortable safety.

retired_xs2khizar

Tuesday 29th June 2004

The local magazine in Ragusa that announced Giancarlo Ferrara as last season's Fans' Player of the Year has run their poll again, and this time the fans have named our high profile Uruguayan Daniel Fonseca as Ferrara's successor. Daniel had a decent season, averaging a goal every other game and even achieving two spectacular hat-tricks, while his trickery and technique obviously endeared him to the Ragusa fans in his first 12 months here.


For the club overall this has not exactly been a fantastic season, but I had a feeling from the very start that this year would not be easy. The second year at a club rarely is. Although I had initially set out with the intention of equalling or improving on the 8th position in the first season, when we hit rock bottom in November it was clear that just surviving relegation this season should be our aim and would be an achievement. As it turned out we did in fact manage to equal 8th in the final weeks, but it had hardly been done in the manner that we had intended.

I am a lot more positive minded about next season however, even with the sudden loss of Francesco Erbini. Our defence has settled down to a regular four and players like Stuart Attewell and Pietro Alderuccio now have a full season under their belts. We are still weak in midfield, but if Vladimiro Caramel and Franco Chiavarini can steer clear of injury then we can hope for plenty of creativity, and I already know that Gaspare Pellegrino and Marco Cirillo will be consistently good in the middle. Up front Eddy Baggio is showing a lot of quality and if Daniel Fonseca can start producing his magic on a more regular basis then we have the makings of a decent team, at this level anyway.

retired_xs2khizar

- Ragusa 2003/2004 - Player Performances -

GOALKEEPERS

Nicolas Cinalli, 24, Goalkeeper (Argentinian)
(apps 13(3) - conceded 19 - clean sheets 5 - AvR 6.56)
Again not a great season for the first of our two Argentinians. Although he has sorted himself out mentally and brightened his mood, his record has not been great and even if he might not know it, he looks in danger of slipping to third choice if he isn't careful. The next chance he gets he will have to take with both hands.

Antonio Di Giovanni, 21, Goalkeeper
(apps 10 - conceded 6 - clean sheets 7 - AvR 7.40)
Was it just a coincidence that we won 7 and only lost 2 during Antonio's run in the first team? Well, if I'm honest, yes I think it was. Antonio surprised us all with his performance record, but it did happen at a time when the entire team was playing at a higher level than we previously had, and he also had that nightmare in Tivoli where he conceded five and was dropped for a few weeks. He only found his way back in due to Cinalli's injury, and although he did well I'm not getting carried away.

Giuseppe Lenea, 19, Goalkeeper
(apps 15 - conceded 14 - clean sheets 4 - MotM 1 - AvR 7.26)
After an outstanding season last season, the first half of this season was arguably even better from Giuseppe, thanks to the poor performances in front of him that led him to be over-worked. Time after time he made important saves, and then was tragically hit by a challenge that broke his leg. Fortunately he should be back to full fitness by the start of next season.

retired_xs2khizar

DEFENDERS

Dario Italia, 34, Centre Back
(apps 16 - MotM 1 - AvR 7.12)
As our backup central defender Dario has done reasonably well when called upon. There is no danger of him breaking into the first team again though.

Stefano Guastella, 20, Right Back
(apps 5(2) - Assists 1 - AvR 7.00)
Stefano showed promise last season but has been the victim of Danilo Sabellini's good form this year, relegating him to a permanent position on the bench. It is a shame because he's a nice kid, but we can't exactly play two right-backs in the team.

Danilo Sabellini, 21, Right Wingback
(apps 37 - MotM 1 - AvR 7.18)
Danilo had a very good season, though the thing he can be most pleased about is the fact that he made a massive 37 appearances to shake off his 'injury prone' tag. The regular on the right of our increasingly settled defensive four, and in fact the most regular name on the team sheet this season.

Simone Tamburro, 30, Wingback
(apps 33 - Assists 4 - MotM 1 - AvR 6.78)
Our captain has not been quite as solid as he was last season, but then you could level that criticism at the club as a whole. His leadership is invaluable though and his place on the left of defence is not in jeopardy.

