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I know the prevailing view on here is that The Premiership is rubbish and this is backed up by the disappointing performances of the English teams in Europe.
I agree that the level of the Top 4 has dropped. They have plenty of money at their disposal, allegedly world class coaches and, after RM, Barca and BM, the pick of world football. Spain lined up recently with a front 4 (ish) of Prem players in Costa, Silva, Pedro, and Fabregas, with DDG in goal. The Captains of Germany and France play in The Prem etc etc.
My contention is that the level of lesser teams in The Prem has never been higher. Promoted teams Bournemouth, Leicester and Watford are all very decent and play the right way. Don't think we have ever seen that before. Mid ranking teams like Swansea Southampton, Everton, Spurs and, ahem, Liverpool are all easy on the eye and more than capable of beating the Top 4, not just 'on their day' but frequently. West Ham have beaten Arsenal and City and drawn with Chelsea. The weaker looking teams this season, Newcastle, Sunderland and Villa are sleeping giants (a long time asleep, perhaps) with huge attendances and great home support.
In summary, we have seen a convergence of the level of talent and ability between the top and bottom which now makes The Prem a punting minefield. All-out, highly compeditive, fast physical battles on a weekly basis definitely detracts from England's team's performance in Europe midweek. The lower level teams in La Liga, by comparison, are a complete joke. They frequently give Barca and Real little more than a training ground run at the w/e and show no pride, spirit or ambition. They stand off challenges, don't get tight, concede few fouls or yellows. In short, they are happy to bend over and take a pounding. Bayern and PSG can also focus on peaking for their midweek European games.
So perhaps, in some ways the Prem has never been better. All out unpredictability, with all teams trying, all results possible in almost every game. Full atmospheric stadia, with the world watching and paying to watch. All that remains is for the Top 4 to regain their compeditiveness in European competition. For that they need to go up several notches to make up for the vastly greater demands of their domestic competition but they have the funds to do so, especially now that Barca and RM are finally sharing their revenue TV with their counterparts.
I agree that the level of the Top 4 has dropped. They have plenty of money at their disposal, allegedly world class coaches and, after RM, Barca and BM, the pick of world football. Spain lined up recently with a front 4 (ish) of Prem players in Costa, Silva, Pedro, and Fabregas, with DDG in goal. The Captains of Germany and France play in The Prem etc etc.
My contention is that the level of lesser teams in The Prem has never been higher. Promoted teams Bournemouth, Leicester and Watford are all very decent and play the right way. Don't think we have ever seen that before. Mid ranking teams like Swansea Southampton, Everton, Spurs and, ahem, Liverpool are all easy on the eye and more than capable of beating the Top 4, not just 'on their day' but frequently. West Ham have beaten Arsenal and City and drawn with Chelsea. The weaker looking teams this season, Newcastle, Sunderland and Villa are sleeping giants (a long time asleep, perhaps) with huge attendances and great home support.
In summary, we have seen a convergence of the level of talent and ability between the top and bottom which now makes The Prem a punting minefield. All-out, highly compeditive, fast physical battles on a weekly basis definitely detracts from England's team's performance in Europe midweek. The lower level teams in La Liga, by comparison, are a complete joke. They frequently give Barca and Real little more than a training ground run at the w/e and show no pride, spirit or ambition. They stand off challenges, don't get tight, concede few fouls or yellows. In short, they are happy to bend over and take a pounding. Bayern and PSG can also focus on peaking for their midweek European games.
So perhaps, in some ways the Prem has never been better. All out unpredictability, with all teams trying, all results possible in almost every game. Full atmospheric stadia, with the world watching and paying to watch. All that remains is for the Top 4 to regain their compeditiveness in European competition. For that they need to go up several notches to make up for the vastly greater demands of their domestic competition but they have the funds to do so, especially now that Barca and RM are finally sharing their revenue TV with their counterparts.
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* West Ham haven't drawn with Chelsea (was thinking of Swansea) but have won away to Arsenal, City and Liverpool, if memory serves.
I enjoy the premiership, very competitive league. The amount of people travelling over to the UK for matches is unreal.
