Even as results were not forthcoming early in the season, the work on the football was evident. The overall project, rather than immediate results in a league offering only two titles, is of much greater importance to our game. Of course, the fact Adelaide are playing some of the best football in the competition as a result, and that this will only get better, is positive in all aspects. What is important to understand is that the football comes from the training, the education and the culture, and this is what Adelaide purchased in Gombau, and in Isaias and Sergio Cirio, whose education is evident and in line with what we are trying to achieve. I have always argued that a foreign coach or player must be above the local level and must take the game forward, otherwise we should use our own. This is why I am unconcerned whether Adelaide win a title or not. The football has already improved the competition and players markedly - just look how Jon McKain, Nigel Boogaard and Osama Malik are playing.

Contrast this with Sydney FC. I believe Frank Farina has handled recent controversy well, and I am not talking here about his position - this is entirely a matter for the club. But the fans this week stated, in essence, they want what Adelaide have. An identity, a future, a pathway and a plan. They could have had all this already as I recommended Josep to Sydney FC last season as one potential candidate following Ian Crook's resignation. The club had asked me for a recommendation but, what became clear at the time was that it lacked any underlying philosophy or plan to guide it when making these decisions. The idea was to create a philosophy that ran down through the entire youth section of the football club and into the grassroots, something with which Sydney FC is still struggling.

But there is light. The fans. For the first time, they have pressured the club by asking for a ''football identity'' and agitating for an ''attractive, winning style'' - it is in a statement by the Cove on its website. Hallelujah, and amen to that. For nine, long and often lonely years I have argued that Sydney should aim to play the best football, to lead the way by virtue of being in the biggest market, having the most money (or certainly spending the most, anyway by a massive margin), and aiming to have the biggest stars. This should be especially so because the club does not have a particular geographical identity, in contrast to the Wanderers who represent their region of Sydney exceptionally well, this connection being core to their values and entire existence. Whereas Sydney FC require a raison d'etre in the footballing sense that can then be integrated with their brand. It is interesting in Australia that clubs such as Adelaide and Brisbane are focused on specific, attractive styles of football, while a club such as Sydney has reacted to the greater expectation of a larger market with an endemic, short-term focus on results, without recognising the importance of a philosophy to create more consistent success, and without overspending to gain trophies. This is why it is positive for the game that the fans are calling for a clear identity, since the club must respond and act, whether for or against. It can no longer be neutral.

And, with Spain and FC Barcelona having dominated football in the last decade, there is a massive amount of Spanish know-how - consider the savvy Gombau - we should be acquiring at bargain prices.