The news that A-League players and owners have finally managed to find some common ground and look likely to forge a new collective bargaining agreement was welcoming.
Such a move will bring a much needed sense of calm within the current climate; one where a new season looms amidst an exodus of talented players and those remaining seemingly destined to earn a little less from the game than they have in past.
In the most abnormal of years, where uncertainty and indecision have reigned, the new agreement could potentially trigger a shift to the new normal; a chance for the A-League to reset, start strongly and showcase its domestic talent with fans back in stadiums.
However, any sense that Australian football’s early steps on the long road to recovery will be mirrored around the globe is far from reality. World football appears to have been turned on its head. And it is beautiful.
Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool machine hit the skids on Sunday night, suffering a humiliating 7-2 defeat at the hands of Aston Villa; a team destined to battle away, hopeful of remaining well clear of the relegation zone in the most competitive of leagues.
As someone rather cynical when it comes to the continued dominance of a select few in the EPL, I found the result astonishingly hilarious. As I did Tottenham’s 6-1 thumping of Manchester United at Old Trafford.
Mo Salah. (Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)
Some hours earlier West Ham United secured their second consecutive win with three impressive goals against the ever-promising Leicester. Oddest of all, West Ham manager David Moyes once again called the shots in remote control from his COVID-induced isolation.
There is something so West Ham about that scenario, you know, that doing better without the manager in the stadium thing!
Australia’s favourite English club Leeds United held Manchester City to a draw and with their fourth win to start the new season, Everton moved three points clear at the top of the ladder. Frankly, it is utter madness and in turn absolutely outstanding for supporters of teams happy to see the mighty struggle and potentially, fall.
After four rounds, Everton, Villa and Leicester sit top three, Liverpool and Man U have each conceded eleven goals and Man City hold down 14th. Teams predicted to battle in 2020-21, Leeds, Newcastle, West Ham, Southampton, Crystal Palace and Wolves all sit above both Manchester clubs.
I can’t stop giggling. This is great.
Elsewhere in Europe, nine-time defending champion Juventus looks to have a serious new challenger in the shape of Lombardy-based Atalanta. Their 13 goals in three matches have set the league alight.
Juventus sit eighth early on, although are likely to move further up the ladder after Napoli failed to show up for their clash in Turin amidst COVID concerns.
Could this get any weirder?
If there ever was a time where Juve’s reign at the pointy end of Italian football was to come to an end, I guess 2020-21 would be that time.
It is a shame that some countries missed the memo. Rangers and Celtic hold sway early and will battle out the ever predictable two-way race for the title in Scotland and I am not sure who prevents Bayern Munich from snatching a boring and ninth consecutive Bundesliga title in Germany.
Frankly, few outside those countries will probably be watching; potentially more captivated by the bizarre and refreshing turn of events taking place in England.
The A-League offers more competitiveness than most Euro leagues. (Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)
As Australian football fans hope for a return to something near normal, fans of usually mid to lower table EPL clubs are enjoying rare moments in the sun; chuffed at their own play, ladder position and enjoying firing off embarrassing memes towards the usual suspects, whose seasons have not begun in the manner which they had hoped.
Should the pattern also emerge in the upcoming A-League season, who knows what we will witness. A Mariners championship run? A bumbling Sydney FC? VAR consistency? Massive television ratings and booming crowds?
I’m not sure what to predict, yet one thing is for certain. We cannot head back folks. Football and life has changed forever and perhaps that is a good thing.
Micko
Roar Rookie
CCM actually have been sold? :shocked: Who is the owner/s?
NoMates
Guest
Unfortunately for Wellington the FFA have not granted them there license extension for next season so there membership packages are on hold until its sorted out. What is good though is they can have a massive live gate unlike other A-League clubs however they only ever average 5k crowds anyway.
Tim Carter
Roar Pro
By the time that happens, will they go with a new set of qualifiers?
At work
Roar Rookie
If only it was that easy to put Kosta on JobSeeker, he certainly didn't play up to his hefty wage bill
At work
Roar Rookie
Could be a crazy idea, but maybe the Sydney clubs should all play out of ANZ stadium to allow normal crowds to attend, while still social distancing.
