SPL split starts making sense
Hold that result. I might have changed my mind again.
Yes, yes, yes I plead guilty to the crime of inconsistency. But this time my indecision is final.
It's the player of the year thing. A first it was Pedro Mendes and then it was maybe definitely Scott Brown, but now I just can't rule Andy Dorman out of the equation.
Oh, and Kris Boyd has done not too shabbily.
And, incidentally, are we really going to play Norway in August with a 30-goal striker still in the huff with the national manager? Is there no Henry Kissinger-esque diplomat out there?
Meanwhile, don't give me that you-can't-give-it-to-a-player-whose-club-haven't-won-anything argument.
That didn't compute for Alan Rough, Gordon Wallace and Andy Ritchie and it doesn't add up now.
And as for the manager of the season, give me a break. How can you vote now when the business end of the term has still to unfold.
Sure, Csaba Laszlo has a case... but what if Gus MacPherson or John Hughes keep his club in the SPL and win the Scottish Cup? What if Gordon Strachan or Walter Smith completes a domestic double?
It's all dreadfully confusing and I can't get to sleep at nights. No wonder I take a wee nightcap.
But at least we are on the edge of our seats, hooked if not exactly by the Barcelona-like quality of our game, but at least by the thrill of the every-kick-matters climax of the season.
Years ago I wouldn't have given you a double blank for the top six and the split, but I've been wooed. And wow-ed.
After the weekend there will be just one team lost in the no-man's land of seventh position where Hibs or Motherwell - for it is one of them - will have no chance of Europe and no chance of relegation.
Celtic or Rangers will be champions - but then we knew that as we lay on the beaches last summer.
Except at times their performances have been so fragile that Hearts are entitled to wonder what might have been had they just been a little more solid on occasions.
Never mind splitting the Old Firm, because given that there is just a point between them you couldn't do that without the help of a hammer and a chisel, how about the championship itself?
I put it to you that this might have been the season for the overtaking lane.
It's been an odd few months. Embarrassed in Europe, Rangers went out of two competitions in four months inclusive of a close season.
We were left to amuse ourselves in our own backyard before St Andrews Day, albeit Celtic had to go through the motion of final meaningless Champions' League fixture.
And for a while you might as well have looked to Fir Park for the green shoots of recovery. I watched some bad games in the deepest mid-winter.
But with the spring came hope. We had brilliant entertainment at Tynecastle on Saturday, and another thriller at St Mirren Park on Monday night.
And it's no coincidence. I put it to you, that the quality of the football grows with the grass.
Weather and pitch conditions are huge factors in the playing of our game. Summer football; trust me, it is the answer.
But that is a debate for another day.
For now there is the prospect of six weeks of indecision, no-one really sure of what happens next at the top, at the bottom - and for one week only - in the middle.
And that's good. Football shouldn't be predictable, it is sport and it should depend on the bounce of the ball and moments of precious inspiration. It's about blood, sweat and tears and it should rip at your emotions.
And believe me, for the fans of 11 SPL teams it will.
Meanwhile, if you follow Hibs or Motherwell, get yourself a good book.
"Tell them who you are and what you are about," they said. To be honest, there are days when I struggle to remember myself. Forty years toiling at the coalface of football journalism does that to you. But I have reason to believe that I have reached the heady heights of the title of Football Correspondent of BBC Scotland which gives me a renown, in Scottish terms, of somewhere between Alex Salmond and the deep fried Mars Bar.
© MMIX~RS~q~RS~~RS~z~RS~00~RS~)
Comments
Sign in or register to comment.
Kris Boyd scoring 30+ goals in the SPL means nothing when it comes to the International team. Why must this argument rage? Ross McCormack and Steven Fletcher would have him on toast for who are the top Scotland strikers. Scoring hatricks against your Kilmarnocks and your Falkirks mean nothing. How many has he scored against 'opposition'? Even Walter doesn't trust in half the big games despite his 'sight for goal'. I do recall you suggested David Weir in the centre of defence when they came to play Holland last month...pity the entire Rangers team could not represent Scotland huh ;)?
Complain about this comment
Summer football? will that improve the disposition of certain players towards the national set up?
Complain about this comment
hatricks against your Kilmarnocks and your Falkirks mean nothing
----------------------------------------
No they don't they mean 3 valuable points. I'm sick of this, anyone who actually watched the game at the weekend would see Boyd was a thorn in Motherwell's side, his pressing and persistence led to the first goal, he pulled a couple of cracking saves out of Smith as well as a contender for goal of the season. He may have games where he doesn't do as much but if you're telling me Fletcher never has an ineffective game then you're lying through your teeth.
