Premier League = three divisions

[davek]

As we can see by the passing week this season, more than ever the PL has been divided into three separate tiers.

Division One
Chelsea, Liverpool, City, Arsenal, Spurs, United.

Division Two
Everton, WBA, S'ton, B'mouth, Burnley, Watford, WHU, Stoke.

Division Three
Leicester, Boro, Palace, S'land, Hull, Swansea.

There may be some movement between Division Two and Division Three, but the only movement we're concerned about isn't going to happen. Those 6 above us are not only 9 points out of reach even now at this stage of the season, they are clubs that wont be caught by us for the best part of another decade unless something happens out of left field which changes the financial structure of English top flight football. If someone would have said just a generation ago that 6 teams would dominate English football and Everton ween't one of them they'd have been certified. This to me is the biggest let down of all: that we've had our 'game changer' owner and it hasn't and wont make a dent.

Depressing.

 

[ijjysmith]

I agree with dave. K.

 

[ChrisBlue]

Leicester

 

[tommye]

Been that way for 20 yrs Dave. City joined the other 5 a few years ago. Meh.

Money is king in football nowadays. Those with the most sit top of the pile.

 

[davek]

Leicester

That was a complete fluke and what change a thing (as this season now proves).

 

[davek]

Been that way for 20 yrs Dave. Meh.

My point though Tommy is that we always thought when we got our new regime in we had the sort of massive potential hinterland fanbase and general historical pedigree to bulldoze back to the top.

We got nothing of the sort though. No bounce whatsoever. Our takeover leaves us where we are and where we will remain: Division Two PL.

How the effin hell did that happen?

 

[Milk]

Our Savior might actually be the Chinese Super League. They might just blow apart the EPL top 6 by taking players off them at will and Abramovich et al might just get pee'd off enough to pack it all in.

As an example I see Witzel is now off to China rather than Juventus.

Strange times

 

[davek]

Our Savior might actually be the Chinese Super League. They might just blow apart the EPL top 6 by taking players off them at will and Abramovich et al might just get pee'd off enough to pack it all in.

As an example I see Witzel is now off to China rather than Juventus.

Strange times

I dont think any player who's looking to create their name and legacy is going out there though...at least not before they've achieved in Europe's biggest leagues.

 

[tommye]

My point though Tommy is that we always thought when we got our new regime in we had the sort of massive potential hinterland fanbase and general historical pedigree to bulldoze back to the top.

We got nothing of the sort though. No bounce whatsoever. Our takeover leaves us where we are and where we will remain.

How the effin hell did that happen?

Rome wasn't built in a day David. Financial regulations now stop anyone 'doing a city' and lumping wagons of cash at it. We are historically one of the biggest clubs in the country and with a bit of luck the BMD project and subsequent increase in revenue will push us back to our rightful place. We've had 20 yrs of complete inertia at boardroom level, this won't be fixed overnight.

Patience is the key here mate. We've suffered enough over the last 2 decades to at least have it in us to give the new regime at least a fighting chance.

Onwards and upwards Friend.

 

[brieverton]

As we can see by the passing week this season, more than ever the PL has been divided into three separate tiers.

Division One
Chelsea, Liverpool, City, Arsenal, Spurs, United.

Division Two
Everton, WBA, S'ton, B'mouth, Burnley, Watford, WHU, Stoke.

Division Three
Leicester, Boro, Palace, S'land, Hull, Swansea.

There may be some movement between Division Two and Division Three, but the only movement we're concerned about isn't going to happen. Those 6 above us are not only 9 points out of reach even now at this stage of the season, they are clubs that wont be caught by us for the best part of another decade unless something happens out of left field which changes the financial structure of English top flight football. If someone would have said just a generation ago that 6 teams would dominate English football and Everton ween't one of them they'd have been certified. This to me is the biggest let down of all: that we've had our 'game changer' owner and it hasn't and wont make a dent.

Depressing.

Yes. I agree and it is depressing.

I still want us to finish 7th, for reasons for pride and showing a clear improvement, on last season, in finishing terms, if nothing else.

It's not so much I expected us to rival any of those teams, but I have been, as of now, hugely disappointed with our "agricultural" style of football.

We could finish 7th looking like there is more to come, or finish 7th by default and the shambolic "quality" of the sides around us.

We will just have to see with Moshiri and what turns up in the next two windows.

If they make decent money available and conduct business in a slick and organised manner, then they'll get my credit.

In that scenario, it's then down to RK/SW to invest wisely and for the long-term.

I would like to be surprised for the good. Perhaps today is a day for positivity, but my gut reaction to some of the players linked (aside form Lookman) give me cause for concern.

We should be showing evidence of 4 months of scouting across Europe and beyond in January.

Don't get me wrong I like Schneiderlin, but with both him and Depay I get the sense of "let's just phone up the guys down the road" and see what's on offer. Like going to Tesco at 10pm before they throw out that days' unsold fresh food.

 

[davek]

Rome wasn't built in a day David. Financial regulations now stop anyone 'doing a city' and lumping wagons of cash at it. We are historically one of the biggest clubs in the country and with a bit of luck the BMD project and subsequent increase in revenue will push us back to our rightful place. We've had 20 yrs of complete inertia at boardroom level, this won't be fixed overnight.

Patience is the key here mate. We've suffered enough over the last 2 decades to at least have it in us to give the new regime at least a fighting chance.

Onwards and upwards Friend.

We have an owner who cant or wont buy all the shares because of some legal reason that would place him at a disadvantage under certain future circumstances. I think that tells you in microcosm all you need to know about our game changer.

If we had a City/Chelsea type takeover the type of restrictions on FFP would be got around with commercial contracts appearing out of the woodwork that could be ploughed into the team...just as they were at City a few seasons back. Failing that an owner could just say: 'bollocks to it, we may be fined or even barred from the EL for a season or so, we're just going to invest" and cut through the Gordian Know like that.

We have to face that we have no such Blue Knight with a wedge or contacts who can invest, and that our revolution has been a bit of a storm in a teacup.

 

[Milk]

I dont think any player who's looking to create their name and legacy is going out there though...at least not before they've achieved in Europe's biggest leagues.

One would hope so but when you see Oscar at 25 heading out there followed by Witzel it seems that the days of the Chinese buying over the hill players may be coming to an end?

Costa is subject to a rumored £80m bid

 

[Tony Hibbert's 3rd leg]

It comes as no surprise that the top 6 teams have had talks about a super league, and we were markedly absent.

Most of the problem is attitude and drive. To challenge, you have to be smart as well. Liverpool and Spurs have shown that it can be done on a consistent level without the expenditure of the big three - Chelsea, United and City.

I do believe we are heading in the right direction. Hopefully we can make it the challenging 'Seven'.

 

[Goat]

Hahahahahahahahaha, honestly.

I give up.

 

[Goat]

Cant wait to vault this at the end of the month.