Weakest or strongest ever league

Sutch · Post by **Sutch** » Sun Mar 06, 2011 10:38 pm

Weaker top four (it's not the big three with Chelsea anymore, it's the big two with city and chelsea/scum) and stronger bottom half, even Villa and Everton have regressed, seeing as two seasons ago they were both pushing for CL spots. I prefer how it was up until the end of 08/09, two teams playing out of their skin every week and beating them was a mammoth task for any team, one team quite a few points behind the top two chasing them, while the fourth team looking over their shoulder at 5th and 6th while trying to nick 3rd. Those were the days

Post by **g88ner** » Sun Mar 06, 2011 10:39 pm

marcengels wrote:
g88ner wrote:Well, I'd say that only Barcelona and (possibly) Real Madrid have a better chance of winning the Champions League than ManUre and Chelsea. Then you have Inter, Bayern and ourslelves. Hell, even Sp*rs beat AC Milan (top of Serie A) at the San Siro, so we're not struggling against the cream of europe, that's for sure.

I'd say the top teams have regressed a little, as I think previous ManUre teams, Mourinho's Chelsea and our invincibles would have romped this league, but I do think the relegation fodder are no longer fodder... there really aren't many cheap points anymore.

So, it's not as strong as we're used to BUT I do think it's much better than the Premier League of the 90s - definately!

In fact, just look at the Blackburn team than won it in 1995! (Flowers, Le Saux, Berg, Hendry, Henchoz, Batty, Wilcox, Gallacher, Shearer, Sutton, Sherwood, etc. - does anyone really think they'd win it now?? fucking no chance!
The point regarding Blackburn is just nonsense, g88ner. They built a team which beat a technically better team (with more "names") in Man Utd - so therefore, if you put up Man Utd's list of players of that era, you wouldn't I guess be making the same remarks ("fucking no chance"). Therefore, it looks like your just laughing at Blackburn, because in isolation players dare I say like Sherwood don't really fit the football of today.

If you were to put up Man Utd's team of that season, and could argue that technically they could compete for today's title based upon a list of names, then it follows that Blackburn also could.

It's not nonsense. That Blackburn team were champions, and I very much doubt they'd do that today. The standard of the English game has improved massively since foreign players (and managers) started to come here. I think that's universely accepted now, and 1995 was really only the beginning of the foreign invasion.

We've come a long way since then.

I could be wrong, but I seem to remember Blackburn struggling big time in the Champions League the following season, and were dumped out by a small club (possibly Scandinavian?)

marcengels · Post by **marcengels** » Sun Mar 06, 2011 10:44 pm

g88ner wrote:
marcengels wrote:
g88ner wrote:Well, I'd say that only Barcelona and (possibly) Real Madrid have a better chance of winning the Champions League than ManUre and Chelsea. Then you have Inter, Bayern and ourslelves. Hell, even Sp*rs beat AC Milan (top of Serie A) at the San Siro, so we're not struggling against the cream of europe, that's for sure.

I'd say the top teams have regressed a little, as I think previous ManUre teams, Mourinho's Chelsea and our invincibles would have romped this league, but I do think the relegation fodder are no longer fodder... there really aren't many cheap points anymore.

So, it's not as strong as we're used to BUT I do think it's much better than the Premier League of the 90s - definately!

In fact, just look at the Blackburn team than won it in 1995! (Flowers, Le Saux, Berg, Hendry, Henchoz, Batty, Wilcox, Gallacher, Shearer, Sutton, Sherwood, etc. - does anyone really think they'd win it now?? fucking no chance!
The point regarding Blackburn is just nonsense, g88ner. They built a team which beat a technically better team (with more "names") in Man Utd - so therefore, if you put up Man Utd's list of players of that era, you wouldn't I guess be making the same remarks ("fucking no chance"). Therefore, it looks like your just laughing at Blackburn, because in isolation players dare I say like Sherwood don't really fit the football of today.

If you were to put up Man Utd's team of that season, and could argue that technically they could compete for today's title based upon a list of names, then it follows that Blackburn also could.
It's not nonsense. That Blackburn team were champions, and I very much doubt they'd do that today. The standard of the English game has improved massively since foreign players (and managers) started to come here. I think that's universely accepted now, and 1995 was really only the beginning of the foreign invasion.

We've come a long way since then.

Well, it doesn't make any sense, mate - because as they were a product of their time. I say again. list the Man Utd players of that season - would they do better? If you think they could live with the teams of today, then Blackburn could also challenge.

It's pointless, all teams are a product of their time, fitness levels, opportuntiy, attitude, etc....

Post by **g88ner** » Sun Mar 06, 2011 10:47 pm

Just checked, and in the 1995/96 Champions League group, Blackburn finished bottom behind the mighty Spartak Moscow, Leiga Warsaw and Rosenborg, with 1 win, 1 draw and 4 defeats.

As I said, I think the English game has come on in leaps and bounds since foreign players/managers arrived en masse... and therefore, this Premier League season is definately NOT the weakest... far from it!

marcengels · Post by **marcengels** » Sun Mar 06, 2011 10:55 pm

g88ner wrote:Just checked, and in the 1995/96 Champions League group, Blackburn finished bottom behind the mighty Spartak Moscow, Leiga Warsaw and Rosenborg, with 1 win, 1 draw and 4 defeats.

As I said, I think the English game has come on in leaps and bounds since foreign players/managers arrived en masse... and therefore, this Premier League season is definately NOT the weakest... far from it!

I agree on that point g88ner, no doubt. Just I think you can't list a group of players that look "average" on paper, because their names don't shout Fabregas or the like. They were a team, more than the sum of their parts.

