David EdwardsNorth Out For Prelim, Whilst Butcher Out of A-League
February 7th 2007 13:08
The A-League has had a vicious day today, as one star player is bundled out of the do or die preliminary match between Adelaide and Newcastle, whilst a coach is shown the door after his side exits the finals last weekend.
First of all we head to the Newcastle Jets, who are now at the moment planning their next move after their defender Jade North was suspended for the prelim against Adelaide after the FFA found him guilty of violent conduct during the Jets semi final 2-0 win over Sydney last Friday.
The suspension, which was for two matches but with one suspended until the end of the 2007 season, has placed the Jets in the hot seat as they now have to adjust their defensive line that has been unstoppable in the last three matches, only allowing in two goals.
The violent charge was due to an alleged head butt that North threw during the final stages of the first half towards Iain Fyfe, and whilst tempers flared across the pitch for a number of reasons, it was this incident that caught the eye of the FFA.
Whilst I personally believe that the head butt did not actually make contact with Fyfe, who fell to the ground like he was shot, but I believe the FFA have actually made the right decision with North. The intention was their, and regardless if the head made contact at all, it was the fact that he acted that way that deserves a suspension.
The FFA have been extremely fair and reasonable with this judgement. It is severe enough as North will miss out on what is pontentially the final game for Newcastle this season, but they were aware of the whole situation, and have thrown the lifeline that if the Jets pull through to face up against Melbourne in the Grand Final, North will be able to participate.
It shows that they are not afraid to try and eliminate all the negative factors within the domestic league, whilst at the same time are fully understandable that during the heat of the final stages, and the fact that contact was not made, North should not be forced out of the biggest game of the season. It was a fair call that shows the FFA are able to spare the whip from time to time.
Now on to Sydney, where at the moment they are going through yet another crisis, as rumours have been circulating from various media outlets that Terry Butcher has been sacked as coach for Sydney FC. After dropping out of the finals race last Friday against Newcastle, it is mentioned that the board has agreed to let Butcher go after only one season in a two year deal, and will now look for a new coach once more for the club.
The sacking is, simply put, the perfect end to a horror season for the Sydney FC. Losing marquee players, breaching the salary cap, war of words between coach and chairman, plus an injury list that the St. Kilda Saints would cringe at means that most of the board and players of the club would be extremely glad to see the end of the second A-League season.
What I cannot comprehend is the fact that despite all these obstacles this year, Butcher has still been able to lead the side to the finals when half way through the season it seemed that all hope was lost. Losing players such as Dwight Yorke would have made many a coach cry in the corner, but it did not seem to phase Butcher. With an injury list so long that to fill the bench they had to sign players from other clubs during the finals, the former English player still got the side to the top four of the season.
Personally I do not think that the board are seeing the big picture. Maybe after winning the championship last season gave them delusions of grandeur, but after the year they had some would say they were lucky not to finish second last. A constantly changing squad list means that the coach had to constantly change his strategy each and every game, something that Butcher seemed to do quite well considering how the finished up this season.
Many are commenting that the final straw for Butcher was after the loss, he went to thank the fans, but did not console his players in being dropped out of the finals. That should be a compliment, not an insult. After going into the leg with a goal advantage, Sydney lost it to a side that they should have been able to contain in defence quite easily. What Butcher did was show his support for the most loyal and aggressive people the entire season, the supporters. After the year they went through and still support the squad, they deserve a medal for their loyalty and bravery.
Butcher just went to the people he thought had paid him the biggest support and show of strength throughout the season. But now he is gone, and the saga drags on, as Sydney must now sign players, and a coach, for the Asian Champions League next month, all within the week. Nothing happens quietly for Sydney, that’s for sure.
Until next time, sports minds.
First of all we head to the Newcastle Jets, who are now at the moment planning their next move after their defender Jade North was suspended for the prelim against Adelaide after the FFA found him guilty of violent conduct during the Jets semi final 2-0 win over Sydney last Friday.
The suspension, which was for two matches but with one suspended until the end of the 2007 season, has placed the Jets in the hot seat as they now have to adjust their defensive line that has been unstoppable in the last three matches, only allowing in two goals.
The violent charge was due to an alleged head butt that North threw during the final stages of the first half towards Iain Fyfe, and whilst tempers flared across the pitch for a number of reasons, it was this incident that caught the eye of the FFA.
Whilst I personally believe that the head butt did not actually make contact with Fyfe, who fell to the ground like he was shot, but I believe the FFA have actually made the right decision with North. The intention was their, and regardless if the head made contact at all, it was the fact that he acted that way that deserves a suspension.
The FFA have been extremely fair and reasonable with this judgement. It is severe enough as North will miss out on what is pontentially the final game for Newcastle this season, but they were aware of the whole situation, and have thrown the lifeline that if the Jets pull through to face up against Melbourne in the Grand Final, North will be able to participate.
It shows that they are not afraid to try and eliminate all the negative factors within the domestic league, whilst at the same time are fully understandable that during the heat of the final stages, and the fact that contact was not made, North should not be forced out of the biggest game of the season. It was a fair call that shows the FFA are able to spare the whip from time to time.
Now on to Sydney, where at the moment they are going through yet another crisis, as rumours have been circulating from various media outlets that Terry Butcher has been sacked as coach for Sydney FC. After dropping out of the finals race last Friday against Newcastle, it is mentioned that the board has agreed to let Butcher go after only one season in a two year deal, and will now look for a new coach once more for the club.
The sacking is, simply put, the perfect end to a horror season for the Sydney FC. Losing marquee players, breaching the salary cap, war of words between coach and chairman, plus an injury list that the St. Kilda Saints would cringe at means that most of the board and players of the club would be extremely glad to see the end of the second A-League season.
What I cannot comprehend is the fact that despite all these obstacles this year, Butcher has still been able to lead the side to the finals when half way through the season it seemed that all hope was lost. Losing players such as Dwight Yorke would have made many a coach cry in the corner, but it did not seem to phase Butcher. With an injury list so long that to fill the bench they had to sign players from other clubs during the finals, the former English player still got the side to the top four of the season.
Personally I do not think that the board are seeing the big picture. Maybe after winning the championship last season gave them delusions of grandeur, but after the year they had some would say they were lucky not to finish second last. A constantly changing squad list means that the coach had to constantly change his strategy each and every game, something that Butcher seemed to do quite well considering how the finished up this season.
Many are commenting that the final straw for Butcher was after the loss, he went to thank the fans, but did not console his players in being dropped out of the finals. That should be a compliment, not an insult. After going into the leg with a goal advantage, Sydney lost it to a side that they should have been able to contain in defence quite easily. What Butcher did was show his support for the most loyal and aggressive people the entire season, the supporters. After the year they went through and still support the squad, they deserve a medal for their loyalty and bravery.
Butcher just went to the people he thought had paid him the biggest support and show of strength throughout the season. But now he is gone, and the saga drags on, as Sydney must now sign players, and a coach, for the Asian Champions League next month, all within the week. Nothing happens quietly for Sydney, that’s for sure.
Until next time, sports minds.
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