Colm Kavanagh asks are there...
TOO MANY GAMES?
However, I've noticed increasing talk (excuses for failure perhaps?) over the past few days — talk that could possibly affect Everton Football Club somewhere down the road...
I've thoroughly enjoyed this World Cup as it has sprung shock after shock after shock. The quality of play may not have pleased the purists at times but it's been refreshing to see teams taking each other on in a positive manner from the off. The tail wagging the dog before reality set in? Results like those we've witnessed should provide our cash strapped Club with enough incentive to do better this coming season! Well, we can but wish I suppose.
The one worrying thing though, that I've taken from this World Cup is the growing whispering campaign for a decrease in the number of games in the future at club level — too many games in the domestic calendar having an effect on the preparation and quality of performance on the international stage (as seen during this World Cup perhaps?). As a result, lovers of good football were denied the chance to see the mighty French, Italians and Argentineans grace the stage for long.
Nonsense! They were not good enough on the day. No excuses.
It was interesting to hear Sven Goran Eriksson point to a never-ending domestic campaign as a major factor in England's departure before the postcards safely landed home. Citing tiredness among his squad he pointed a finger towards the domestic season and suggested a winter break as a possible aid to his plans in the future. Why? Prior to losing against Brazil the talk was not of tired limbs and ever lengthening seasons but of winning the World Cup and bringing football "home".
I'm not necessarily disagreeing with the notion of a winter break at some stage (Christmas/New Year?) but I would have cause for concern if the powers that be decreed that the number of League games played by Premiership clubs needed reducing, in order to facilitate the wishes and desires of the international set up.
Firstly, a reduction in numbers means a rise in stress levels for Evertonians! Finishing somewhere between thirteenth and fifteenth cuts it a bit fine in a League consisting of twenty teams — one foot out of the grave you could argue. With less teams in the top flight the chances of falling through that drop door automatically increase. Call that doom and gloom if you like but our form over the past number of seasons forever points to an inconsistent struggle. We can but live in hope that the new manager, Mr Moyes, can instill some of that missing confidence and guide us towards the higher echelons of the Premiership.
A reduction in numbers obviously means a reduction in fixtures (rocket science, eh?!). We are in no position, financially, to afford absorbing the loss of income home fixtures bring (and no — that's not a reference to meat and potato pie sales!). Whilst it might appear on the surface to be a reduction of only two home fixtures it's not really that long ago we lived in a world where we played 21 home games and fulfilled a calendar of 42 League games. A further reduction of fixtures surely does not support the business of our Club? No, an enforced reduction in numbers will only go towards serving those Clubs involved in the farcical European Champions League Love-In — and, sorry Blues, we are a world away from joining the G14 and their bosom buddies. Domestic league football may well be the bread and butter (which we depend on) whilst participating in the money-laden Chumpions (sic) League allows you to add some honey to the bread and butter!
The notion that a winter break or a reduced number of games will benefit the international game is ludicrous as history has shown that clubs are more than eager to avail of blank dates in the football calendar to fulfill lucrative fixtures abroad — in far flung places like the Middle East and Asia.
I think we're entering an era where players (and those who pay excessive wages) care more for the financial rewards earned via competitions like the Chumpions League instead of the supposed glory and honour that comes with World Cup success. People have been quick to link the demise of countries like France and Italy (England also?) with a number of their players being involved in the latter stages of the competition, i.e. tired bodies being asked too much after a long hard season. The simple answer to that lies with another question — how many Brazilians play with European clubs involved in the be all and end all that appears to be the case with the Chumpions League? Ditto the Germans!
There are too many games being played in Europe and with crowd attendances hardly proving to be inspiring (recall the case of spot the crowd when Juventus "entertained" Arsenal?), then surely it is here where matters need most attention. God be with the days when champions alone qualified for the European Cup!
If, in time to come, we do see a reduction of numbers in the Premiership, to suit the needs of others, then it's time to pack your bags and head home. The boat will have left the dock and those on the quay can wave goodbye to whatever ambitions they had. We'll live to see a really big name bite the dust with the way football (as a business) is headed. Clubs like Leeds United, Chelsea and Newcastle United have been touted as possible casualties, their need for Chumpions League inclusion being a must in order to balance the books. Long forgotten are clubs like Southport, Workington Town, Barrow.
The first so called big club to fold won't be forgotten as easily. I fear that day is coming sooner rather than later and though, for the life of me, I don't actually think it will be Everton Football Club, it looks increasingly likely that certain clubs are calling the shots about how the game is run and who gets the largest piece of pie. Unfortunately for ourselves we are not at that top table. We're stuck down the hall and unable to hear those whispers from the very top. Be wary! Tough times ahead with the so-called Beautiful Game!
Colm Kavanagh 2 July 2002
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