Should league games be postponed for teams while in Europe ?

**Tony Soprano** · 19/07/2010, 12:17 AM

seems to me summer football is starting to be a mixed blessing with weekend league games compromising teams preparations for Europe

I think no team in Europe should have to play a weekend league fixture between European ties (unless there is a two week gap between the European games as occurs between rounds three and four - in this case play a league game in the midweek slot between the rounds, leaving a week to prepare for the next Euro game)

To do this, and to minimise disruption to other teams, follow this procedure

round 1 - Dundalk scheduled at home on both weekends before the round 1 Euro games. postpone these games until later in the season

round 2 - schedule Dundalk, Fingal, rovers and bohs to play each other on the two weekends before these Euro games - then postpone them until later in the year. keep rovers and bohs apart (to ensure these derby games are played on a weekend later) teams not in Europe unaffected

round 3 - first weekend (before first leg), same as before (some combination of Fingal, Rovers, Bohs, Dundalk but not Rovers v bohs, all postponed)
second weekend (before second leg)- for these games we would have enough notice to know who is still in Europe and to change the fixtures accordinglya eg. if fingal and dundalk out by now, have them play each other, other games would be postponed

have clubs to catch up a league game in the midweek slot between rounds 3 and 4

round 4 - same deal - some games could go ahead, others would be postponed as applicable. plenty of notice for this round

anyone think this should be done ?

disadvantage - more midweek games (possibly smaller crowds) and possible fixture congestion later in the season. (maybe extend the season by one week)

though i suspect clubs involved would take it and it only affects two games involving teams not in Europe (both of which would be away games to Dundalk)

**TheBoss** · 19/07/2010, 12:41 AM

I agree that the teams involved in european competition should play each other but during the the 2-3 week break. They would have played more games than the others at the time and then the others will catch up when the european games are on.

**Tony Soprano** · 19/07/2010, 12:47 AM

Originally Posted by TheBoss

I agree that the teams involved in european competition should play each other but during the the 2-3 week break. They would have played more games than the others at the time and then the others will catch up when the european games are on.

but then they won't get a break, wouldn't that be a problem re holidays etc ?

why not just postpone the games - we're not talking many

Rovers and Fingal (if they go out next week) will only have 3 postponed

Dundalk 5 games, Bohs 6 (if they go through)

**mypost** · 19/07/2010, 6:57 AM

Simple. Increase the size of the league, meaning less games and more free weeks.

**Dodge** · 19/07/2010, 7:12 AM

No, the league shouldn't postpone games. Doesn't happen in any other league in the world.

**refjohn** · 19/07/2010, 8:56 AM

Teams in Europe shoudl be scheduled to meet each other in July. However they should then be expected to find dates in April, May and June to play the games if they dont want to play on the in between weekends. If a team makes a later stage - e.g. final qualifying round and have to go further than somewhere like Prague then the ability to postpone when returning from away game should be an option.
What is irritating is when clubs find themselves flying home from Azerbijan or equivalent on a Thursday night and having to get to other end of country on Sunday - some common sense could alleviate that at scheduling time.

**Straightstory** · 19/07/2010, 9:58 AM

I think fixtures should be postponed. I thought this did happen in recent years.

**sullanefc** · 19/07/2010, 10:06 AM

Yes they should be postponed. When fixtures are being formulated in Feb, this should be taken into account. Get all the teams in Europe play a few midweek home ties in advance and a few after, and there is no problem.

It should not be done in such a way that it might penalise non european teams. If a team not participating in Europe has a couple of home games called off because of other teams in Europe, then it could affect them financially.

A bit of thought and planning at the start of the season, and this whole issue could be avoided.

**Dodge** · 19/07/2010, 10:06 AM

Originally Posted by refjohn

What is irritating is when clubs find themselves flying home from Azerbijan or equivalent on a Thursday night and having to get to other end of country on Sunday - some common sense could alleviate that at scheduling time.

This hasn't happened though. Pats played on a Monday night the weekend after playing in Russia. Fingal are playing tonight after being in Portugal (Madeira) last Thursday. Common sense IMO

**Guinney** · 19/07/2010, 11:37 AM

I think fixtures should be postponed or better still when the fixture list is being complied format to have less games in July, when teams our in Europe. The FAI should change things around to help the teams that are in Europe progress as far as they possibly can. The current format hinders progress. It can be argued teams like Dundalk should have larger squads but the reality is Dundalk can't afford to pay out more wages at the moment to get more players in.

I believe the league needs to be revamped. Firstly, the league needs to be made longer - 8 months is to short. Its not fair in the players who play to many games and this affects their performaces as they are to tired and can't adequately prepare for games. Another factor that needs to be consider is the supporters. The cost of all these games is far to much for many and attendances drop as a result. Also the quality of the games are much poorer as players can't play to their potential.

Another solution is to extend the number of teams in the league to 16 teams. This would mean there would be only 30 league games and also teams wouldn't be playing each 4 times (minimum) a year. However, an arguement could be made that there isn't 16 good teams out there to make a competitive league. But the high standard in the first division this year shows that there could well be. There is two giants in the first division - Cork and Derry, plus other teams with potential like Limerick, Waterford, Shelbourne, Finn Harps, Monaghan and so on.

**marinobohs** · 19/07/2010, 12:53 PM

Originally Posted by Guinney

I think fixtures should be postponed or better still when the fixture list is being complied format to have less games in July, when teams our in Europe. The FAI should change things around to help the teams that are in Europe progress as far as they possibly can. The current format hinders progress. It can be argued teams like Dundalk should have larger squads but the reality is Dundalk can't afford to pay out more wages at the moment to get more players in.

