A Ain get a lesson in German efficiency

A few New Year's resolutions are in order at the start of a new decade. These are a few I set for UAE Football.

To club administrations: Give the coach a chance and try not to sack him after losing one game and drawing one.

To various midfielders in the league: Try running this year as I have seen it done in by all the best teams and it seems to work.

To football fans: Try actually going to a game. It's dead cheap and your kids might even like it.

To the groundsmen: Wipe the seats, the fans often go home dirtier than the players.

There are many times in this column when I have compared the UAE's and Europe's football. I am actually writing this while watching Al Ain v Werder Bremen of the Bundesliga. The gulf between the two teams in terms of physique and tactical awareness is huge. The statistics have just told me that Werder Bremen have had 63 per cent of the possession. This is without getting out of second gear or even breaking sweat.

This week chairman of the league Tariq Al Tayer criticised Al Ahli for their poor performance in the Fifa Club World Cup. He suggested high-profile friendlies before the tournament to prepare the team better. The idea to play teams of a similar standard to the ones you will face in the World Club Cup is a step in the right direction.

The problem of a friendly is just that, it does not prepare teams for big international competitions. Teams who visit the UAE are on holidays rather than focused on winning football matches. The need for players to get abroad and gain experience is vital if things are to progress. This is something that has been talked about at length by the great and the good but I wonder when a player will actually make the break.

Bring in the crowds

The competitiveness of Europe is not the only thing that is lacking in the UAE. Sometimes the crowds are as well. Srecko Katanec, the national team manager, has asked fans to come and support the team rather than watching the games on the television.

The UAE FA should consider putting games on delayed broadcast to encourage fans to go the stadiums. The last time they did this was during the Gulf Cup where over 20,000 turned up to the game against Kuwait. Katanec has put his faith in youth and five of the under-20 squad have been promoted to the senior squad. They are definitely worthy of the step up and will hopefully give the side a lift.

A number of clubs in the UAE are waking up to the fact that the new fans are needed. Sharjah have a new administration in place this season and are quietly going about the business of bringing people to the club. The club has community days, where they open up all the facilities to everyone so they know the club is there and they are part of it. It is a small step but the club should be applauded for their initiative.