Surely now it is clear that we can justify a larger top league. Dundee Utd (one of the countries largest teams and reaching Scottish cup semis) arguably still SPL quality but being relegated, Rangers and Hibs in scottish cup final clearly showing SPL quality.
That is 14 teams right now that are undoubtedly SPL quality. Add to that Falkirk who have more than matched Hibs in the league, and Raith Rovers who have been playing exciting football and shown they are more than capable of bringing the game to Hibs & Rangers this year and we would be looking at 16 teams easily. Not to mention Edinburgh City who I am genuinely thinking long term bet will fly up the leagues in the next decade(s).
Thats before we take into account St Mirren, Livingston and Dunfermline, that are all large enough clubs not to be kept down for too long (especially if not excluded from the top tier that is too restrictive and a closed shop.
SPL teams need to suck it up and do whats right. 16 or 18 team league.
More football overall to sell, less boredom from repetitive fixtures, more youngsters/playing at top level to be considered for international football and gaining top level experience, (weird how I am willing to bet Wallace will be in scotland squad again as soon as in SPL and playing in Europe (fingers crossed)… will he have magically become a better player?)
Will there ever be a time when the evidence is so obvious we are ready. For christ sake last years championship winners mounted a title challenge themselves this year!
Expanded SPL… Nows the time!
posted on 28/4/16
Comment Deleted by Site Moderator
posted on 28/4/16
You're chasing each other?
Oh my
posted on 28/4/16
comment by Dave The Jackal (U7727)
posted 1 hour, 12 minutes ago
comment by Papa Sasac (U1500)
posted 14 minutes ago
Dave - All the big leagues in Europe have this number of teams and the same issue with mid table games near end of season not meaning much. But if the fans only have one trip to each stadium and one home game v each team, they're more likely to keep turnig out.
Also if we can make the league more marketable by expanding then you'd hope we can negotiate a fairer and more lucrative TV deal in future to make it worthwhile finishing 8th instead of 11th for example.
This in turn would hopefully result in improved coefficients in time and possibly extra Europa League places and such like for teams who aren't top or bottom of the league to play for.
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Papa, take your point about the big leagues in Europe all having 18-20 teams, therefore the problem of many meaningless, dead rubber games after Xmas ... They don't have a population of 5 million though, and far more TV money to play for, I suppose.
Not sure how expanding the league automatically makes it MORE marketable?! I'd argue it would be less marketable, unless I've missed the sudden demand to watch Morton vs QOTS on a Friday night? Wouldn't we just have the existing TV pittance spread across even more top flight clubs?
As for leading to an improved co-efficient, I'm really not sure how playing FEWER games against the likes of Aberdeen, Hearts, OF etc., and more against the likes of Morton and Falkirk, is going to better equip our top clubs for success in Europe! Really struggling with that one.
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Right now playing them 4 times doesnt appear to be doing much to help though.
In theory i get your point that theyll be stronger but in theory leeds and forest should be better than bournemouth or swansea but in reality smaller clubs can fill the void and be good enough once they reach the level.
posted on 28/4/16
Fluck sake, Curly and Mick agreeing with you Dave.
Admin will close your account when you are ready mate
posted on 28/4/16
Dave I'm not suggesting that right away the world will want to watch our league, Sky will give us fortunes and the top 10 will go straight into the champs league.
It's ifs, buts and maybes... As hypothetical discussions tend to be. I did also say in my 1st post that we need to look at this from a fans' interest perspective and getting bums back on seats should be a priority for me.
But money will rule the day and, if Lawell et al could have it their way, it would be a 4 team league with Old Firm games every other week.
What we have now isn't marketable, it isn't competitive, teams play too often, TV give us peanuts, sponsors are hard to come by and prize money is shambolic. As a result, League 1 in England is overtaking us in terms of competition and also financially so players can earn more money there than at Rangers.
We need a shakeup and something radical should be attempted. 14 teams isn't radical enough, it only saves Dundee Utd and Killie for anothet season.
posted on 28/4/16
Comment Deleted by Site Moderator
posted on 28/4/16
Fs, that'll crash the site.
posted on 28/4/16
Comment Deleted by Site Moderator
posted on 28/4/16
Stevie been typing his reply since quarter past 12....
posted on 28/4/16
Why reservations of if we have quality to have an 18 team SPL? 15 years ago are you telling me you thought Ross County, Inverness, Partick Thistle and Hamilton would be established SPL teams? No, thought not.
But with SPL status allows teams financial stability, and the offer of a better class of football (against old firm) and a chance to make a name for yourself. Small clubs quickly rise to assume the role of SPL teams. Youngsters get their chance, and soon we are all talking about them as established teams.