After seven rounds of matches there are desperate times ahead for relegation threatened HNK Sibenik, who need their new players to bed in and drive them to safety. Drazen Jelic, Niko Tokic, Ante Aracic, Marko Kartelo, Zjelko Malcic, Daniel Georgievski and Amauri have all arrived in a matter of weeks, but due to injury Sibenik have not been able to keep a consistent side.
Whilst Sibenik struggle, Inter Zapresic have improved with Antun Palic central to all the sides good work in attack. Macedonian striker Aleksander Trajkovski also seems to have added something where Albanian Arber Abiliajaj was struggling. Matija Matko is also expected to add some strength from the bench.
NK Zagreb, Rijeka, Slaven Belupo and Cibalia have as yet been untroubled at the start of the season. There is reasons to be positive for all those squads who should be challenging for a Europa Liga slot come the end of the season. RNK Split are also functioning perfectly under Ivan Katilinac after making some excellant signings. Split haven't even seen the best yet of Zvonimir Deranja as Romano Oblinovic and Bojan Golubovic has covered for him excellantly. There has even been rumours that Split could recieve offers in the winter for Golubovic.
Split will want to follow the example set by Karlovac, who are fighting hard in their second season in the Croatian top flight. Coach Igor Pamic has been keen to improve his squad, especially after transferring Mario Baric for 200,000 Euro's. However Pamic has found it hard to pursuade players that Karlovac is a worthy club to come to. Pamic was keen to sign former Osijek striker Karlo Primorac. However as the player spent the end of last season with Dinamo Zagreb and trialled with Eintract Frankfurt, it would appear the 26 year old feels he can gain a better offer. Primorac was a target for Rijeka and Slaven Belupo, but both sides now appear to have filled their striking vacancies. Whether Primorac would come back on the agenda of such sides or for Osijek or Zagreb in the winter is not known. Miroslav Saric could become a serious target for Karlovac for right midfield.
Osijek have returned to form after a poor start to the season. New players are now bedding in and Josip Barisic and Ivan Milicevic are finally back amongst the goals. Osijek's desire is to give their young players such as Pranjic, Jugovic, Vidakovic, Sorsa and Niksic every chance, before turning to the transfer market with the money they recieved from the sale of Domagoj Vida.
Varazdin have also been sitting safely, but will need to make a sale in the winter to avoid any more financial uncertainty. Josip Brezovec has been the pick of the players in the early part of the season and could gain interest abroad. Should he go there is a ready made replacement in former player Gordan Golik who is still a free agent. Rijeka coach Nenad Gracan might also be tempted to enter the transfer market to help the club kick on to the next level. Rijeka are top, but it appears only a matter of time before Dinamo Zagreb or Hajduk Split over take them. Rijeka will only be looking at free agents. Srebrenko Posavec could add creativity, whilst Marko Maric has experience in the Greek and French league and could bring something to the team. It is also thought Ivan Bosnjak is waiting for a club like Rijeka, but it is more likely Gracan would only make such a move should Radomir Dalovic transfer, as Bosnjak commands high wages.
At the bottom of the table Istra Pula have strengthened there team. Problems have been in attack, however Bosko Stupic, Edin Hadzic, Eliomar and Asim Sehic are have reputations and should really be enough to get by in HNL1. Pula need a little more in midfield from Armend Alimi and Hjorve Kovacevic. A strong central back may also be neccessary, although there are few on the market. Miroslav Saric may also be a target for Pula should the midfield not improve its performance.
