Not really suggesting that what's happening in La Liga is healthy, more that it's a problem in most of the bigger European leagues, and the difference is only in the degree due to the difference in available funds of the clubs involved. You can't blame Madrid for having more money than the rest of the league any more than you can blame Man U for having more money than Blackburn, or Wolves having more money than Tranmere.A competitive second tier is very important to keep the top teams honest when they let their standards slip. How can a league be called a healthy one when there's a 30 point gap between the top 2 and 3rd?
To be fair, it's a fairly recent phenomenon that's occured because Barcelona under Guardiola have emerged as possibly the greatest club side that's ever played the game. If Barcelona weren't so good, Real Madrid wouldn't have spent the money they have to stay in front.A competitive second tier is very important to keep the top teams honest when they let their standards slip. How can a league be called a healthy one when there's a 30 point gap between the top 2 and 3rd?
Yep, there's no questioning Barcelona's quality. Most of their players have also gone on to replicate their success at international level. It's the way Real Madrid steamroll the rest that is a bit worrying.To be fair, it's a fairly recent phenomenon that's occured because Barcelona under Guardiola have emerged as possibly the greatest club side that's ever played the game. If Barcelona weren't so good, Real Madrid wouldn't have spent the money they have to stay in front.
8 of that starting XI, and 10 out of the 14 players used by Barcelona last night came through their youth setup btw, which is incredible.
To be fair, Real Madrid have 3 of the Spanish national side, and have pulled themselves a level above the rest of La Liga due to their prestige and financial muscle.Yep, there's no questioning Barcelona's quality. Most of their players have also gone on to replicate their success at international level. It's the way Real Madrid steamroll the rest that is a bit worrying.
Agree with every line of that.I don't think it's a quality thing but a mental thing now. Barca and Real have broken the spirits of the other teams. They have the most money, get paid the most money in TV rights; they have the best players; they have the best coaches; they have the best stadiums; they get an inordinate amount of attention; they probably get more of the ref decisions; etc.
That means when the other teams face them, once they go behind, or even before the match; they're consigned to defeat. The teams in La Liga seem far too accepting of loss against these two. Such a thing doesn't happen in the CL as other teams are also champs and don't have this mentality, so matches are of course closer. Barca and Real are awesome teams but the points tallies in La Liga are getting a bit ridiculous.
Contrast with the EPL where teams are far more evenly attended to. They get an equal share in the TV money; they therefore have better squads and coaches; more English players play in teams not in the top 4 and hence get more attention by the press too; etc. In general, it gives the impression that "This is the EPL; when you face a big club, it's your chance to make a name for yourself so go and do it". Even the small sides in the EPL are very hard to beat. Right now United is first in the EPL. If they continue getting the same point-rate; they will finish with 79 points - a very low score for champions showing how competitive it is now.
Complete mince.I don't think it's a quality thing but a mental thing now. Barca and Real have broken the spirits of the other teams. They have the most money, get paid the most money in TV rights; they have the best players; they have the best coaches; they have the best stadiums; they get an inordinate amount of attention; they probably get more of the ref decisions; etc.
That means when the other teams face them, once they go behind, or even before the match; they're consigned to defeat. The teams in La Liga seem far too accepting of loss against these two. Such a thing doesn't happen in the CL as other teams are also champs and don't have this mentality, so matches are of course closer. Barca and Real are awesome teams but the points tallies in La Liga are getting a bit ridiculous.
Contrast with the EPL where teams are far more evenly attended to. They get an equal share in the TV money; they therefore have better squads and coaches; more English players play in teams not in the top 4 and hence get more attention by the press too; etc. In general, it gives the impression that "This is the EPL; when you face a big club, it's your chance to make a name for yourself so go and do it". Even the small sides in the EPL are very hard to beat. Right now United is first in the EPL. If they continue getting the same point-rate; they will finish with 79 points - a very low score for champions showing how competitive it is now.
Funny player Anderson. I swear when he first showed up he was actually a lot better (or at least gave that impression) than he currently seems to be. It seems as if he has actually regressed somewhat, in a similar vein to Denilson perhaps. I swear when he was in the side more frequently around 2007 and 2008 he really looked like he was showing the potential to step up as a replacement for Scholes...or maybe my memory is just dodgy.Yeah, Fabio and Evans are genuinely better than that but the rest just aren't much use in general.
Anderson went to pieces when we started losing. Frustrating to see him play so badly when he had such a great game on Saturday.
Yeah, he had a very impressive first season and tailed off. I wouldn't say he's like Denilson.. Denilson's clearly lacking something in his game. Anderson just doesn't play well often enough. I think he might have fitness issues, seems to get subbed off a lot and goes completely missing in games sometimes.Funny player Anderson. I swear when he first showed up he was actually a lot better (or at least gave that impression) than he currently seems to be. It seems as if he has actually regressed somewhat, in a similar vein to Denilson perhaps. I swear when he was in the side more frequently around 2007 and 2008 he really looked like he was showing the potential to step up as a replacement for Scholes...or maybe my memory is just dodgy.
Anyone could've had a great game on Saturday in fairness, i could've ran that midfield. Put Anderson up against an opponent who fancies a match and he doesnt deliver. Hasnt for at least 2 years. The new Klebersen.Yeah, Fabio and Evans are genuinely better than that but the rest just aren't much use in general.
Anderson went to pieces when we started losing. Frustrating to see him play so badly when he had such a great game on Saturday.