IT hasn't gone unnoticed at other clubs that three players suffered long-term knee injuries in 11 days at Pirtek Stadium this month, especially after the pitch was hammered in the players' union survey that's done every round.
Unlucky Wanderers midfielder Nick Ward tore his anterior cruciate ligaments on his debut last Friday, and Manly centre Clint Gutherson suffered a similar injury on March 6 against the Eels.
On March 3 Guangzhou Evergrande's new signing Alan injured his knee during the club's training session at Pirtek the day before facing the Wanderers, and Evergrande officials were pretty upset about the pitch, which was relaid during February. Until that point it had been rated an average of 4.5 out of 5 by visiting A-League captains, but it's got just one and three out of five in the two games since.
The players' union wants the right to inspect pitches at will, but can't get agreement from the clubs.
Venues NSW insist they're not aware of any problems with the surface, and point out that it was certified fit to play prior to each of the last three A League games, and by the Asian Champions League Match Commissioner for the Evergrande game.
SBS GIVES FOOTBALL THE BOOT
THERE wasn't exactly dismay at FFA on Thursday over claims that SBS wants to can its football offerings, including the A-League. As this column reported recently, FFA suits had already lobbied government to think about ditching the A-League deal with SBS as a cost-saver, given the disastrous ratings. Now the channel seems to have come to similar conclusions itself. It means Channel Seven's coverage of the imminent Liverpool and Spurs visits, and Nine's showing the ICC tournament in July, will all become test runs as talks with various broadcasters gather pace.
REMEMBER THE DAYS ...
Arnold and van't Schip chat before a trial match. Source: News Corp Australia
Last week this newspaper had the story of Graham Arnold's history with Frans Thijssen, and it's at risk of becoming a weekly feature. Almost 24 years ago Arnie also played against his opposite number tonight, Melbourne City coach John van't Schip, when Roda JC faced Ajax. Mind you van't Schip was the least of his worries — that Ajax team also included Bergkamp, Frank de Boer, Aaron Winter, Edwin van der Sar, Wim Jonk and Bryan Roy.
'BUSY' JANKO'S SOUND ADVICE
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Sydney striker Marc Janko is busy breaking scoring records but he'll be even busier in June — first he will captain Austria against Russia in a crucial Euro 16 qualifier, then he will marry his fiancée Katharina shortly after.
Janko also has a nice line in comic timing. When Robert Stambolziev came on as a sub for Sydney on Sunday, with his image broadcast on the big screens at Allianz Stadium, Janko urgently beckoned to him. Expecting some tactical advice, Stambolziev rushed across. "Man, get a new photo," muttered Janko, looking up to the screens. "That one's terrible." So he did, meeting the club photographer yesterday.
Marc Janko celebrates scoring against Brisbane. Source: News Corp Australia
GAME OFF!
As we revealed weeks ago, there'll definitely be no A-League All-Stars game this year, due to all the other exhibition fixtures. But the concept is only mothballed, not killed off.
Del Piero and Juventus 'keeper Buffon after the All Stars match. Source: News Corp Australia
WALMSLEY BOARDS THE SHIP
TONY Walmsley has taken leave from his full-time job until the end of the A-League season to concentrate on fulfilling his role as interim coach of the Mariners. As revealed in this column, Walmsley has been juggling his recent coaching commitments on the Central Coast with his, until now, full-time job working for a rail maintenance firm in Sydney. It got to the stage where Robbie Slater, whose son Tom plays for the Mariners, had to step in to lead a training session for the youngsters in Gosford.
SNEAKY SLATER
Robbie Slater tipping Brisbane to beat Sydney FC in these pages last week raised eyebrows, not least those of his best mate, Sydney coach Graham Arnold, who promptly rang Slater to give him a gobful. In vain did Slater point out his tips had been wrongly transcribed? Vendettas have grown from less.
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