Best league in the world? My Erse!

[Spoff]

For me the Spanish League has a lot more quality than the English League.

Yes, England have four very very good sides but after that Spurs, Everton and Villa are OK and the rest are pretty awful.

Spain have two great sides and the rest are technically better than their English counterparts.

If 1st played 1st, 2nd Vs 2nd through the leagues I would but my money on the Spanish sides coming out on top.

Again my opinion, despite being a proud Englishman, I much prefer watching spanish stuff on the tele.

6th Vs 16th is a better game from Spain than England.

 

[CrapHacker]

That's not your fault though - being Scottish you don't get to watch much proper football, do you.

Maybe not but we are not deluded enough to think our league is the greatest and every 4 years we'll win the world cup or european championships like you English. If your league is so great why is there so many empty seats at grounds week in week out it cant be that good then can it.

[/QUOTE]

Ahhhhh. You're talking National Idiocy, not localised idiocy. Huge difference. Our national team should be one of the top 4 international sides, but we're not. We are one of the top 8 sides, but we rarely play like it. Hence the National Idiocy. Something that the Scots no longer need to suffer from. But you have in the past ( was it '78 ? ). Not qualifying for many championships since then is a pretty good way to keep your feet firmly on the ground. If you don't ever reach the knockout stages, you'll be immune from the fever. Give me the fever every time.

But our league teams do achieve against international opposition, and so at the moment, if that's how to judge the league ( how good the footballing sides are ) then it's tricky to argue against.

If you are arguing that a league is better if it plays a lower quality football, but the teams are competitive with each other nationally, then obviously that stands up. But it seems a pretty dumb argument to me.

If you are saying that the league with most support is the best in the world, that's another possible justification. But difficult to quantify - I believe the South American fans are fanatical in their support, but noone ever rates their leagues as the best in the world.

The fact that the Premiership is full of money grabing accountants who want to fleece the supporters and the owners alike, and give it to overrated, overpaid flops, is not a good thing. But it's something we took over from Italy, and it brings a European League ever nearer. Do I want it to happen ? - no way. Is it likely to happen ? -eventually I think it's inevitable.

But until the split, then it's back to international competition. In the Champions league over the last 5 years there have been 10 teams in the final ( Jesus I'm good at maths ) and 5 different winners. England have provided 2 winners and 4 losing finalists, sharing that between 4 different teams. Barca have won it twice. And Milan have appeared twice - wining one, and losing the other.

So whilst there is good argument to suggest Barca are the best team, there is little argument that England have the better overall strength in depth.

What is the empty seat situation in Spain and Italy btw ?

 

[Imurg]

What is it with the people who say Chelsea were robbed by Barca????

Barca won the game - yes there were some dubious decisions against Chelsea but that's down to the ref not Barca!

Barca won because they scored and Chelsea didn't - get over it.

 

[CrapHacker]

For me the Spanish League has a lot more quality than the English League.

Yes, England have four very very good sides but after that Spurs, Everton and Villa are OK and the rest are pretty awful.

Spain have two great sides and the rest are technically better than their English counterparts.

If 1st played 1st, 2nd Vs 2nd through the leagues I would but my money on the Spanish sides coming out on top.

Again my opinion, despite being a proud Englishman, I much prefer watching spanish stuff on the tele.

6th Vs 16th is a better game from Spain than England.

Valid justification of a totally reasonable personal opinion.

But has absolutely no factual stading in making an objective judgement.

The facts say the the Premiership is better.

It won't forever be the case, so we should be proud of the facts while they last in our favour.

Also it annoys the hell out of Platini ( and some others, it appears )

 

[mono217]

Man utd problem there scum who thrive of others deafeat dont get me rong they have good players but everyone one of them are arrogant scum.

 

[CrapHacker]

Man utd problem there scum who thrive of others deafeat dont get me rong they have good players but everyone one of them are arrogant scum.

I'll just say Giggs for the time being

 

[Imurg]

Footballers are just guys who kick a ball about. Teams are made up of footballers.