Kevin
Roar Rookie
I know the AFL and NRL have been allowed to have crowds back at their games. If the same applies for A-League then: Perth Glory’s capped capacity is at 10K. They usually get around 7-9K a game anyway so no issue there. Adelaide’s is a little tighter at 8K, while their average crowd is 9K, so they’re going at the limit there. Brisbane might have to remain at suncorp for a little longer, as redcliffe can only let in 5K. But the 26K cap at suncorp will be plenty for roar. Then theres the NSW Clubs, which are soon to be operating at 50%. Sydney FC would be on a tight string here, with the 10K cap squeezing out around 2K people a game. Things would be easier for the Wanderers, who can fit a maximum of 15K fans in bankwest stadium, and since they're not going that well at the moment, 15K should be fine. Newcastle and CCM’s average crowds are well below the 17K and 10K caps on their respective stadiums, so they’re good to go. As for Macarthur, they can only have a maximum of 10K a game at campbelltown. I believe Wellington can have up to 35K fans, which never happens. But it could be as low as 25% and the cap would still be higher than the phoenix’s average crowd of 8K. So its mainly the three Victorian teams which are left in the dark. Worst comes to worst, the three Victorian teams can play a large chunk of their away games early in the season, before playing a long stretch of home games later on.
Bendtner52
Roar Pro
Sydney will of course remain strong, simply because they’re the best ran club from top to bottom. However - there is no reason why a City, Adelaide, Wellington, Western United, Jets, and dare I say it - Melbourne Victory - cannot put a run together. The Wellington border issue may be interesting though
pete4
Guest
AFC Champions League will be a huge test for the Glory when it restarts
pete4
Guest
McGree was sold for $1.7m apparently so that's a very solid fee if true The others are between 18 to 23 age brackets so assume $500k average fee minimum so not bad at all I'm guessing
Stuart Thomas
Expert
I hope you are right and there is definitely some benefit in the notion of revival.
Stuart Thomas
Expert
Ouch, sounds worse when you list them doesn't it?
Stuart Thomas
Expert
It is hard to not see them having another strong season. Le Fondre a loss yet still fairly well intact.
Stuart Thomas
Expert
Thanks for those kind words Kayo. Just a few weeks back someone tried to infer I was always negative. I think your analysis is a little nearer the truth. Go the Hammers!
Stuart Thomas
Expert
I accidentally found myself at Mona Vale yesterday and it was hideous. People all over each other. Got out of there straight away after just stopping to have a look at the waves with the kids.
Stuart Thomas
Expert
My favourite Groucho line is, "Those are my principles, if you don't like them, I have others." Those lower budgets also presented a perfect opportunity to bring NPL into the fold. Yet it has been missed by the looks of things.
Roberto Bettega
Roar Rookie
Good question. Possible answers: 1. If it's good coin, they would have wanted it to be on the quiet during the CBA negotiations. 2. If it''s not good coin, or below par, they may not want that known either.
Roberto Bettega
Roar Rookie
Good point, I think you're right that we can expect to see very young squads for the next two seasons.
Roberto Bettega
Roar Rookie
It's a worry, for all sports. I can see the owners' perspective. Their annual dividend will be slashed because of the drop in broadcast revenue, sponsorship revenue will have dried up, so they really need match day revenue, and that means having crowds at games. They cannot afford to have a full season with no crowds. As it is, the A-League clubs were quite fortunate because during the most recent season, only about one quarter of its season was affected by closed stadiums.
Marcel
Guest
I know the "bumbling SFC" is a joke...but I suspect they are better placed than anyone else to negotiate the change in salary cap. ALF to India, with thanks for great service and best wishes for a final, well deserved pay day...It's time for Ivanovich to step up...and realistically if we can't offer him first team football this year we will lose him. Barbarouses to JobSeeker... nothing lost. $1.5 million saved without any serious adjustment to the squad
Kevin
Roar Rookie
In all seriousness, I’m hoping that this year is like the start of a revival for the A-League. Like an ageing AFL team thats been mediocre for several years, hovering in the mid-table, before falling off the cliff one year, prompting them to release all their veterans. They then go back to the draft and develop their young players. They might be low on the ladder for a couple of years, before they bounce back into finals action. A mass exodus has been occurring, and I expect it to continue. Older players will leave the league, and will most likely be replaced by younger players. Hopefully, these players develop and thrive in the new A-League system, resulting in a higher quality of play in a few years time. This could lead to massive benefits, like potentially higher crowds and ratings, but also an improved Socceroos outfit and maybe, more Australians in top tier European leagues. Whatever the case, improvement will take time. We might see very young and inexperienced A-League squads this year, and maybe next year. But hopefully, they prosper in the system, become very skilled players and revive football in Australia.