The Official Manchester City Premiership Champions Thread

[essexplumber]

stuartmmcfc said:

I think the top 3 are showing real grit, coming from behind to win- even if at times they could ALL do better.
Looks like its going to be a 3 horse race this year.

And thats great for English football isn't it.

[CIE560]

Yeah it is.

[jammy_basturd]

essexplumber said:

And thats great for English football isn't it.

I'm not sure I understand the economics of your argument EP.

For ages there was a 'top four', but realistically only three of those were in with much chance of winning it. But it was a top four because the same four teams perennially got the CL spots and the money associated with the CL.

Now though that fourth CL spot is up for grabs by any one of three or four teams and at least that means some of the CL money gets spread a little further throughout the league.

Besides which, Chelsea in the last few years, and Man City today have shown that even with limitless money, it doesn't mean you're going to win all the time.

Unless of course you're just looking for any old reason to have a moan, in which case, carry on.

[stuartmmcfc]

ISTR that it's the 12 month anniversary of rather a memorable afternoon for us tomorrow

[im]

The money arrived in the account?

[mylesmcd]

jammy_basturd said:

essexplumber said:

And thats great for English football isn't it.

I'm not sure I understand the economics of your argument EP.

For ages there was a 'top four', but realistically only three of those were in with much chance of winning it. But it was a top four because the same four teams perennially got the CL spots and the money associated with the CL.

Now though that fourth CL spot is up for grabs by any one of three or four teams and at least that means some of the CL money gets spread a little further throughout the league.

Besides which, Chelsea in the last few years, and Man City today have shown that even with limitless money, it doesn't mean you're going to win all the time.

Unless of course you're just looking for any old reason to have a moan, in which case, carry on.

I think that Essex means the top 3 or 4 places are predetermined before the season starts and that two of these are there on a lower level of skill and a higher level of outside investment than the rest.

Your argument would have been the same a couple of years ago, until the sheiks turned up!

[jammy_basturd]

mylesmcd said:

I think that Essex means the top 3 or 4 places are predetermined before the season starts and that two of these are there on a lower level of skill and a higher level of outside investment than the rest.

Your argument would have been the same a couple of years ago, until the sheiks turned up!

But it's a ridiculous argument. Teams have always been disadvantaged or advantaged against one another, whether that's through the revenue of a fanbase, or the finances of an owner.

[stuartmmcfc]

I really don't think the top 4 are predetermined before thestart.
IMO the contenders are:
City, Utd, Chelsea, Arsenal, Spurs and Everton for starters.
That makes 6 and I'm sure its going to be tough for everyone

[essexplumber]

jammy_basturd said:

mylesmcd said:

I think that Essex means the top 3 or 4 places are predetermined before the season starts and that two of these are there on a lower level of skill and a higher level of outside investment than the rest.

Your argument would have been the same a couple of years ago, until the sheiks turned up!

But it's a ridiculous argument. Teams have always been disadvantaged or advantaged against one another, whether that's through the revenue of a fanbase, or the finances of an owner.

Is there a statatician (sp) among us who can look at the turnaround season on season of clubs in the top 4 places in the years leading up to say 2003?

[im]

stuartmmcfc said:

I really don't think the top 4 are predetermined before thestart.
IMO the contenders are:
City, Utd, Chelsea, Arsenal, Spurs and Everton for starters.
That makes 6 and I'm sure its going to be tough for everyone

You forgot a very big team with a massive fan base worldwide















Newcastle.

[jammy_basturd]

You mean turnover? Is there any point?

stuartmmcfc said:

I really don't think the top 4 are predetermined before thestart.
IMO the contenders are:
City, Utd, Chelsea, Arsenal, Spurs and Everton for starters.

With respect to Everton, and it's amazing what they achieve given their budget, I don't think many consider them serious top four contenders.

As I said, the top three are most likely going to be City, Utd, Chelsea, in no particular order. Then, you're right, there are a good three or four teams fighting for that last spot, between Arsenal, Spuds, maybe the likes of Newcastle again and maybe Everton.

Yes it would be great if one year, one team took us all by surprise and came from mid-table obscurity to win the league, but in the history of the top division, when has that ever happened?

[im]

jammy_basturd said:

Yes it would be great if one year, one team took us all by surprise and came from mid-table obscurity to win the league, but in the history of the top division, when has that ever happened?

Prior to the Premier League that was entirely possible. The following all won the old first division in the 33 years between 1959 and 1992

Aston Villa
Nottingham Forest
Derby County
Leeds
Everton
Spurs
Liverpool
Burnley
Ipswich
Wolves
Man Utd
Arsenal

Since the inception of the premier league 20 years ago its only been

Arsenal
Blackburn
Man Utd
Chelsea
Man City

[ascayman]

im said:

Since the inception of the premier league 20 years ago its only been

Arsenal
Blackburn
Man Utd
Chelsea
Man City

And three of those five winners have bought thier titles.

[stuartmmcfc]

I'd say all 5 have done that- although any fool knows it takes more than money.


ps- sorry for forgetting Newcastle (I did consider them but, to be honest.... )

[ascayman]

stuartmmcfc said:

I'd say all 5 have done that

Thats nonsense and deep down you know it.

[jammy_basturd]

im said:

Prior to the Premier League that was entirely possible. The following all won the old first division in the 33 years between 1959 and 1992

Aston Villa
Nottingham Forest
Derby County
Leeds
Everton
Spurs
Liverpool
Burnley
Ipswich
Wolves
Man Utd
Arsenal

I imagine if you look at at at least half of those wins, most will have come during a period of dominance and after a wealthy benefactor had put in some cash?

[tamore]

jammy_basturd said:

im said:

Prior to the Premier League that was entirely possible. The following all won the old first division in the 33 years between 1959 and 1992

Aston Villa
Nottingham Forest
Derby County
Leeds
Everton
Spurs
Liverpool
Burnley
Ipswich
Wolves
Man Utd
Arsenal

I imagine if you look at at at least half of those wins, most will have come during a period of dominance and after a wealthy benefactor had put in some cash?

bang on. the scale of necessary investment has changed from the days when a telly rental guy or butcher could do it, but the principle is the same.

[im]

jammy_basturd said:

I imagine if you look at at at least half of those wins, most will have come during a period of dominance and after a wealthy benefactor had put in some cash?

Go on then, show me the wealthy benefactor for for half those wins...



A period of dominance doesn't apply to half of them either. Perhaps a good year.

My point is that prior to the EPL explosion it was possible for some non-descript team from the west midlands or elsewhere to win the league, today....no chance, ever.

[digikal]

im said:

You forgot a very big team with a massive fan base worldwide


Newcastle.

Newcastle arent a big club and neither do they have a massive fan base!

Meanwhile City fans look like they are having a great time in Amsterdam

[hornetrider]

Good hit