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Tuesday Teabag: Sydney, y'all got issues

Tuesday, February 11, 2014

In another universe, there exists an A-League that has 10 teams that are regularly competitive and feature good relationships between fans and club officials. Although some may be bumps along the way, there is never a considerable divide in a club brought on by poor results or management.

However, this is our universe and it appears that we as A-League fans are doomed to have at least one team performing horribly at any given time in the competition. It's Sydney FC's turn to be the butt of the joke.


Having won the first game of the year and losing the next three, Sydney looked to be headed in the right direction, winning the next give out of six matches and sitting pretty in the upper half of the ladder.

Since then, the Sky Blues have managed just seven points in 10 games in the form of wins over both Melbourne sides and a draw against Adelaide. The 5-0 belting of rival Melbourne Victory looked to be the turning point but since then, Sydney screwed up a one-man advantage and a 1-0 lead to lose 2-1 to Melbourne Heart and was completely outclassed by a middle-table team in Adelaide United.

The third straight loss at home also sets an unwanted new club record for consecutive home defeats.

Fans showed no signs of sympathy as one precious fan felt the need to throw his drink at head coach Frank Farina. The obviously adored coach was also the subject of a pre-game banner that read 'We want Farina out'. Fans also held up a sign in Russian directed at Russian CEO Tony Pignata and chairman Scott Barlow that read 'We want Tony Pignata and Scott Barlow out'.

The banners were later confiscated by security and members of Sydney supporter group The Cove were ejected from the stadium. Fellow Cove members then left the stadium in protest and chanted for Farina and the board to be sacked.

Calls for Farina, Pignata and Barlow to be shown the door have also made the rounds on social media as the divide between the club and its supporters begins to look startlingly similar to the one at Melbourne Victory.

Although some fans may remain hopeful, it's unlikely Farina will be shown the door with the board on his side. What this means is that the only way to get the fans and club officials on the same page again is by results being flipped and currently, that looks about as likely as Nicky Carle actually being played in his preferred position.

Speaking of Nicky Carle, he and fellow veteran midfielder Matthew Thompson have been banished from training with the rest of the squad for "tactical dissent", which is a fancy way of saying the two players think Farina's tactics aren't that good.

Usually an overhaul in tactics or on-field personnel is required but in this case, it's blatantly obvious that it's a case of both. However, it starts with the players on the pitch and in the words of Doc Brown, "It's your kids, Sydney! Something's gotta be done about your kids!"

Sydney's Youth League team took out the title on Sunday, showing that the club clearly has a number of impressive young players coming through the ranks. Despite this, the same players have continued to gain selection after continuing to make the same mistakes, especially in defence.

Then there is the growing 'should Alessandro Del Piero play on for another year?' debate. Although having Del Piero is great exposure for the A-League, it's becoming increasingly obvious that the 39-year-old is struggling with the rigors of competitive football. That hasn't stopped Leeds United from stating their interest in gaining his services but hey, that club couldn't possibly get any worse, right?

If Sydney officials were smart, they would look at the situation at rival club Melbourne Victory and work quickly to avoid it at all costs. It's obvious that fans are unhappy and want a swift change at the club while there is still a chance of making the top six. Although there is still every chance Sydney will play finals, fans can pretty much wave goodbye to any chance of officials making a change any time soon.

The sad reality is that friction within the A-League continues to grow and the situation at Sydney FC is another unfortunate chapter. The fans continue to be pushed aside and taken for granted and there is no end in sight for this trend.

But hey, at least a club that's not based in Melbourne has issues. Viva la Victoria.