The lesser teams just seem to be playing to a higher level as the top teams are utter gash as opposed to previous years
A excellent overview of The Premiership OZY , A quick look at the Champions League betting shows the Premiership teams all on double figures to win out , but for all that i enjoy watching the Premiership games especially from a betting point of view, West ham is a good Example of this beating Arsneal,Man city,and Liverpool away and being hopeless at home,.. Man city beaten 4-1 by spurs who would have come up that.
unpredictability is good for sport
unpredictability is good for sport
Good post, Ozymandius, although re the Spanish league and the little teams, Celta Vigo incredibly hammered Barcelona 4-1 last week.
If it weren't for the few bets that I have, I don't think I'd bother watching the Premier League. I hate the extreme monetisation of the game that has taken place, most notably in that league, in the last 25 years.
When I was a teenager, attending a rugby-playing boarding school(I didn't like it), in the 70s , I "ate, slept and drank" football as a Liverpool supporter. At the age of 12 I wrote to a number of the Liverpool players looking for an autograph; I got 4 (genuine) signed photos and 2 short letters in reply (I still have all of them). I very much doubt that you would get even one authentic, personalised reply from today's stars if you wrote to them.
In comparison, the greatest thing about the GAA today is the continuing, prevailing amateur ethos within the game despite the fact that the players now train incredibly hard and give up much of their leisure time in the hope of bringing glory and honour, not money, to themselves and their county.
If it weren't for the few bets that I have, I don't think I'd bother watching the Premier League. I hate the extreme monetisation of the game that has taken place, most notably in that league, in the last 25 years.
When I was a teenager, attending a rugby-playing boarding school(I didn't like it), in the 70s , I "ate, slept and drank" football as a Liverpool supporter. At the age of 12 I wrote to a number of the Liverpool players looking for an autograph; I got 4 (genuine) signed photos and 2 short letters in reply (I still have all of them). I very much doubt that you would get even one authentic, personalised reply from today's stars if you wrote to them.
In comparison, the greatest thing about the GAA today is the continuing, prevailing amateur ethos within the game despite the fact that the players now train incredibly hard and give up much of their leisure time in the hope of bringing glory and honour, not money, to themselves and their county.
.....neither rubbish or fantastic - just boring, goes on far too long.
Wouldn't dream of watching a match now - barely even watch highlights any more
Wouldn't dream of watching a match now - barely even watch highlights any more
find it hard to sit through a whole match. Havent watched MOTD once since the season began. Irish people's obsession with this League is a bit cringe really.
If I'm in a bar, normally have my back to it, I wouldn't have thought I'd be saying that 15 years ago, over saturation by sky the problem really.
I agree there is an element of saturation coverage which is somewhat alienating. I don't watch it as much as I used to either, for some reason (perhaps United's dreary style of football)
Fred, talking of Irish people's cringey obsession with the League, talk me through that Avatar of yours?
Fred, talking of Irish people's cringey obsession with the League, talk me through that Avatar of yours?
Freddie the mugUsed to watch every 90 mins going growing up. No real interest anymore unless i've had a bet on a match.
The most enjoyable football show I can remember was Channel 4's "Gazzetta Football Italia" with James Richardson back in the 90's. Used to be on a Saturday morning showing the highlights from the previous weekend. The live game on Sunday was unmissable too. That was a time when Serie A was considered the strongest league in Europe.
that was put there about 4 years ago and i ll admit like probably a lot of us i have from a young age been a glory-hunter when it comes to english soccer, even though my father got me into supporting liverpool.
it makes no sense why we get worked up about games involving the likes of manchester/liverpool/qpr/crystal palace when the vast majority have no connection with those places and will only see the action from your tv set at home or in the pub.
supporting my local team in the LOI means far more to me as does Celtic because of the Irish links.
it makes no sense why we get worked up about games involving the likes of manchester/liverpool/qpr/crystal palace when the vast majority have no connection with those places and will only see the action from your tv set at home or in the pub.
supporting my local team in the LOI means far more to me as does Celtic because of the Irish links.
Agree with most of the sentiment on here,find it hard going to watch it nowadays and generally won't know who is playing on the weekend in particular unless i stumble on it.
The amount of pages in Irish papers given over to it is shocking really.
The amount of pages in Irish papers given over to it is shocking really.
What Irish links do Celtic have?It's all about Religion nothing more nothing less.
