Nil Love For Nix
Like clockwork discussions over the prolonged A-League offseason take place, some topics more predictable than others and some evoking more passion. Whilst the ‘B-League’ (No not the one with Sam Mac and Jules) will be the favourite topic of discussion until the foreseeable future, or at least until the FFA prove they are able to think laterally and entertain the idea.
Personally I think we should put that discussion on the back burner for a little while and start discussing matters that can actually be obtainable in the short term. Promotion and relegation will always be a subject that many feel passionate about and rightly so but until we’re all relatively on the same page the tiered system won’t happen in Australia.
Playing club football during a sanctioned international break has always been a bugbear for me, and the upcoming season is no different. The FFA continue to schedule A-League games during these times and as further salt into the wounds even start the season during an international weekend. Many clubs in the league won’t be affected by this action but Wellington in particular will be severely hampered by this and this will have consequences to their final standing in the table. The twenty-seven week season is long enough to provide opportunity for teams to face each other three times but whilst we continue to play through times where players are subject to internationals we cannot say our fixture is fair and equitable.
Surely in 2016/17 we have reached the point where clubs can appeal to the league and apply for the postponement of some games. The first round fixture between Wellington and Melbourne City appears to be the perfect example for this, and they should listen to any request of any club. Phoenix could be without up to five quality players, and City without boom recruit Tim Cahill and this will have a dramatic affect on the standard of the game, and possibly any desired result. A-League fans don’t want to be subjected to substandard squads during any international break and to compromise the standard of play only hampers the league.
Phoenix will be under strength for the first two games of the season and in November and May during World Cup qualifiers and this shouldn’t be happening.
Moving a handful of games throughout the season would actually improve the league, and whilst fixture congestion could become an issue if we manage this and plan early enough it’s very unavoidable. Surely the league has reached the stage now where we can afford to move some games around to improve the quality of the league and the integrity of the league table. Given that the main focus in early October will be surrounding the Sydney derby and the Socceroos and Japan clash there is no reason not to move the Phoenix and City game.
The FFA need to become more flexible and adaptable in the current sporting market and have to make the right decisions for the benefit of the league. Promotion/Relegation might be some ways off but chipping away and making small changes like moving a few fixtures around will help improve our league. Getting all our ducks in a row is paramount as football and the A-League approach a very important period for the growth of the sport.
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