Thus ends a totally forgettable season for Sydney FC. I know that when it comes to fans, I’m the “borderline fickle” type who demands 110% and gets very unhappy when expectations are not met, but even so, this season would have tested the sturdiest FC fan.
Excuses from the coach and players are usually forthcoming on a day like this, and they’re typically disguised behind comments such as “I’m not offering excuses, but…”
However, I think this season we actually have excuses, and in the spirit of not smashing Kossie too much (cos seriously, who else is out there? Graham Arghhhnold?!), I offer you thus:
· Transfers – The A-League doesn’t have a transfer policy, or rather, it states that teams aren’t allowed to pay transfer fees (which means that it DOES have a transfer policy doesn’t it…?) therefore the only way to sign players is to pick them up on free transfer. A kicker to this the famous Bosman ruling, which some mediocre Belgium player (Mr Bosman, in case you were wondering) put in place in the late 90’s when he won a court injunction, forcing his team to release him from his contract so he can hop to another no-name team. The ramification this has dealt to the footballing world has been monumental. Players who are now in the final six months of their contracts are allowed to pre-sign with another team for the next season. This means that they can either hold their current club for ransom for a massive re-signing fee, or in the case of about half the Sydney squad, sign for another team and play out the current season half hearted. I know all the guys who have done so will say that they are professionals and will honour their contracts, but the image we fans have of them are already tainted.
· Injuries – The old faithful. The best and last resort of any coach in the Excuses Manual. But it’s fairly applicable this season, with a majority of the side falling victim. The fact that five youngsters can force their way into the first team squad IN ONE SEASON (!!) pretty much tells you how many gaps needed plugging. Losing Poppa mid-season was a massive blow.
· John Aloisi – We’re paying him $700,000 per goal so far. But $2.50 for each missed sitter…
· Revolving door – Heaps of new signings at the beginning of the season brought about much anticipation. But one thing or another – Olympics, injuries, suspensions – threw everyone’s rhythm out and the team never really looked like they gelled at all this year.
So what now for next season? Who knows, Sydney is as predictable as a 99 ball lottery, so it seriously could end up anywhere.
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