Fletcher is overrated, I'm glad he scored against Iceland but he is not a better player than Boyd, he has 8 goals in the sPL Boyd has 25. I know who I'd be betting on to stick one in when it counts. He may not have scored against Celtic this season but Boyd has scored against every other team who else has done that?
Complain about this comment
Great blog Chick! Your getting better. Imagine what you'll be like in 30 years in the business : ). Our game sucks but nice to see a positive spin on it. We desperately need summer football and a 16 team premiere league but that would require rational assesement and foresight from the clubs and controlling powers so...until we have a month where every day is the Lords day I guess I'll try and enjoy it. Cheers y'all
Complain about this comment
"It's the player of the year thing. A first it was Pedro Mendes and then it was maybe definitely Scott Brown, but now I just can't rule Andy Dorman out of the equation. Oh, and Kris Boyd has done not too shabbily."
Does anyone else read that as Kris Boyd is a candidate for Player of the Year?
Brilliant Chico, Best laugh I've had in a long while.
Complain about this comment
#1 Your arguement doesn't stack up saying Boyds hat-tricks against killie and falkirk don't count. Fletcher has played both these teams plenty this season and i don't remember him scoring many hat-tricks.
As for manager of the year their is only one contendor, Csaba Lazlo. From a team falling apart and finishing 8th last season to looking good for 3rd and with a clubs attitude completely transformed with the same players (minus the captain/best player of course).
They call him the Miracle Man in Uganda for a reason
Complain about this comment
I think this blog is actually making a few good points for once Chick.
However, your bizarre writing style never ceases to amaze me. What's with all the "i put it to yous" and "trust mes"??!!
Write your blog! We know that you are "putting it to us" already.
Stop stereotyping yourself!
Laszlo for manager of the year!
Complain about this comment
In response to the Kris Boyd supporters - your arguments in response are even more flawed. What Fletcher offers in a game is far more than Boyd can, particularly against tougher opposition. Unfortunately the guy is unproven against 'proper' opposition. The hatricks may get three valuable points but where is Kris Boyd when the starting 11 is chosen against Celtic or against Europes finest (aka Kaunas)?
Setting that aside, Chick's overall point is good...it's insanity to try and suggest that players/managers etc. of the year should be decided at this stage. Similarly in England, all the Man Utd players are up for the awards because nominations were made only 3/4 of the way through...
Complain about this comment
sorry chick, i stopped reading after 'another thriller on monday night'
mondays game between st. mirren and hibs was awful.
dorman was the only player out the starting elevens that id say looked like he could play at a better level.
if thats a thriller in the spl i dont want to know..
Complain about this comment
Nice job as usual Chick.
I am a non Old Firm supporter [my team is in Div2]
I can't understand the abuse that Boyd gets for scoring goals.
He scored lots at Killie.He scored lots with Rangers and he actually has a good record for Scotland, but for some reason he never seems to score them when it counts?
Is that really an argument? How about "he never scores against teams with five vowels in their name" [I tried up to 4 vowels but he had]
Complain about this comment
Unfortunately the guy is unproven against 'proper' opposition
-------------------------
So basically all we've got to go on is SPL form where Boyd is miles ahead.
Boyd is not used in more defensive formations as he is not a lone striker this doesn't make him a bad player or a bad option for Scotland.
I could understand fletcher's argument that despite a few less goals he creates more if he was sitting 15-20 goals but he's nowhere near Boyd's scoring level.
Boyd abandoned Burley because he didn't use him ahead of an unproven player and a debutant, and still didn't bring him on despite having a substitution remaining. I can understand (and I'm sure Kris would too) if he wasn't starting against Holland but to not even be good enough for last sub against Norway when we are desperate for a goal is mind boggling. I fully understand his frustration and quite frankly Burley is a m.oron for that decision. He then proceeds to criticise Boyd's game when he has had no influence on the result in question. He also says Boyd isn't playing regularly enough, there were three or four players at least in the starting line up that day who had played the same amount or less games than Boyd had at that point in the season. How anyone can't understand Boyd's frustration is beyond me. Personally I wouldn't have quit the setup but I don't blame Boyd for doing so and if he and Burley made up I'd welcome him back.
