EPL just as predicatable as the SPL

[weybridgewanderer]

For many observers, when it comes to picking the title winners, this season promises to be as wide open as the last few... Chelsea or Manchester United?

So say the bookmakers and the formbook agrees.

Chelsea and Manchester United have won the last six Premier League titles, while 14 of the last 18 major domestic trophies have ended up at Old Trafford or Stamford Bridge - add the Community Shield into the equation and that figure becomes 19 out of 24.

Since the 2003-04 season, when Arsenal's 'Invincibles' won the title, the Gunners and Liverpool have won only one domestic trophy each - a feat emulated by Tottenham and Portsmouth.


The dominance of two teams is no longer something that only happens in Scotland it seems.

In Spain, Barcelona and Real Madrid have occupied the top two spots in La Liga for five of the last six seasons, while Roma have finished runners-up to Inter Milan in four of the five Serie A campaigns since Juventus fell from grace in such scandalous fashion.

[Tails]

[NR_Royal]

Ever considered that people may watch the Premier League for other reasons than to win it? You know, like the supporters of about 80% of the teams.

[Stranded]

But what's the point of a competition you can't win?

[NR_Royal]

But what's the point of a competition you can't win?

True, but it's more of a league in which position is relative. Top half is the level that most teams aim for, and it suits fans well enough.

[Tails]

There's many points to [a] competition that you can't win. You just have to re-evaluate your initial motive(s).

[handbags_harris]

But what's the point of a competition you can't win?

True, but it's more of a league in which position is relative. Top half is the level that most teams aim for, and it suits fans well enough.

Not really, fans accept that in the current footballing climate top half is the most that most clubs can realistically aim for, but does it suit them? I'd say no because, as Stranded says, what's the point in competing if you're only competing for 9th place every season?

[weybridgewanderer]

so the EPL is ok because other teams are aiming for the top half, there are other things than winning it

the SPL is rubbish because only 1 of 2 teams can win it. so the other teams in the SPL don't aim to finish 3rd, or top half or whatever?

I really wish you guys could make up your mind!!

[SouthDownsRoyal]

@this thread

[Ginger Ninjas]

Quite.

At least quote the source: http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/footbal ... 888167.stm

[Barry the bird boggler]

There's many points to [a] competition that you can't win. You just have to re-evaluate your initial motive(s).

No there ****** isn't. The 1st Division/Premiership is a load of plastic crap dominated by the same boring 4/5 clubs year in year out and will remain so until Sky take their money out of the game or someone has the balls to stand up to the big clubs. It even gets predictable as to which set of teams will be going for relegation.

The 2nd Division/Championship is the best league as you get a good standard of football and 9 times out of 10 no-one has any remote clue where anyone will finish.

[winchester_royal]

So there's no point to just about any league in any sport then?

And FTR, the 06/07 season is the most enjoyably I've had as a Reading fan, despite knowing we weren't going to win the league. And ask Spurs fans how they felt when they finished 4th.

[soggy biscuit]

But what's the point of a competition you can't win?

The Premier League has numerous prizes alone the way though, you don't have to finish top of the pile to get a prize.

[weybridgewanderer]

so we can all stop moaning the SPL is boring coz its too predictable and the same 2 teams keep winning it?

[Hoop Blah]

so we can all stop moaning the SPL is boring coz its too predictable and the same 2 teams keep winning it?

Can we carry on berating it for being shit though?

The reason for competing in a league you can only aim for 9th is that you might then be able to achieve 7th the next year, and 4th the year after. It's about competing to the best of you ability and striving to improve.

The Premiership has more teams in it who can mount a serious challenge to the current two dominant forces, that's the advantage it has over the SPL.

[Wax Jacket]

just to repeat for emphasis - the SPL is shit

[Jerry St Clair]

And ask Spurs fans how they felt when they finished 4th.

Apathetic?

[Mr Angry]

Motherwell v Hibernian - SPL - Sunday 15th August - gate 5,172

Motherwell has a population of 59,000.


Port Vale v Chesterfield - nPower league Division 2 - Saturday August 14th - gate, 6,444

Burslem has a population of 21,400.


If the SPL was so great, how come barely 5,000 can be bothered to go and watch a match between 2 clubs who are presumably going to "threaten" the duopoly of Rangers & Celtic, one of whom is in the Europa League this season, whilst a game between 2 stereotyped "mid-table mediocrity" teams in League 2 attracts a gate more than 20% bigger?

Take out Rangers and Celtic, and the SPL would be at a level of, AT BEST, top half of League 1.

[sheshnu]

SPLOL

[Mr Angry]

Just another little stat for you; in the last 45 years, only on 5 occasions have teams other than Rangers and Celtic won the top flight in Scotland; Kilmarnock (65/66) Dundee Utd (82/83) and Aberdeen (79/80, 83/84 & 84/85).

In the English top division over that period of time, 11 different teams have won the title, whilst teams like QPR, Southampton, Watford and Ipswich finished 2nd.

Since the 95/96 season, only once has it not finished a Celtic/Rangers 1st or 2nd; 05/06 when Hearts finished 2nd.

Since the 1965/66 season, at least 1 of the Auld Firm has finished in the top 2 EVERY SEASON.

Still think that the Scottish top division isn't a teensy weensy bit like Groundhog Day??