Source: FOOTYMAD
Is the SPL start early enough?
The news that the SPL has tinkered with the opening date for next season will hardly cause Motherwell fans much discomfort. The net effect at Fir Park is likely to be a later start than in recent seasons. While others can mutter about the bizarre decision to allow clubs to opt out of a league game as they go in search of cash rich glamour friendlies, clubs such as Motherwell, that have in the last few years been involved in the preliminary rounds of European competition will see an extended close season. In the last few years our players have had to resume pre-season training before the end of June. In 2009 we faced Llanelli on 2 July and in 2010 we played in Iceland (Briedablik) on 15 July. Both games were in the early stages of the Europa League. Naturally there were some friendlies ahead of those fixtures and the players and management of the club had very short breaks between the end of one season and the start of the next. This time around we are uncertain (as yet) of qualification for the Europa League. Fourth place in the table is not out of reach but that would not guarantee a place in the competition. Scottish teams will have four places in European competition next season, one Champions League spot and three in the Europa League. The Scottish Cup winners will have a place although if that team also wins the league the losers will get that spot. However if the champions win the Cup and the runners-up have already qualified for the Europa League by finishing second or third in the table then the place will go to the team that ends the season in fourth place. In principle the earlier start to the season is to be welcomed. There is no doubt that it is a much more pleasant experience for fans to watch football in July and August rather that January or February (just ask those of us who shivered in Aberdeen a fortnight ago). However, in order that clubs benefit from the early start they need to be up and running for their first encounter with foreign opposition. In order to achieve that the SPL season has some way yet to move, the July 23 is not early enough.