Stuart Attewell, 18, Centre Back (English)
(apps 34(1) - Assists 1 - MotM 5 - AvR 7.34)
Stuart fulfilled my expectations and more this season, often being a rock at the heart of our defence. For such a young man living so far away from home he has been fantastic, and I can already tell that he will just get better and better.

Pietro Alderuccio, 21, Centre Back
(apps 24(1) - AvR 6.51)
Although Pietro has not settled as well as I would have liked, there is a partnership there with Attewell that holds a large amount of potential. I will however expect more from him next season.

retired_xs2khizar

MIDFIELDERS

Alessandro Bonaffini, 23, Winger
(apps 15(4) - AvR 6.42)
Alessandro has continued to be the typical squad player, filling in for injuries and suspensions in a variety of positions. Although he is a good personality to have around and his attitude cannot be faulted, he will not amount to more than a backup player here.

Manolo Manoni, 27, Winger
(apps 22(7) - Goals 3 - Assists 3 - AvR 6.65)
I said 12 months ago that I would hope Manolo would not be needed to make as many appearances next season, and yet here he is with an almost identical record to the one he had back then. He has continued to chip in with the occasional goal, but if we are able to find a suitable replacement on the left than the sooner the better.

Gaspare Pellegrino, 21, Centre Midfield
(apps 35 - Goals 1 - Assists 2 - MotM 2 - AvR 7.42)
I immediately warmed to Gaspare when I first arrived due to his committed and determined displays, and he remains unashamedly the manager's favourite player. Always the first name on the team sheet, he was even handed the captain's armband on the occasions that Tamburro was unavailable.

Vladimiro Caramel, 35, Attacking Midfield
(apps 23(2) - Goals 2 - Assists 4 - MotM 2 - AvR 7.48)
Vladi hasn't quite matched the heights that he reached last season, which I hope was due to his injuries and the underachievements of the team as a whole, rather than age catching up with him. Reality would suggest it is that, but he will still remain part of the first team for at least one more season.

Franco Chiavarini, 24, Right Midfield (Argentinian)
(apps 24(4) - Goals 3 - Assists 6 - MotM 1 - AvR 6.85)
Franco's first season in Ragusa has been satisfactory, contributing a respectable amount of assists and looking lively when he's on form. He has a tendency to drift out of games sometimes, but on the whole he has done quite well and appears to enjoy linking up with Eddy Baggio down the right.

retired_xs2khizar

ATTACKERS

Marco Cirillo, 27, Striker
(apps 28(1) - Goals 1 - Assists 1 - AvR 7.24)
It seems ridiculous to refer to Marco as a striker any longer, considering all of his appearances this season have been alongside Gaspare in the centre of midfield. Consistent as always, Marco can be happy with his individual performances this season.

Claudio Gallicchio, 27, Striker
(apps 25(3) - Goals 9 - Assists 7 - MotM 1 - AvR 6.78)
Claudio failed to find the consistency that I needed from him, and barring injuries to Fonseca or Baggio he will be looking at a future on the substitute's bench for the coming season. Probably the only one pleased that Erbini decided to retire this summer!

Vittorio Emanuele Lupo, 29, Striker
(apps 3(9) - Goals 2 - AvR 6.41)
If Claudio's prospects are not great, Vittorio's are even bleaker and time is not on his side. I don't expect Vittorio to play any greater role next season than he did this time round.

Daniel Fonseca, 34, Forward
(apps 33(1) - Goals 16 - Assists 9 - MotM 3 - AvR 7.11)
Daniel won the fans over with his flashes of brilliance and he didn't fail to impress me either. If he can improve on this year and enjoy an even better one next season then the club will surely benefit greatly.

Eddy Baggio, 29, Striker
(apps 9(3) - Goals 3 - Assists 5 - AvR 7.33)
I have been quietly thrilled by Eddy's start to his career here. He works so very hard for the team, a real powerhouse in attack that defenders in this division will struggle to cope with. Good in the air, strong in the challenge, fit, quick, and if he can cover for the loss of Erbini by taking over the goalscoring mantle then it will surely be the best £1,000 this club has ever spent.

retired_alok

There is only one word for this thread, absolutely magnificent, PLEASE kepp updating it!!

retired_xs2khizar

Thank you for the very kind words Juventinogdt and Ninjafish, I hope you continue to enjoy it


Saturday 3rd July 2004

52,000 fans in Lisbon saw the hosts knocked out of the Euro 2004 Quarter Finals; Alessandro Del Piero's second goal came in extra time and gave Italy a 2-1 win over Portugal to progress to the semis. There were further extra time antics between Holland and France, where at 1-1, 20 year old Feyenoord defender Glenn Loovens was the unlikely player in the right place to stab home a corner and put the holders out.

