Having incurred a six-point penalty for involvement in the match fixing scandal before a ball was kicked, Siena were firm favourites for the drop. However, as Atalanta proved last season, that wasn't a deficit that was impossible to overcome. Indeed, for much of the season, Siena went about their task of achieving the improbable quite admirably despite having a modest squad of players. However, in the end, their lack of quality told and they ran out of steam at a crucial time in the season. The point deduction was perhaps not the biggest loss for the club over the summer as Giuseppe Sannino, the man who'd guided them to safety last season, left to join Palermo. The colourful Serse Cosmi, who came close to achieving the same with Lecce in the last campaign, was the man to take charge. He attempted to translate his battling qualities onto the pitch and he'd certainly have to as he inherited a squad that was painfully short on natural talent. Emanuele Calaiò was still the main goal threat up front but age and injuries seemed to catch up to him as the Tuscans barely found the back of the net in the first part of the season. Cosmi was eventually dismissed after a 4-1 thrashing in the Tuscan Derby before Christmas. Beppe Iachini was the man who'd guide the club until the end of the season but it was another arrival in the January transfer market which would almost turn around the fortunes of the club. Nigerian-born Innocent Emeghara arrived on loan and was arguably the best January signing in the entire league. The young Swiss forward found the target repeatedly whilst wins over relegation rivals, Palermo and Pescara, gave the Robur a real chance of completing the great escape. However, then came a crushing blow in late April as Siena were beaten at home by Chievo in controversial circumstances. Massimo Paci had what looked like a legitimate goal disallowed and the Flying Donkeys left with all the points. It was a setback that Siena failed to recover from as they went on to lose their next five games, confirming their relegation. It is an uncertain time for the club now as many players are getting past their sell-by-dates and the younger ones of any use, such as Emeghara, are likely to leave for greener pastures. It will be interesting to see what the summer brings for Siena.