I believe the league needs to be revamped. Firstly, the league needs to be made longer - 8 months is to short. Its not fair in the players who play to many games and this affects their performaces as they are to tired and can't adequately prepare for games. Another factor that needs to be consider is the supporters. The cost of all these games is far to much for many and attendances drop as a result. Also the quality of the games are much poorer as players can't play to their potential.

Another solution is to extend the number of teams in the league to 16 teams. This would mean there would be only 30 league games and also teams wouldn't be playing each 4 times (minimum) a year. However, an arguement could be made that there isn't 16 good teams out there to make a competitive league. But the high standard in the first division this year shows that there could well be. There is two giants in the first division - Cork and Derry, plus other teams with potential like Limerick, Waterford, Shelbourne, Finn Harps, Monaghan and so on.

Its Ireland and the LOI so dont hold your breath waiting on anything to be done

. Personally think clubs competing in Europe SHOULD have the optio or postponements. Never understand why League has to be finished by a designated date. Allowing a couple of extra weeks would not be a problem.

**Real ale Madrid** · 19/07/2010, 1:04 PM

Originally Posted by sullanefc

A bit of thought and planning at the start of the season, and this whole issue could be avoided.

Completely agree - the 4 teams involved could easily make up the fixtures earlier or after.

We need to give our clubs every possible chance to do well in Europe, giving them a break between these games is vital.

But also, the time to be kicking up a fuss about this is at the start of the season BEFORE the fixtures are released. Not now when everything is already set in stone.

Amateur stuff all round really.

**Dodge** · 19/07/2010, 1:24 PM

Without doubt the fixtures have to be looked at it. They didn't take into account any of the European or Setanta fixtures this year, and they never had.

As has been said, decent planning averts most of the major problems.

The problem with just blanket postponing games means that some clubs could be 2/3 weeks without a fixture (Pats, for example, play Dundalk, Fingal and Bohs in 3 weeks, all following euro games).

**Bohs11** · 19/07/2010, 1:26 PM

Would the simple thing not to just get rid of that June break, make the season longer and just postpone these games to give Irish teams the optimal chance at progression in Europe.

**Dodge** · 19/07/2010, 1:40 PM

Originally Posted by Bohs11

Would the simple thing not to just get rid of that June break, make the season longer and just postpone these games to give Irish teams the optimal chance at progression in Europe.

Seriously, why do Bohs need 10 days rest to play at home to TNS (as it would be if their game was cancelled)?

Then what happends if they get through. Are those games already called off? So Bohs could go 6 weeks without a league game?

makes no sense at all

**Tony Soprano** · 19/07/2010, 2:14 PM

Originally Posted by mypost

Simple. Increase the size of the league, meaning less games and more free weeks.

12 team leagues and especially 10 team leagues don't work in my opinion - there isn't a single 10 or 12 team league anywhere in the world that is thriving

though I agree 12 teams would be better than 10

16 teams better again

18 or 20 best long term IMO

some games lower quality but would give teams currently in the FD a big boost and more stability, most would be in the new PD, 2 or 4 would be in a new FD (and probably challenging for promotion), in the long term the league would be stronger for it

Originally Posted by Dodge

No, the league shouldn't postpone games. Doesn't happen in any other league in the world.

do you know that for a fact ?

anyway is there another league for whom success in Europe is so important in improving its credibility / profile ? I'm not sure there is

postponing these games could be the difference between Rovers getting to play Juventus or not, and may have led to Dundalk avoiding a thrashing in Sofia. Fingal could well make the 4th round. these are big prizes an crucial for the development of the league

**Dodge** · 19/07/2010, 2:18 PM

First of all I disagree that european progression is the be all and end all.

Secondly of all*, whats your solution for Bohs who would have 6 weeks without a league game.

*Its an arrested development thign

**Tony Soprano** · 19/07/2010, 2:34 PM

Originally Posted by Dodge

First of all I disagree that european progression is the be all and end all.

Secondly of all*, whats your solution for Bohs who would have 6 weeks without a league game.

*Its an arrested development thign

its a problem they would love to have. becuase it would mean 6 European games (all of which they were in optimum condition for)

one game could be picked up in the midweek slot bewteen rounds 3 and 4

their likely title rivals would be games down too

make up the games later in then season - thats the best solution. expand the season by one week or have a spare weekend at some point or play them midweek or on FAI Cup weekends if teams knocked out early

maybe give them a bye in one of the early rounds of the league cup or even FAI Cup allowing them to play a league game, meaning they are 1 league game ahead of the rest going into these games

lots of possibilties - anything would be better than the current situation

in my opinion European progression is the single biggest thing which willl help the club incraese its wealth, p-restige, profile and credibility - it is crucial

**Tony Soprano** · 19/07/2010, 2:50 PM

Originally Posted by Real ale Madrid

Completely agree - the 4 teams involved could easily make up the fixtures earlier or after.

We need to give our clubs every possible chance to do well in Europe, giving them a break between these games is vital.

But also, the time to be kicking up a fuss about this is at the start of the season BEFORE the fixtures are released. Not now when everything is already set in stone.

Amateur stuff all round really.

clubs should be lobbying for a change for next season - whenever this decision is made I don't know, but they should be requesting it for next season

**DazH** · 19/07/2010, 3:27 PM

Yes clubs should reserve the right to postpone games, particularly away games, because progress in Europe should be paramount. As we live in a country of event-junkies, where most of the population hop on the bandwagon of any sporting success, imagine what 6 champions league group games would do for the League, it would be huge and hopefully generate sustained interest among the public