Slater, writing in his on-line Code Sports column, also branded the Bulls an embarrassment, with the side based in the south-west Sydney growth corridor struggling to draw crowds to Campbelltown Stadium entering their fourth year on the map.

The Bulls are averaging just 2,861 after four home games this season - only Western United have attracted less.

However, Krslovic is playing the long game, insisting scheduling issues and cost of living crisis have been powerful deterrents to building their fan base.

Pushing back on Slater’s withering critique, an upbeat Krslovic told FTBL: “Being one of the newer clubs we’re always going to get the short end of the straw in terms of our match schedule, and that’s had a negative impact.

“In terms of free to air TV audiences on Channel 10, the second largest so far this season was the 90,000 for our 2-0 win at Sydney FC last weekend. It’s only been bettered by Sydney against Wanderers.

“There are people who are interested in watching our club - but who’s going to come at 2.30pm on a Saturday afternoon or 7.45 on a Friday night?

“We’re a demographic of a young family, tradesmen, people who work Saturdays and have kids who play sport. It will take time: don’t judge us yet.

"Wait five years and then see where we’re at. We’re still recovering from Covid but we’re in Australia’s fastest growing population area, and I still maintain it’s the right place because there’s no AFL or rugby league here.

“Is it a hard slog? For sure, but we’re lucky that we don’t depend on a certain number of people coming in to survive. From a financial point of view we’re pretty secure.

"Remember we have home games to come against Sydney FC and Western Sydney Wanderers which will improve numbers. “

“Of course, when you face the likes of Wellington, Western United or Brisbane in extremely unfavourable time-slots it’s very challenging”

On the field, all the indicators are positive for the Bulls, who last season won the Australia Cup only to finish last on the ladder.

There are no such issues seven games into the new campaign with 15 points on the board and the Bulls yet to taste defeat. Not to mention the fact they’re also AFC Cup ASEAN Zonal semi-finalists after topping their group.

Referring to Slater’s outburst, Krslovic added: “I spoke to Robbie about it and we had a healthy discussion. Personally we have an extremely good relationship.

“There are clubs who have borrowed money from the APL and others attracting crowds below their previous averages, however I believe that has a lot to do with post covid habits and how people have adapted their lives

“Little clubs like us are most probably punching above our weight on many facets”

Krslovic believes there may be an element of the cultural cringe at play when denigrating that lack of bums on seats across the A-League.

“Go and look at the Belgium league where some of the crowds are really poor,” he pointed out.
“I watched Cercle Bruges against Antwerp and they’d be lucky to be 3-4,000 there, the stadium was almost empty.

“Even in Italy only the top teams get good crowds, and France’s Ligue 1 it’s a similar story. We get spoiled watching the Premier League and Bundesliga. But that’s the exception not the rule.”