I think because it's you g88ner, I am more disappointed (

)

Post by **g88ner** » Sun Mar 06, 2011 11:13 pm

marcengels wrote:I think because it's you g88ner, I am more disappointed ( )

wow, sorry I let you down marc

MegaGooner · Post by **MegaGooner** » Sun Mar 06, 2011 11:33 pm

What I find (relatively) funny is the fact that we all cried for a proper CB or DM during the January transfer window. It has now come to my attention that Bendy and Chammy should be sold and a proper backup striker be bought.

FFS

these two don't look like they could hit a banjo with a cow arse

Thank God I ain't Arsene Wenger to make that decision.

Post by **flash gunner** » Mon Mar 07, 2011 7:42 am

Weaker

augie · Post by **augie** » Mon Mar 07, 2011 8:02 am

This league is more exciting for sure but is, for me at least, the worst league since the prem began and maybe even longer than that. Of course it is very hard to compare teams from different era's but quality wise this manure team isnt a patch on any of their team's since the prem was formed and they look sure to win this league

This Arsenal team are odds on for 2nd place but probably wouldnt get top 4 any of the previous seasons and I would suggest that finishing in any of the european places would be beyond them in some of the seasons

Bradywasking · Post by **Bradywasking** » Mon Mar 07, 2011 9:11 am

This is easily the worst Man Utd team in year, massive game yesterday and they have three players over 36 in their line up..Carrick was terrible, Rooney was awful, they have been getting away with being poor all season and yet they will possibly win the league. Chelsea fell apart and endless cash couldn't make Citeh a lasting title challanger. Liverpool are sixth but destroyed the favourites yesterday, but that came off the back of an abject performance at West Ham... What I am trying to say is this I believe is the worst Premier League in years..and thee champions will be the poorest champions in since Blackburn. That Arsenal havn't capitalised on this is frustrating but may indicate where Arsenal are at in terms of quality. I passionatly hope that Arsenal do win the league , but would that prove Wenger right..would that mean we wouldn't make the necessary signings in the Summer. If Liverpool, Citeh or even a resurgent Chelsea made the changes to their squads we could become one season wonders.

Post by **QuartzGooner** » Mon Mar 07, 2011 8:38 pm

Strong league.
Tough to win.

Whilst the big teams are weaker than the very strong Arsenal and Man Utd teams of the early part of the last decade, the quality of other clubs is higher, so more games are competitive.

Lots of draws this season too, as small clubs learn how to get 0-0s.

Number 5 · Post by **Number 5** » Mon Mar 07, 2011 11:10 pm

Shit league with shit teams.

I fucking hate watching football matches these days.

cusamano · Post by **cusamano** » Tue Mar 08, 2011 7:43 am

REBEL GOONER wrote:i see your point but for me its the top 3-4 that are weaker which makes the rest look better,

weaker league

yep, exactly!

Post by **DB10GOONER** » Tue Mar 08, 2011 8:00 am

marcengels wrote:
g88ner wrote:
marcengels wrote:
g88ner wrote:Well, I'd say that only Barcelona and (possibly) Real Madrid have a better chance of winning the Champions League than ManUre and Chelsea. Then you have Inter, Bayern and ourslelves. Hell, even Sp*rs beat AC Milan (top of Serie A) at the San Siro, so we're not struggling against the cream of europe, that's for sure.

I'd say the top teams have regressed a little, as I think previous ManUre teams, Mourinho's Chelsea and our invincibles would have romped this league, but I do think the relegation fodder are no longer fodder... there really aren't many cheap points anymore.

So, it's not as strong as we're used to BUT I do think it's much better than the Premier League of the 90s - definately!

In fact, just look at the Blackburn team than won it in 1995! (Flowers, Le Saux, Berg, Hendry, Henchoz, Batty, Wilcox, Gallacher, Shearer, Sutton, Sherwood, etc. - does anyone really think they'd win it now?? fucking no chance!
The point regarding Blackburn is just nonsense, g88ner. They built a team which beat a technically better team (with more "names") in Man Utd - so therefore, if you put up Man Utd's list of players of that era, you wouldn't I guess be making the same remarks ("fucking no chance"). Therefore, it looks like your just laughing at Blackburn, because in isolation players dare I say like Sherwood don't really fit the football of today.

If you were to put up Man Utd's team of that season, and could argue that technically they could compete for today's title based upon a list of names, then it follows that Blackburn also could.
It's not nonsense. That Blackburn team were champions, and I very much doubt they'd do that today. The standard of the English game has improved massively since foreign players (and managers) started to come here. I think that's universely accepted now, and 1995 was really only the beginning of the foreign invasion.

We've come a long way since then.
Well, it doesn't make any sense, mate - because as they were a product of their time. I say again. list the Man Utd players of that season - would they do better? If you think they could live with the teams of today, then Blackburn could also challenge.

It's pointless, all teams are a product of their time, fitness levels, opportuntiy, attitude, etc....

Totally agree with marc on this one. It is pointless comparing teams from years ago to current leagues. Everything is relevent; diet, training methods, lifestyle, fitness levels, technical knowledge, managerial styles. It's like saying our 71 double team would/would not cut it nowdays. Totally irrelevent.

Also that Blackburn team won that league playing a particular style and using tactics that suited the players thay had. Very George-ish to my mind!

As for this current league? Deffo weaker for all the reasons already mentioned on this thread plus the fact that several big name stars are off form or past it; Lampard, Scholes, Gerard, AA23, Torres, Rooney...

The quality of games has been poorer than recent years too. So many of the "lesser" teams just park the bus now that the play is becoming compressed into a deadzone about 30 yards out with the pace of the game suffering accordingly.

It's not as bad as some of the tripe I sat through in the 80's long ball era but it is not as good as most seasons in the 90's and recently.