Scum are the likes of baby P's parents or the Mum who kinapped her own daughter (don't remember the name - don't want to)

These people are scum. Ever wonder what's wrong with Society? Get some footy "fans" from rival teams together and you'll find out.

Rant over.......

 

[EchtLoon]

For me the Spanish League has a lot more quality than the English League.

Yes, England have four very very good sides but after that Spurs, Everton and Villa are OK and the rest are pretty awful.

Spain have two great sides and the rest are technically better than their English counterparts.

If 1st played 1st, 2nd Vs 2nd through the leagues I would but my money on the Spanish sides coming out on top.

Again my opinion, despite being a proud Englishman, I much prefer watching spanish stuff on the tele.

6th Vs 16th is a better game from Spain than England.

Valid justification of a totally reasonable personal opinion.

But has absolutely no factual stading in making an objective judgement.

The facts say the the Premiership is better.

It won't forever be the case, so we should be proud of the facts while they last in our favour.

Also it annoys the hell out of Platini ( and some others, it appears )

Sorry, but the facts show that the top 4 are better - if European competition is the benchmark.

Where is England in the UEFA? Boro lost a final a couple of years back, as have Rangers. There is no strength in depth in the prem, so overall La Liga is a stronger league when you take into account theuir UEFA cup results as well.

Enjoy the game, enjoy seeing Utd get beat. But don't be too quick to slag off something I'm sure you obviously don't understand very well. That's not your fault though - being Scottish you don't get to watch much proper football, do you.

If by 'proper football' you mean the EPL, then yes, until this season I was a season ticket holder at the Reebok, and while of course Bolton are hardly entertaining themselevs, the lack of quality from other teams is equally apparent.

 

[dangermouse]

Man utd problem there scum who thrive of others deafeat dont get me rong they have good players but everyone one of them are arrogant scum.

such erudite, well-thought out reasoning - I am sure this must be stephen fry writing under a nom de plume.

I thought they handled defeat quite well - no tears, no haranguing the referee, no asking UEFA to change the rules etc; they know they were well beaten and I am sure they are already taking steps to ensure it doesn't happen again.

Barcelona are a fine team and worthy European champions. Their success doesn't make our league poor though. The top 7 or 8 teams in England would probably defeat their Spanish opposites more often than not. Its those lower down who wouldn't - the likes of Boro, Newcastle etc are nowhere near the quality of teams such as Espanyol, Sociedad. Does this make one league stronger than the other? I dunno - maybe they can just be different?

 

[shanker]

Last season Bolton knocked Atletico Madrid out of the UEFA cup. Bolton were almost relegated. Atletico qualified for the Champions' League!
Come here and watch Numancia vs. Recreativo!

 

[Dodger]

man u struggled as they came up against something they don't do regular enough in their own back yard...a team that is good enough to keep possession.

 

[vig]

Any team that gives so much space to two top quality players such as Iniesta and Xavi would get torn apart.
I thought Anderson was a spectator from the first whistle.
I think the ocassion got to him.
When Carrick headed the ball away. Anderson gave a lame attempt to track back with Iniesta but couldn't/didn't keep up with him and just gave up. Frankly, if I had been the manager, I would have dragged him off there and then.
Man U sorely missed Fletcher and didn't have a replacement that was going to put in the leg work.
Giggs didn't help them out. Rooney looked a bit out of touch and after some early promise, Ronaldo looked un intersted.
As for Messi, he played a free role and they couldn't cope with him.
Van der Sar should NOT have been beaten at his near post, time for him to retire I think.

Had Utd scored first, it would have been a different game.

The better team won and Fergie was, for once complimentary of the "better" team on the night.

I think they should cash in on Ronaldo, sell Nani and use Giggs and Scholes sparingly next season. Foster has got to be given a chance or he'll be off.
Two big signings in the summer and normal service will be resumed.

 

[CrapHacker]

Yup, I think it's just a matter of time before Ronny starts with the 'poor old me, I want to get away' sob story.

Now might well be the time to cash in like you say.