A lot of good points raised here, TV saturation a defiant factor. Like many of you I rarely watch MOTD now although I did last weekend. I have never been the jealous sort regards how much people get paid BUT for the amounts you'd expect better. Im any other walk of life if you performed the way some of these players do you'd be out on your ear ! I also get the no links to a club bit, when I lived in the States I loved watching the NFL but since returning to England I have no real interest. As for Celtic, how can anyone watch that dross week in week out ? Kevin Bridges put it best "It used to be a two horse race, now it's just show jumping"
Cheltenhamroar??? What are you talking about
. They were formed to help alleviate poverty among the Irish immigrants in Glasgow, modelled on Hibernian in Edinburgh.
Obviously a Scottish club - but always maintained their Irish roots.
Staunchly non-denominational as it happens
. They were formed to help alleviate poverty among the Irish immigrants in Glasgow, modelled on Hibernian in Edinburgh. Obviously a Scottish club - but always maintained their Irish roots.
Staunchly non-denominational as it happens
" staunchly non denominational as it happens "
Ludicrous statement,of course its denominational,its supported exclusively by Catholics.
It was formed by Catholics for Catholics and is rightly synonymous with Ireland.
Every proper Irishman is a Celtic supporter.
Ludicrous statement,of course its denominational,its supported exclusively by Catholics.
It was formed by Catholics for Catholics and is rightly synonymous with Ireland.
Every proper Irishman is a Celtic supporter.
The best answer to Ozy's question is its both. Its fantastic rubbish in the the players get fantastic money for playing rubbish.
The best answer to Ozy's question is its both. Its fantastic rubbish in the the players get fantastic money for playing rubbish.
"Ludicrous statement,of course its denominational,its supported exclusively by Catholics.
It was formed by Catholics for Catholics and is rightly synonymous with Ireland".
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Complete and utter rubbish. Do some research.
It was formed by Catholics for Catholics and is rightly synonymous with Ireland".
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Complete and utter rubbish. Do some research.
What part of it is rubbish.
It was formed by a Marist brother for the Irish living in Glasgow,those Irish were all Catholic.
The club is owned by Irishmen.
The club have tried to eradicate some of the chanting,tried to change the ethos of the club but all they have really done is hide it to stop themselves getting fined.
The Irishness,the Catholicism is part of Celtics tradition part of its history.
Some Johnny come latelys may want to change that,may want to emasculate the club but the fans know their background,their history.
I think you could hazard a guess at what Scottish team Ozymandius supports.
It was formed by a Marist brother for the Irish living in Glasgow,those Irish were all Catholic.
The club is owned by Irishmen.
The club have tried to eradicate some of the chanting,tried to change the ethos of the club but all they have really done is hide it to stop themselves getting fined.
The Irishness,the Catholicism is part of Celtics tradition part of its history.
Some Johnny come latelys may want to change that,may want to emasculate the club but the fans know their background,their history.
I think you could hazard a guess at what Scottish team Ozymandius supports.
If you think I support Rangers, Borneo, you couldn't be more wrong. I abhor both Rangers and Celtic. That evil sectarian nonsense has no place in sport and both sets of supporters should be ashamed of themselves imo.
How do you feel about your Celtics overt anti-Israel stance?
How do you feel about your Celtics overt anti-Israel stance?
I hate it just like I hate seeing all the Palestinian flags in the Catholic areas of Belfast but you can't have everything.
I don't see why the supporters should be ashamed,I don't even mind the chanting but once you leave that ground that should be it.
I like tradition,I like history its not all glorious.
I don't see why the supporters should be ashamed,I don't even mind the chanting but once you leave that ground that should be it.
I like tradition,I like history its not all glorious.
Its quite simple why they should be ashamed; they revel in racist, bigotted nonsense (or at least a proportion of them do).
That applies to all sets of fans.
This is their group,their tribe if you like.
Manchester United fans are fairly nasty to other fans.
Leeds fans are notoriously harsh on Manchester United fans.
Soccer was the bastion of the working class,they are now either priced out or have their traditions mocked or being made part of some social experiment.
This is their group,their tribe if you like.
Manchester United fans are fairly nasty to other fans.
Leeds fans are notoriously harsh on Manchester United fans.
Soccer was the bastion of the working class,they are now either priced out or have their traditions mocked or being made part of some social experiment.
I know that in your universe, racism and bigotry are just other forms of nastiness. I, and others, hold them to a higher account.
Yes, it exists at other football grounds, but Rangers and Celtic uniquely appear to thrive on it.
once you leave that ground that should be it. We both know that it doesn't work like that. These tribal chants become ingrained and prejudice and inform thinking and actions, long after the football is over. Not to mention the colouring of impressionable children's minds at the ground.
