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Once again we see United, Chelsea, Liverpool and Arsenal leaving all the rest behind. Aston Villa looked like they were breaking into the top four this season, but have fallen behind the pack.
For the last four seasons, it’s been the top four sides fighting for the top four places. The only time where it was close for an outsider was in the 2005/06 season, where Spurs came close but once again choked, leaving Arsenal in fourth place.
Of course, there was 2004/05 season, where Everton broke through to finish fourth. But that was only for one season.
Many will disagree with this, but is it time to follow other codes and introduce the salary cap? Wouldn’t it be good to see Man United down the other end of the table? Imagine seeing Fulham win the league?
When I found out about Manchester City becoming the richest club in the world, I was thinking “Yes! an outsider club challenging for the top four.”
But then I thought to myself: “Give it another five years and it will be the same as it is now. But instead of the top four, it will be the top five.”
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March 27th 2009 @ 9:42am
wilswils said | March 27th 2009 @ 9:42am | Report comment
For all you that talk about the rest of Europe I do realise that… I was just using the EPL as an example of course if they want to put a salary cap it would have to be introduced to all codes otherwise the system wouldn’t work
March 27th 2009 @ 10:27am
Tigerface said | March 27th 2009 @ 10:27am | Report comment
Millster said | Yesterday | Report comment
“Blah blah blah blah blah
Yes lets introduce a completely artificial system of contraints by which a competition is “re-levelled” to the lowest common denominator. Lets look no further than the most superficial, all say ‘goodo we now have a system where all clubs can be premiers’ and ignore the fact that the very way in which you get there completely and utterly destroys the value and credibility of the premiership that you are seeking.
What bollocks this is. If the reality of the world is that some clubs are better than others – whether through infrastructure, funding, player development or whatever – then why the hell would you want a system within a league that distorts this basic truth??”
I could not be more vehemently opposed to this article or the principles behind it.
You are my hero….
March 27th 2009 @ 10:36am
Millster said | March 27th 2009 @ 10:36am | Report comment
wilswils – on a more pragmatic note than my philosophy-based opposition to your post beforem also using the “if it ain’t broke don’t fix it rule” I wouldn’t go anywhere near touching the EPL, let alone suggesting as major a structural change as this… it is a worldwide phenomenon, and is by a huge distance the world leader in every dimension of success that any sport could possibly hope for.
March 27th 2009 @ 5:56pm
Mick said | March 27th 2009 @ 5:56pm | Report comment
I hope the 6 + 5 rule comes in, might see Spurs, Villa, etc break into the top 4 on a regular basis
March 27th 2009 @ 6:27pm
ren said | March 27th 2009 @ 6:27pm | Report comment
rather than a monetary cap what about a points system similar to that used in the WAFL. essentially locally developed players are worth next to nothing (points wise) and imports are worth progressivelly more depending on wether they are internationals or poached from another club (eg rooney from everton to man u) (bigger penalties could apply if the player comes from a club in the same division than if the club is in a lower division).
but the epl really shouldn’t be touched, there’s competition between the top 4/5 and then morecompetition for uefa cup spots and to avoid relegation. plus it would remove the romanticism of the fa cup where small clubs can take home the silverware on the day
March 27th 2009 @ 7:03pm
David V. said | March 27th 2009 @ 7:03pm | Report comment
Two things:
1) the emergence of English kids through Arsenal’s youth system, surely they’ll grow into valued players before long.
2) the credit crunch. It may force football to go back to basics and become a people’s game, once again, since the pendulum has swung too far.