Signs could not be clearer now is the right time. SPL have 11 teams showing they have the quality to remain there, and 1 massive club who no-one would question are a 'premiership team'. Dundee Utd, no-matter how you look at it, would be a loss to the top flight. Add the top 3 in championship who are all also showing Premiership class and coming with big fan bases and we are suddenly looking at a core of 15 strong teams. Add to that teams who given the opportunity in the top flight you sense would go from strength to strength such as Raith, QotS, Livingston, St Mirren, Dunfermline, Ayr and your looking at over 20 teams who wouldn't look out of place. If we could up to a 18 team league we'd also be looking at 50% more scottish players playing at that top level being considered for international selection. The fact that players like Wallace can just be dismissed because of the teams they are playing is ludicrous.
Also, Anyone heard any rumours of Colt teams in discussions? Old Firm reserve sides would boost TV deals for lower leagues as well as allow for blooding of some of the countries best youth at a young age (all to often only happens once the old firm have given up on them and they get their chance elsewhere). Seems a no brainer. Spain and Germany hardly seem to be struggling!
Bigger Top League
posted on 17/1/16
I think there would still be relegation in a reconstruction. There definitely should be relegation.
Aberdeen in 2000 only got saved because Falkirk stadium wasn't at then SPL requirements. Had it been Raith Rovers or Airdrie finished in 3rd they'd have gone up.
Although the rule on stadium being 10000 seater was strange as there were only a few teams in the first division then that had the requirements. There was always a decent chance that the bottom team would be saved.
posted on 17/1/16
Fook an expanded top fight for at least 2 years. DU are going down and they can earn the right to get bsck in the top of flight. Theyre not gettin saved from relegation by expanding the top flight. Fook them
posted on 17/1/16
Heard that annoying "meaningless" mid table games argument during a discussion the other night on Radio Scotland. 99% of leagues in the world have these types of games and teams that are never gonna get relegated or really challenge for the title, but it does not resort in them saying "oh well lets butcher our set up and make up some crazy league idea".
We are seriously harming our game in this country by not going back to a bigger league and getting rid of this nonsense of playing each other 4 times. As for the argument that TV companies love the idea of 4 old firm games a season, I have never understood it, surely the prospect of 2 a season that mean so much more is actually a better selling point. Going back to the case of the mid table "safe" teams, this is where you get the chance for good quality youngsters to get their chance and get decent game time. If your club has got itself into a position where it knows it is safe from relegation, it then takes the pressure off of managers and they can blood these players, and this can only benefit the league and our national team.
posted on 18/1/16
How dare Dundee United's chairman oppose Rangers staying in the top flight after liquidation. The sheer cheek of the guy.
No wonder you have it in for the club.
The sheer cheek
posted on 18/1/16
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posted on 18/1/16
comment by Esctosh (U8215)
posted 13 hours, 11 minutes ago
Fook an expanded top fight for at least 2 years. DU are going down and they can earn the right to get bsck in the top of flight. Theyre not gettin saved from relegation by expanding the top flight. Fook them
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It shouldn't matter who may benefit from it, if it's best for the game, then it should dhappen, and my personal belief is it will improve the game in Scotland.
Re the potential for meaningless games, there must be other ways to incentivise; make the financial benefits for each higher position significant, etc.
I also agree that fewer OF games who make them more of an event for TV, and there should be enough decent teams to give us meaningful/attractive/desirable games most weeks.
posted on 18/1/16
comment by Gers6666 (U20154)
posted 13 hours, 45 minutes ago
Heard that annoying "meaningless" mid table games argument during a discussion the other night on Radio Scotland. 99% of leagues in the world have these types of games and teams that are never gonna get relegated or really challenge for the title, but it does not resort in them saying "oh well lets butcher our set up and make up some crazy league idea".
We are seriously harming our game in this country by not going back to a bigger league and getting rid of this nonsense of playing each other 4 times. As for the argument that TV companies love the idea of 4 old firm games a season, I have never understood it, surely the prospect of 2 a season that mean so much more is actually a better selling point. Going back to the case of the mid table "safe" teams, this is where you get the chance for good quality youngsters to get their chance and get decent game time. If your club has got itself into a position where it knows it is safe from relegation, it then takes the pressure off of managers and they can blood these players, and this can only benefit the league and our national team.
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In a larger league there are less meaningless mid-table games as there is every chance your team can put together a wee run and climb quite a few places as a result. In a small league where teams play each other so often this is a lot harder to do.
posted on 18/1/16
It should happen
It needs to happen
If it does relegation should still happen as normal.
Probably the main reason it hasn't is because it would have benefited rangers returning by a year
posted on 18/1/16
Think it would be far more entertaining watching DU, Hibs and Falkirk battle it out for promotion next season.
posted on 18/1/16
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