I find it unacceptable for developers to announce major changes to the game so little in advance of their implementation. We should be notified of any major changes at least 1/2 season in advance!
Unless those chances would be graphic only, and does not chance gaming experience.
New avatar engine should be finished at least (player shirts and new coaches models), it wouldn't be that much, but it would be "something". Another season without changes would mean 8 months without a single change or a bug fixed, that would be too much IMHO.
BTW: will they ever fix the "next round displayed" bug? Tomorrow, many people will know wich teams will play the WC final, 40 minutes before the semis begin to play. That bug is (at least) 2 seasons old, it became public in season 8, during the World Cup semi final. That bug is TOO old, WCC, Cup and World Cup is boring since people discovered it.