The gradual decline of the established top 4

[JAYTALITY]

I'm just pulling this theory from me hole but..

Perhaps stability of the usual league and top four hopefu has obliterated is not exactly because of TV money or a freak one-off season. I think this is a direct result of Ferguson calling it a day.

Such was the consistency of United through the nineties and naughties that they were the standard. The team to line yourself up against in terms of success. With one or two teams dropping out of the United race a few gained that United fitness of sustained success.

Now that United have changed manager and drastically dropped standard all the other teams are lost and don't have Ferguson to chase.

Or maybe just coincidence. Food for thought.

Have you your own theory?

 

[ilikecheese]

 

[rascal]

I just think that every team is crud, it's a matter of the least worst instead of the absolute best

 

[JAYTALITY]

I just think that every team is crud, it's a matter of the least worst instead of the absolute best

I know that but has Ferguson's departure caused the bar to drop.

 

[Alanbileysfeathercut]

It's hard to disagree but I'm sure someone will

 

[roydo]

Football, like any sport, is cyclical.

 

[flibbyflob]

Football, like any sport, is cyclical.

It is, just frustrating that in a season when so many of the so called big clubs have been poor we have been terrible with what on paper looks a very good squad.

 

[rascal]

It is, just frustrating that in a season when so many of the so called big clubs have been poor we have been terrible with what on paper looks a very good squad.

Would be up there challenging with a competent manager

 

[roydo]

It is, just frustrating that in a season when so many of the so called big clubs have been poor we have been terrible with what on paper looks a very good squad.

Would be up there challenging with a competent manager

Lets try and keep us out of the wider discussion lads. Plenty of threads already on that.

 

[rascal]

Lets try and keep us out of the wider discussion lads. Plenty of threads already on that.

Sorry Sir

 

[flibbyflob]

Lets try and keep us out of the wider discussion lads. Plenty of threads already on that.

Ok.

Do think we have missed a big opportunity this season though as City, United and Chelsea will all have new managers next season and will spend massively in the summer (more than we might) so we might not get anywhere near the top 4 even with some extra cash available.

Can't wait to see what Pep does at City as I expect him to attract world class talent to them and he will not be looking to win the league he will be looking to win that and the Champions League. A big rise in expectation of the manager from what we have at present in the English sides.

 

[roydo]

With Leicester, Spurs, West Ham, etc, it is really just a throwback to pre superduper sky/PL existence.

A decent manager, with decent players, could make inroads. Now the cash has levelled the playing field, and the weird circumstances this season with Chelsea, I would not bat an eyelid if it becomes a regular thing.

I am old enough to remember clubs like QPR, Palace, Norwich, Ipswich, Derby, West Brom, all make a serious impression on the league. There are only so many top top players around, and anyone good enough to play professional football has the ability to be part of a decent PL team.

Leicester proved that this season. As did Spurs to an extent.

 

[daza_1973]

Give it a few more seasons to prove its not a blip this season....
If West Ham, Spurs, Southampton or even Leicester are in pole position this time next year then I might consider a premier league sea change is happening.

 

[tsubaki]

I don't think its cash that has levelled things out, I think its more that the darwinian process of avoiding relegation has meant that enough of the rest of the PL have gradually found themselves better run (in terms of recruitment, youth development, coaching etc), whilst the top four have always had so much money that they haven't learned as much as a result.

I also don't think this is a phenomenon of this season - the year that the RS almost won the league was probably the first sign of it happening; the problem for them was that they ignored what had got them there and instead acted like a big club again.

 

[degsy]

Good, what ever the reason...it will all revert back if we ever get a decent team though...then it'll be back to the future...and back in your place upstarts.