Comments on: Djite was right to go, but Adelaide was right to play hardball

By: Millster

Millster — Fri, 16 May 2008 07:19:45 +0000

I’m with Ben - the truly disgraceful deal of the A-League is the one SFC made over Carney. Ouch!

I also am very glad to see you get stuck into the inadequacy of the increases in the salary cap. By the time you take away 4% for inflation, you’re talking a cap movement of around 5% a year when the league should be growing in both quantity and quality at around 20% or more per year. So hurrah to your call for much more ambitious steps in the cap. I’d go so far as to say that there is no point in investing in 2-4 new teams but restricting them to spending caps that ensure mediocrity. 8 better funded clubs that can ensure a sprinkling of developing stars, and a higher overall quality of play, is a better proposition to me at least.

On the other hand I’m not totally with your bagging of the youth marquee concept. While - like you - I think the $150000 amount is too modest (I’d allow for half a million to be split between at least 2 U23 players) I do think that the philosophy is spot on and should be encouraged in principle. Far better to properly fund Aussie players on the way up than foreign players on their way down.

By: Kazama

Kazama — Fri, 16 May 2008 07:10:17 +0000

As an Adelaide boy I’m sad to see Bruce go, but it was always going to happen. I think our club did the right thing - I said to someone yesterday that we’d be stupid to let him go for less than $500k. I wish Bruce had kept his mouth shut and not soured his exit like he has, but that’s life. Hopefully he scores the goal that gets us into the ACL quarters next week and he’ll leave Adelaide a hero, as he deserves to.

I wish Bruce the best of luck on his European adventure, hopefully it is everything it promises to be. As for United, hopefully the club puts that money to good use. It will be used to buy a Brazilian stiker from Willem II if the local rag is to be believed, though his goals per game record doesn’t look that great. A pity we only seem to be looking at Brazilians when we have so much talent running around in the leagues of our near-neighbours.

The money here is never going to be enough to stop our kids from going to Europe, unless of course we can find a Roman Abramovich for each of our clubs. Until that happens (or Europe is wiped out by an asteroid), we’ll never be more than a glorified feeder league.

By: Ben

Ben — Fri, 16 May 2008 06:55:21 +0000

Interesting you highlight the transfer fee the Jets got for Carle as a pittance when it was 4 times what Sydney received for Carney, and included an sell one clause as well! Us poor old Jets, so called “journos” love to put the boot into us.

As for calling Bruce the best player in the A-League it’s a good thing you put arguably there. One of the best ‘potentials’ in the league no doubt, but to be called the best he’d need a bit of consistency and playing 12 games last year kinda puts a hole in that argument.

By: Ben of Phnom Penh

Ben of Phnom Penh — Fri, 16 May 2008 01:25:25 +0000

I’ve been waxing lyrical about Bruce for a couple of years now and it is interesting to note that Pim appears to regard him as the next striker in line after Viduka, McDonald & Kennedy which is not bad for a young kid who plays a type of game that requires maturity in both body and mind. I think that the relationship between Bruce and Adelaide remains excellent which is best shown by his enthusiasm in playing the crucial ACL game in China on Wednesday.

However all said and done the u23 marquee is more suited to those like Nick Ward, who have the talent however have not had a ripping success overseas due to various factors, than those like Bruce who are looking for the next step which is more about opportunity than cash. You could pay Bruce a lot more however this is not bringing him much closer to his dreams of playing in Europe. Turkey does.

By: sledgeross

sledgeross — Fri, 16 May 2008 01:03:44 +0000

I think Zadko going was good. He was never going to develop here, because he though he was better than he was. he will get shown up over there as somewhat of an imposter, and that will make him a better player in the long run, because he does have talent. Im not so sure with Bruce, I hope he does well but Im not so sure he will fit in there. Good luck to him though.
What about Leeds! Marching on together! Maybe Brucey should have gone there!!!

By: Midfielder

Midfielder — Thu, 15 May 2008 22:23:59 +0000

Jes

Agree,

By: Salvation

Salvation — Thu, 15 May 2008 21:45:54 +0000

At least Nick Ward is keen to extend his Australian foray for another year. Youth Marquee aint all ineffective.

AS for if Djite’s decision was a wise one? Time will tell. I am not overly convinced…another year at AU probably better for his career, espesh with Olyroos commitments.