The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Duffy backs status quo as clamour for change rises
LEAGUES: Fomer Dens boss in reminder current model provides all-season contest
Former Dundee boss Jim Duffy has warned fans of reconstruction to be careful what they wish for as the present four divisions format has provided competitive games until the end of the season for years now.
Duffy, who has managed at all four levels in the Scottish game and is currently in the Dumbarton hot-seat, reckons that nothing should be rushed.
He explained: “I do not believe that we should be too quick to throw out the 12-10-10-10 model.
“The question I would ask anyone involved in looking at reconstruction is ‘If the coronavirus had not struck would change be on the agenda just now?’.”
“If the answer to that is no, I am not sure if it needs changed, as every league was set to have competitive games in it throughout the rest of the season again.”
“Teams were well ahead in three of the leagues but there was plenty of issues undecided.
“In the Premiership there were European as well as top six places available and relegation and the playoff to avoid relegation was there to be avoided.”
Duffy, who was in charge at Dens from 1993 to 1996 and again from 2002 to 2005, added: “In recent years Dundee United, Hibs and Hearts have all been relegated from the top- flight.
“That shows that the size of club and budget that they have does not always produce a straight line to where they end up and that could have ended up happening once more.
“You do not always get that level of unpredictability in other leagues.”
“In the Championship play-off places and relegation issues were undecided and in League 1 you had very little between Raith Rovers and Falkirk at the top.
“We were sitting sixth and looking to push East Fife, Montrose and Airdrie for a play-off place. Stranraer were battling to get off the bottom with three further teams looking to avoid facing a League 2 side in the play-offs.”
“Similarly, in the bottom league playoff places at both ends were not sorted.
“All four leagues would have had something to play for until this weekend which would have been the last day.”
“I would agree that the repetition of playing each other four times is not great but any new structure should have that same level of meaningful fixtures.”
Duffy is disappointed that managers have not been asked their opinions..
He said: “I am not saying that I should be involved but if you look at guys like Dick Campbell, Jim Mcinally and I there is over 50 years of management experience there that could get tapped into but I don’t think any of us have been asked.
“I know how it works and it is all about having a strong top division that brings the money in.
“I have managed at a number of what could be called community clubs – however the game at the top has to be strong to draw sponsorship and crowds in.
“If things are to change the three leagues of 14 would be the best proposal to do that.
“Whatever structure is adopted will not please everyone but the overriding question for me is whether reconstruction is needed at all.”