Yes, it exists at other football grounds, but Rangers and Celtic uniquely appear to thrive on it.
once you leave that ground that should be it. We both know that it doesn't work like that. These tribal chants become ingrained and prejudice and inform thinking and actions, long after the football is over. Not to mention the colouring of impressionable children's minds at the ground.
Ozymandius 21 May 15 09:34
Don't like the sound personally.
It is unusual for a local Irish accent to shine through music rather than the default mid Atlantic twang...but this is a Dundalk accent and frankly awful in the spoken or singing word.
Is this not prejudice?
Don't like the sound personally.
It is unusual for a local Irish accent to shine through music rather than the default mid Atlantic twang...but this is a Dundalk accent and frankly awful in the spoken or singing word.
Is this not prejudice?
No. That's taste, Roger!
Thank you btw for your Eurovision thread and tip on Sweden, I was banned shortly thereafter and never had the chance to thank you.
Thank you btw for your Eurovision thread and tip on Sweden, I was banned shortly thereafter and never had the chance to thank you.
Wallflower 02 Oct 15 05:54
"Ludicrous statement,of course its denominational,its supported exclusively by Catholics.
It was formed by Catholics for Catholics and is rightly synonymous with Ireland".
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Complete and utter rubbish. Do some research.
wildmanfromborneo 02 Oct 15 10:01
What part of it is rubbish.
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Well, to be fair - not every bit of it, just most of it......if I must.....
"denominational" - has no denominational aspect to it, was initially a charity for Irish but extended to other institutions with no religious bias
"supported exclusively by Catholics" - completely untrue i.e. absolute boll*x
"formed by Catholics for Catholics" - again, untrue - I can't do the research for you
"Ludicrous statement,of course its denominational,its supported exclusively by Catholics.
It was formed by Catholics for Catholics and is rightly synonymous with Ireland".
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Complete and utter rubbish. Do some research.
wildmanfromborneo 02 Oct 15 10:01
What part of it is rubbish.
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Well, to be fair - not every bit of it, just most of it......if I must.....
"denominational" - has no denominational aspect to it, was initially a charity for Irish but extended to other institutions with no religious bias
"supported exclusively by Catholics" - completely untrue i.e. absolute boll*x
"formed by Catholics for Catholics" - again, untrue - I can't do the research for you
You don't have to do the research for me but you could do it for yourself.
So you think its untrue that Celtic was formed by Catholics for Catholics,who do you think formed Celtic and who do you think they formed it for.
Its fashionable to hate the Catholic Church,fashionable to deny any good it did but the Brother that formed Celtic did a good and noble deed and started what has turned out a noble and glorious club.
Sad if people start denying their roots.
So you think its untrue that Celtic was formed by Catholics for Catholics,who do you think formed Celtic and who do you think they formed it for.
Its fashionable to hate the Catholic Church,fashionable to deny any good it did but the Brother that formed Celtic did a good and noble deed and started what has turned out a noble and glorious club.
Sad if people start denying their roots.
If theres one thing more reprehensible than David Beckham, its Glasgow Celtic and their imbecillic supporters.
Nearly all soccer is garbage nowadays, but Celtic take the biscuit. What kind of mindless idiot supporters these useless shower of prixx.
Wannabe RA men who sing songs and dont know what they even, who have very little functioning upstairs, thats the bulk of their support.
Soccer is such a load of shiite thesedays, every single club have so many players/managers that are low life vermin or complete and utter frauds.
Take even the top teams, Ronaldo Suarez Toure Costa Van Gaal Walcott Adebayor, you could be there for the night.
Nearly all soccer is garbage nowadays, but Celtic take the biscuit. What kind of mindless idiot supporters these useless shower of prixx.
Wannabe RA men who sing songs and dont know what they even, who have very little functioning upstairs, thats the bulk of their support.
Soccer is such a load of shiite thesedays, every single club have so many players/managers that are low life vermin or complete and utter frauds.
Take even the top teams, Ronaldo Suarez Toure Costa Van Gaal Walcott Adebayor, you could be there for the night.
wmb - obviously associated with Irish Catholic population and descendants in Glasgow - but nowhere near exclusively
--- stop missing this point deliberately
--- stop missing this point deliberately
Lads all this could settled amicably....simply stop supporting these ghastly northern teams and start supporting Bournemouth....we could do with a bit of 'outside' support....lovely place to visit too
..bring your sunglasses though.