A lot of people on here who never really watch a whole match Boyd plays seem to have an opinion on him that he never runs or puts any effort in, this is not true. Admittedly he has bad games but so does Fletcher, Iwelumo, McCormack. It seems the bar has been set so much higher for Boyd than any other Scotland striker, is it because he's a Rangers player, do you not like the look of him? At least be honest about it, because claiming Fletcher is a better player doesn't cut it for me. Please provide proof as I didn't see against Iceland, Fletcher battled but he had little touch, could hardly hold up the ball and scored from point blank range, and had Boyd been playing I'm sure he'd have stuck that away too, he's pretty good in the air. He's also scored an over head kick, a couple of free kicks, volleys and long rangers this season so he has a lot more in his locker than people credit him for. My only complaint about Boyd is he looks a bit overweight but that could be said for many SPL players.
Boyd doesn't score important goals. He scored a very important first goal against Georgia last campaign, a decent side who beat us away. He has scored against Hearts and Dundee utd a few times, apart from Celtic these are the best teams he can score against, and considering he rarely starts old firm games I think he does ok.
If available I'd have McCormack and Boyd starting every home Scotland game.
Complain about this comment
Chick,
The picture you have chosen once and for all shows that you are fascinated with Rangers.
I do however agree with your point that 'summer' football would be a step forward.
Complain about this comment
It would make a really pleasant surprise if any of the major, end-of-season awards went to anyone outwith the big two. In fact, now that Stevie Simth is getting a game for Rangers there'll be the usual calls for him to be capped, why not throw in player of the year too. Here's hoping for something new.
Complain about this comment
now that Stevie Simth is getting a game for Rangers there'll be the usual calls for him to be capped,
-----------------------------------
That'll go along with the cappings of any and every youngster at Aberdeen and Dundee utd.
Complain about this comment
The fact that Boyd is the only striker 20+ goals this season with no-one else even close should certainly be recognised, whether he is POTY or not I'm not sure but to say he shouldn't be considered is clearly a biased view.
Complain about this comment
#1 Steven Fletcher is one of the most one-footed professional players I've ever seen. At least Boyd can score goals with his weaker foot. Flecther's reputation was also knocked a bit by his performance in the cup game against Hearts infront of a number of EPL scouts and a UK wide TV audience when he missed a sitter and got himself sent off for a rash tackle.
On the subject of the blog, there are no real outstanding candidates for player of the year this year. Usually one player stands out from the crowd. Scott Brown is probably in with a shout along with Mendes. Aguiar has probably missed too much of the season to be considered. I'd certainly say Boyd would have a chance considering the number of goals he scored. If he scored 29 goals for any other team he'd probably have more support.
Manager of the year is also tough. Whoever wins the league would have a claim but as a previous poster stated if Gus McPherson or Yogi Hughes win the cup and keep their side up so would they.
Not sure about Laszlo for helping Hearts to 3rd. To be honest Hearts should be finishing 3rd and that is no greater achievement than say Billy Reid taking Hamilton to 9th or 10th. People talk about the gulf in OF players wages compared to the rest of the SPL but Hearts wage bill must be massive compared to say Dundee Utd, Aberdeen or Hibs. Kingston, Nade and Aguiar are probably on more money than the entire Utd or aberdeen starting XI.
Complain about this comment
It would make a really pleasant surprise if any of the major, end-of-season awards went to anyone outwith the big two
------------------------------
Considering they're top of the table, scoring charts etc, surely it would make sense that Rangers and Celtic are being considered for awards.
I agree though that Lazlo must get MOTY he has worked miracles on limited resources and had to sell his captain who was an important player.
Complain about this comment
Boyd scores against everyone. Give him half decent service and he'll score goals. It's as simple as that. Of course Boyd should be in the mix for POTY. Every other striker in the division plays the same teams that Boyd is up against and no-one is even close to him.
The only reason that i wouldn't give him the award is because he's a big bairn!
Good blog again Chic, that's two in a row! Keep this up and we'll begin to think that you write for a living...
Complain about this comment
Chic,Kris Boyd for player of the year why not?,remember a few seasons back big Hartson got joint with Ricksen,the reason,he was top scorer.if my memory serves me right Hartson scored 25 goals, Boyd at the minute is on 26,so again Boyd why not?ps if McDonald can get player of the month for March with only 3 goals,anything can happen.
Complain about this comment
Good to see that you are keeping up your usual low standards Chic. This is almost as bad as the job you did standing in for Traynor on Your Call at the weekend. Throw in a few cheap references to Andy Dorman and Gus MacPherson in a pathetic attempt to fool the public into believing you support St Mirren. It is clear to everyone that you are completely infatuated with Rangers.