 

[CrapHacker]

Sorry, but the facts show that the top 4 are better - if European competition is the benchmark.

Where is England in the UEFA? Boro lost a final a couple of years back, as have Rangers. There is no strength in depth in the prem, so overall La Liga is a stronger league when you take into account theuir UEFA cup results as well.

Why would I want to do that ?

Haven't watched a Uefa game for years. Second rate cup for 2nd rate teams.

Irrelevant.

Brrrrrrrrrr, at the thought of watching Everton in Europe. Shame on you.

Judge the best, against the best. That's the Champions league, that is. And we all know it.

If by 'proper football' you mean the EPL, then yes, until this season I was a season ticket holder at the Reebok, and while of course Bolton are hardly entertaining themselevs, the lack of quality from other teams is equally apparent.

I used to quite like Bolton under Alladyce. Anyone following him was bound to struggle, of course.

 

[M1tch]

prem is the best league !!! when i watch Spain or any other leagues they are so boring but the prem its fun to watch !

 

[USER1999]

Fergie has wasted some dosh over the years. He has a real scatter gun approach to the transfer market. Nani and Anderson, 30m, Carrick, 30m, Veron, 30m, wow, they were all top buys. It made me laugh (ok, Arse lost, so not much), but the United bench in the CL cost more than the whole Arsenal squad. Without all the cash to splash, he would be the worst manager in the prem.

Oh, and the player United needed on Wednesday was Hargreaves, to chase people down. Something every one else in white was too proud to do.

 

[Basher]

Premier League is a lot faster when compared to European football.
I must agree with M1tch to some extent. I've watched La Liga, Serie A and Bundesliga fotball and quite frankly find it to be somewhat boring. The objective of much club football on the continent appears to be to attempt to walk the ball into the back of the net, pass, pass, pass, even in the goal area. Give me wingers zipping down the line and delivering good crosses into the box. Darting runs from midfield, passing the ball FORWARDS and smashing it into the back of the net.
We must be doing something right over here, look how well the English clubs did in the Champions League! Not quite ultimate champions, but a good few fared well in the competition.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

I thought United were under par in most areas. As a Fulham fan I'll have a soft spot for Van Der Sar but he has looked a bit ropey in the last few games he's played so maybe time is catching up with him.

I actually thought Rooney did ok (and I'm not his biggest fan) but became more and more isolated out wide and then came inside and started chasing possesion instead of being the outlet. Vidic looked out of sorts and Ronladho looke disinterested for the entire 2nd half.

Fair play to Ferguson for once for being big enough to admit his side were 2nd best. I like watching Barca in La Liga as they play with a refreshing openenss. I'm not sure whether you can truely compare like for like when looking at different leagues. If you watch the bundersliga regularly there are a lot of efficient and workmanlike teams but no one team stands out as a must watch. The Dutch league is very poor quality wise outside the top 3 or 4 sides compared with most others and the Italian league lacks any real flair and is a avoid defeat at all cost mentality.

I think the most entertaining leagues as a spectator are la liga and the premiership but don't really think you can compare Mallorca with Blackburn etc. They play their own way to adapt to their own competitions.

 

[Dodger]

How come Barca who alot of you think play in an inferior league still managed to brush aside a team who was seen prior to kick off to be the Favourites? I think alot of that favourite tag was down to the press thinking that they had the right to be favs cos they play in the EPL which in my opinion is sooo overated,yep the top 4 are decent teams but the rest are either run of the mill or plain crap and that hindered Man U.....how many times do they come up against a team even anywhere near as good as Barca?When was the last time Man U were made to look as bad as a Toon side playing Liverpool?When was the last time Man U looked as clueless as they did last night?Barca were different class with the ball and different class without it too!

 

[Golfmmad]

Hey Dodger,

You seem to have a chip on your shoulder about English teams especially Man United. A team doesn't become a bad team overnight, and any side that reaches a Champions League final, win or lose has to be pretty good.
Yes Barcelona certainly outplayed them on the night, but Man United, from the Manager, the players and the fans, were magnanimous in defeat - now that's class!

Golfmmad.