I've a lot of Irish friends (who visited Bournemouth and decided not to leave) who tell me that Man u and Liverpool ..are by far the most popular teams over there....for the love of god WHY??????? They are fkn sh1tholes!....
And for those who are cruely forced to watch that Scottish dross due to religious persuasion well....god help you.
..bring your sunglasses though.I've a lot of Irish friends (who visited Bournemouth and decided not to leave
) who tell me that Man u and Liverpool ..are by far the most popular teams over there....for the love of god WHY??????? They are fkn sh1tholes!....And for those who are cruely forced to watch that Scottish dross due to religious persuasion well....god help you.
martyatt i have a soft spot for bournemouth and always one of the first results i look up.it would be softer though if they hadnt drawn that last game of the season v tranmere a few yrs afgo as i had a big bet on them to win the title that year at 14/1 .freakish things happened elsewhere as you know but they should have beaten a team with nothing to play for!! and i agree totally with you about the scots dross its actually embarrasing..
Unlucky Kavie 
..i also backed them to win the league that year as I do every every year..apart from last year of course..
should have won that game alright but I think we were just relieved to get out of that league.
The championship was always going to suit our style of play better although I couldn't believe we sold Lewis Grabban!
But that is the genius of Eddie Howe faced with financial fair play rules he sells Grabban for 3m and buys Callum Wilson for 3m!!!
Losing Wilson for 6months is devastating obviously as was losing Max Gradel with the same injury but hopefully we'll cope.
Hoping Harry After returns soon as he a big player for us as he will be for Ireland in the years to come BTW.
Anyway important game today against Watford which we need to win as we have a tough month coming up so I'm going for the same score as last year 2-0 with Richie to score first...UP THE CHERRIES!!!!!!!!!..
..i also backed them to win the league that year as I do every every year..apart from last year of course.. should have won that game alright but I think we were just relieved to get out of that league.The championship was always going to suit our style of play better although I couldn't believe we sold Lewis Grabban!
But that is the genius of Eddie Howe faced with financial fair play rules he sells Grabban for 3m and buys Callum Wilson for 3m!!!
Losing Wilson for 6months is devastating obviously as was losing Max Gradel with the same injury but hopefully we'll cope.
Hoping Harry After returns soon as he a big player for us as he will be for Ireland in the years to come BTW.
Anyway important game today against Watford which we need to win as we have a tough month coming up so I'm going for the same score as last year 2-0 with Richie to score first...UP THE CHERRIES!!!!!!!!!..
Marryatt , Me and mrs Workrider were there in april ,I spent some time living in Swanage as a child , used to get the ferry over to Bournemouth I love the place . Hope ye do well this year , ye are playing some nice football.
Nice to hear work rider.....you'll have to come back again soon...
Two points dropped yesterday I think...let them back in it with a comical mistake by the goalkeeper and missed a penalty at the death..
Still with Chelsea losing we didn't lose to much ground!..Man City away next......
Two points dropped yesterday I think...let them back in it with a comical mistake by the goalkeeper and missed a penalty at the death..
Still with Chelsea losing we didn't lose to much ground!
..Man City away next......
You can do it ,Newcastle let them off the hook yesterday..
Merryatt lived in Alum Chine for a year, so I too look for Bournemouth score every Sat, should stay up easily, Harry was manager when I was there, went to dean court once think they beat Tranmere 3-0 that day, Jamie Rednapp was diff class that day was only 17 then I think.
The Irish division of the afcb fan club is coming along nicely..
Played against Jamie in a schools match deplasterer...he scored 8 in a ten goal thriller...I remember my mate having quite a heated argument with him about a 35 yard free kick jamie scored...my mate reckoned that it was meant as a cross..
Always look on Harry's days at the club with fondness..beating man utd 2-0 in the fa cup..winning the old third division and of course getting George Best to turn out for us!..admittedly he was brutal but nevertheless.... Great memories.
Played against Jamie in a schools match deplasterer...he scored 8 in a ten goal thriller...I remember my mate having quite a heated argument with him about a 35 yard free kick jamie scored...my mate reckoned that it was meant as a cross..
Always look on Harry's days at the club with fondness..beating man utd 2-0 in the fa cup..winning the old third division and of course getting George Best to turn out for us!..admittedly he was brutal but nevertheless.... Great memories.
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