Complain about this comment
I hear Chick doesn't read these comments, so perhaps this is pointless?
I just want to say Chick that although I don't like your blog or Scottish football, and biase towards Rangers based on close connections that so many point out being painfully obvious, I have to say your last 2 haven't been bad! I normally only read as I find it hilarious to see everyone point out the big story that you've managed to completely ignore each week!
I think most of the comments here are simply the "Chick haters" putting their tuppence in out of habit.
Sure this week's piece was very short, & didn't really have anything of significance in it (maybe that's why I didn't mind it), but it was a perfectly acceptable read.
To steam into Chick for suggesting that a 30 goal striker should be in the international squad is ridiculous! It's a fair opinion, whether you agree with him or not! Pick your arguments people, or it simply looks like you're picking them for the sake of it!
Complain about this comment
This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the House Rules.
Boyd has made himself unavailable for his country. It is that simple. Until he goes to the team manager and says he wants to play for Scotland again then any talk of him playing against Norway is irrelevant.
Complain about this comment
Boyd wont play for Burley again because he is too stubborn to apologise for his huffy reaction and Burley obviously wont back down..
Player of the year should go to a less recognised player this year from a team outside the Old Firm.. because both teams have been awful.. and I'm a Celtic fan.
Craig Levein would get my vote for manager as he has done good business in the transfer market consistently with a small budget and systematically out manouvres Strachan, Smith and Laszlo with his tactics/team changes.
Complain about this comment
# 24 I agree with you on Boyd and player of the year but Levin? Dundee utd are the SPL's answer to Stoke in football terms they are a horrible team, and a bunch of bottlers Aberdeen are meltdown with the fans calling for the manger to be sacked and utd still cant over take them, other ever out of Hibs and Motherwell finish 7th will be guttted cause 4th place is there for the taking off either the Dons or Utd. Manger of the year Laszlo or Reid
Complain about this comment
bd wrote ...........That'll go along with the cappings of any and every youngster at Aberdeen and Dundee Utd............. Yes, well, I've noticed that's a huge list.
As for player of the year, surely there must be some part of that judged on attitude and professionalism? If awards are going to handed out based on how many goals you can score against Hamilton, St Mirren and Inverness and every other team in the bootom six, then we are in a sad state.
Boyd has been playing well as of late, no doubt. But his manager regularly leaves him out, he rarely scores in the big, crunch games, his work rate is suspect and his attitide leaves a lot to be desired.
Player of the year has to be judged on the whole package and it doesn't always follow that the best player comes from the best team, as in the SPL, every team has proved a match for the big two, they just can't compete over the course of a whole season and that's just down to money and squad size.
Andy Dorman, Stephen Hughes, James MacArthur, Radek Cerny, Lee Wallace, Lee Wilkie and Scott Arfield have all put in sterling shifts for their clubs this season and are all equally worthy of a shout at the top prize.
Complain about this comment
I'm suprised you haven't mentioned Billy Reid's name for MOTY, he's surpassed all expections, everyone thought Hamilton would go straight back down but its looking likely they'll stay up, what he's done with the young team he has is quite an achievement.
Also, can we all not just get over this whole Boyd and Scotland thing, he's not the big miss the media is making him out to be, how many goals has he scored against Celtic? Its like 1 goal in 20 odd games, his goals in Europe are also minimal, we have better young players who bring more to the team in Fletcher and McCormack.
Complain about this comment
As for Boyd's goals; 6 have been penalties and he has only scored 3 times against any of the teams in the top half.
Complain about this comment
The quality of our game has been so bad this year, it's hard to even think of a player or manager of the year. Still, the standard has led to an interesting end to the season - at least that's something.
Mendes (like Davis) seems to be exempt from criticism from the Rangers fans. Aside from the 4-2 game at Parkhead, there have been only a few other highlights. I'm not sure why he's even being considered.
Brown gives you everything he has & is now adding goals to his game, but he is still rought around the edges & is by no means the finished article.
Whilst you can't disregard Boyd's goals, have a look at the stats to see how he's reached that figure. When he does feature in a 'big' game he does nothing - simple as.
Picking one of the above would be taking the best from a bad bunch. I'd maybe even say Driver from Hearts or Wilkie at DUFC.
As for manager, if Strachan or Smith win the league, it has to be them.
Complain about this comment
Starting from media coverage of the game, the journalists that comment on the game and the personalities (or lack of) that present the game. The coverage is still stuck in the 70’s while the whole world has moved on.