Deportivo's Joe Cole inspired England to beat Spain 2-0, and Germany eased past Greece by the same scoreline with Miroslav Klose's 5th goal of the competition. This means that the Euro 2004 Semi Finals will see Italy facing Holland, and yet again England meet Germany in the penultimate round of a major tournament.


Meanwhile we have been busy searching for a replacement chief scout after Enrico left us earlier in the summer. That man is 47 year old Vincenzo Barbieri, a Sicilian born and bred.


Wednesday 7th July 2004

There's yet more heartache for England to go with the memories of 1990 and 1996, though at least this time there is no penalty shootout. Early goals from Miroslav Klose and Michael Ballack are enough to sustain Darius Vassell's second half reply and Germany beat England 2-1.

A 15th minute header from Christian Vieri gave Italy a deserved 1-0 win over Holland in the other semi final, bringing Vieri level with Klose on 6 goals in the tournament. Italy will face Germany on Sunday to see who will be the new European champions.


Sunday 11th July 2004

In a match between two hard-working teams the Euro 2004 grand finale turned into a disappointing and typically uninspiring affair, where Germany regained the trophy that they had won in 1996 by grinding out a 2-1 victory over Italy. Neither Christian Vieri nor Miroslav Klose got in on the goalscoring act in the final but will share the golden boot.

retired_xs2khizar

Tuesday 28th July 2004

The summer transfer activity gets underway now that focus can be shifted away from Euro 2004. Champions League Quarter Finallists Fenerbahce beat several English and Spanish clubs to the signing of Spanish international Gaizka Mendieta, for £10.75 million. Big-spending Atletico Madrid double that by splashing out £22.5 million on Denilson, who despite his success at Betis had decided that he needed a new challenge.

At the opposite end of the scale, Serie B team Palermo, a fellow Sicilian club, announce that the receivers have been brought in to deal with their financial crisis.


Monday 9th August 2004

This week saw our pre-season preparations begin with two friendly matches to shake off the summer lethargy, when we entertained Siracusa and then visited Palmese. The Siracusa game was unsurprisingly sluggish and we stumbled to a 1-2 defeat, with Giuseppe Lenea coming for the last 10 minutes to play his first match since he broke his leg back in November last year.

An Eddy Baggio hattrick gave us a 3-2 win in the other friendly at Palmese yesterday, but agonisingly Lenea managed to dislocate his shoulder and will be back on the treatment table for another 2 months! Now that's bad luck. He wasn't the only one to suffer an injury either, as captain Simone Tamburro picked up a calf strain and will miss the next 2 weeks of pre-season training.


Monday 23rd August 2004

There is plenty of big transfer news floating around European football in the last week or so, starting with Brazilian star Ronaldo joining Spanish outfit Malaga for £17.5 million, finally ending his increasingly frustrating stay at Real Madrid.

Another player relieved to end his association with a club is Jonathan Greening, who has left Liverpool to return to the north-east with Newcastle United, after an unhappy 8 months on merseyside. Liverpool reclaim almost all of the £7.5 million they spent on Greening and use it to go towards the massive £15 million transfer of AC Milan's decorated midfielder and Italian international Gennaro Ivan Gattuso. Gattuso stated his joy at getting the chance to play in a team managed by Ottmar Hitzfeld, the German coach who left Bayern Munich to become Liverpool manager back in March, and Gattuso claimed that he has long wished to play under the guidance of such an esteemed coach.

Real Betis, Spanish league champions for two seasons running, have set about spending most of the £22 million they received recently from the reluctant sale of Denilson. First in is Tottenham's Robbie Keane for £11 million, whose UEFA Cup exploits last season alerted a host of top clubs across Europe, and he is followed by the £6 million capture of highly rated Brazilian right-back Mancini from Atletico Mineiro.

retired_kamccallon

I'm with them, still reading it and definitely still loving it. KUTGW nerf