As for edge of the seats, hardly.
And what was the prime reason for splitting the league?
As for Boyd, hmmm. I bet Mark Hately could score at least 10 goals today. The standard of Scottish football is dire. Setanta could probably reduce their package by 50% and get away with it.
Wholesale changes are needed in Scotland but with three governing bodies it is unlikely to happen. Other countries have progressed yet Scotland it seems is standing still if not going backwards.
Complain about this comment
Chic,
God, are you still going on about Kris Boyd? As at Hampden, if we did play him against Norway, we'd be as well taking the field with 10 men. Boyd is only effective against your Ross Tokely's etc., and I don't see him playing in the Norway defence in August. When Boyd comes up against a defender with ANY sort of defensive nous (or even Stephen McManus), he doesn't get a kick. As for his 30 goals, I'll defer to Ebbe Skovdahl on that one - 'Statistics are just like mini-skirts, they give you good ideas but hide the most important thing'
You are right about Summer Football, it would be the way forward for us, but this would affect attendances, as fans would inevitabley be off on holiday around this time, and do you think teams outwith Rangers and Celtic (and there's even question marks over Rangers) could afford the drop in revenue?
Complain about this comment
This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the House Rules.
Couldn't agree more with the comments on how dire our game is in the domestic set-up. Too few games like Hearts v Celtic and the first Old Firm 4 v 2 derby; too many games like the CIS Cup Final.
Wholesale change is needed, agreed. All this talk about expanded leagues, pyramid structures, encouraging grass roots, etc. and it never happens. Only two Scots play in any of Europe's top divisions and our national team find Iceland a struggle.
Nobody outside Scotland wants to watch our product on the box with the domestic coverage heavily skewed toward watching Kirk Broadfoot embarrass himself or Scott Brown bark at somebody he's just halved.
Then there's the prospect of Dunfermline, Falkirk or St Mirren being knocked out of European competition in the qualifying stage next season by sheer virtue of fact they haven't won anything. They don't have to, play three games and hope somebody else gets to the final that that'll finish in the top three and you can dust down your passport.
There are around a half-dozen teams in the 1st division who could compete in the SPL and those teams in the 2nd and 3rd, well no better or worse than the Highland or Junior Leagues.
We continue to get worse and the only people who can't see at are those responsible for our game. We are slowly, but surely becoming a laughing stock.
Complain about this comment
"another thriller at St Mirren Park on Monday night."
What? Were you watching the same game as the rest of us, Chic? I was at a friends house on Monday night and talked him into watching it on Setanta as I am a Saints fan. By the end of it I was wishing he'd said no. If that was an example of what passes for a "thriller" in Scotland these days then the game really is finished. Dorman's goal was a bit special though.
As an exile I wasn't in Scotland when 'the split' was introduced and have never been able to make any sense of it despite asking what it's all about on many blogs. Any offers?
Complain about this comment
"Chic,Kris Boyd for player of the year why not?,remember a few seasons back big Hartson got joint with Ricksen,the reason,he was top scorer.if my memory serves me right Hartson scored 25 goals, Boyd at the minute is on 26,so again Boyd why not?ps if McDonald can get player of the month for March with only 3 goals,anything can happen."
I think you are missing the point mate. McDonald got the player of the month award because he single handedly dragged the celtic strike force through a torrid time, plus if you look at the ground McDonald covers, and the ground 'Boydinho' covers....the difference in contribution is obvious.
As with the Scotland scenario, its a priviledge to play for your country, not a right. If he was patriotic/greatful in any way he would have bided his time and waited for his chance, but like the rest of the Rangers 'Faithful' a rousing chorus of 'Rule Britannia' seems to take parity.
Complain about this comment
I don't understand all this whingeing about Kris Boyd and the short sightedness of some of the people who criticise him. If Samaras or Sandaza or Clarkson or Fletcher or any other striker in the SPL scored 30 goals a season he would be a hero as well as player of the year. FACT
Complain about this comment
Given the amount of goals Boyd has scored (regardless of who they have been scored against) he should normally be considered for POTY.
But walking out on Scotland after being left on the bench the way he did followed by his his tantrum at Rangers shows that he doesn't have the right attitude to be a geniune candidate!
Complain about this comment
I am not one for usually commenting on any blog, I do enjoy the reading, then enjoy reading the posts even more usually than the blog. T'is fun watching the slanging matches going back and forward "you said this I said that, how dare you..." it never fails to bring a smile.
Anyway on reading comment 12, I have got to say I have finally read a well balanced view on the non ending Kris Boyd enigma of Scottish Football. And I would like to applaud your thoughts.
I AM IN NO WAY A RANGERS FAN, but I have a lot of friends who are (and season ticket holders for over 25 years) and I find myself constantly argueing with them about why they berate a man who can score goals like his goal ratio proves he does. But somehow they just do not like him.
I totally understand his opinion with Burley, and he is entitled to do what he wants regarding Scotland. However I am a Scotland fan and would love someone of his record in the squad rather than not.
I think the reason most people get so worked up about the whole thing is jealousy having never been asked to wear the dark blue national shirt. Its his choice, get over it.
I would always have him starting in a formation with at least 2 strikers, anything with a lone striker is not his forte as Alex McLeish found out a few years ago now (why its still up for debate I have no idea). I would love to see Boyd up front with either McCormack, Maloney or McFadden ie someone who have a bit of flair and would do most of the leg work up front. But until Burley is sacked then he shan't see him back with Scotland (if the next manager wants him of course).
Boyd is a striker that will score goals, end of story.
Boyd deserves to be in the running for player of the year, as its based on league perfomances not internationals and his goals tally would normally ensure a gaurantee first place if his name wasn't Kris Boyd. I don't know how Davies has got in the final 4 but Mendes and Brown have defo proved their calibre this season.
Complain about this comment
A player scores 30 goals a season and gets dogs abuse, totally incredible. This is a simple game and the main object is to score goals at one end and not let them in at the other. Playing with swagger and style is obviously a bonus but you still need to win the game, so why is there such a fuss about a player doing his job?
Having said that, I think David Weir, Scott McDonald or Andy Dorman would be better choices. The MOTY award should be given to Billy Reid for what he's achieved at Hamilton, on a very limited budget.
As for the SPL split, please don't make me laugh. It's just totally ridiculous and makes our game look second rate and amateurish, get 16/18 teams in the league start producing and PLAYING more young Scottish players, rather than most of the overpaid undertalented imports.
Complain about this comment
Re boyd
If rangers win anything this season Kris Boyd's phenominal goal scoring record will have been a massive contribution. Remember he was signed for £500k from Kilmarnock.
Celtic paid a lot lot more for Samaras. which would you rather have in your team?
I think he is a fantastic goal scorer who seems to be sorting his atitude out for Rangers. The burley thing won't be a problem for long, Burley is damaged goods and won't last long.
If kris Boyd had been a £5m foreign import everyone would say waht a striker he was. He has won Rangers a lot of points this season, Fletcher has a bit to go to catch Boyd.
Complain about this comment
Firstly Chick what on God's Earth did that Kris Boyd comment have to do with anything? He decided not to play for Scotland unlike his pals at Rangers (and let's face it if with stories of Boyd in the past, if he was there after the Holland game i would guarantee 100% he would of been in that bar too)
I will agree with you though why we should be looking at managers of the season at this time of year, that should be announced a a few days or so after the season finished so whoever is on the panel can look through it thoroughly, but i would say as long as Hearts are solid enough in the last 5 games Laszlo should get it.
Summer football has to be considered though Chick. With dwindelling numbers at games yes clubs are freezing prices but if we played in the summer with nicer weather more people would want to go to the games rather than looking out the window on a december morning thinking "nah i'll give it a miss this week". It would also do the players saftey the power of good as how many times in the winter months on a freezing cold day do you see 2 or 3 players hobbling off with muscle injuries because they have over stretched in the cold. There's no need for it to be a winter game and i don't know how the SPL would be worrying for the World Cup or Euros because at the moment there is not many players from the SPL heading there and even if there was they just need to look to countries like Russia who play over the summer months for the setup.
If Hibs get in the top 6 this weekend i think we will have over achieved this season and i also don't believe we will mount any challenge for Europe. As for Motherwell though, the way they have played since Christmas if they get top 6 then don't be surprised if they are pushing for Europe in the end.
Complain about this comment
Chick, your argument doesn't stack up. Essentially you're saying that all of the last games of the season will be meaningful, except for the team in seventh. If there was no split, the team in seventh would still be in with an outside chance of Europe - so instead of 11 teams with something to play for, there'd be 12! Third to seventh playing for Europe and the rest fighting relegation. All the split achieves is putting a glass ceiling above seventh place and giving some managers the chance to claim that making the split is an "acheivement". It's not.
Complain about this comment
Why is Scottish football so gash?
Complain about this comment
This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the House Rules.
View these comments in RSS