True, and while sure it's obviously the primary factor that sets it apart from the leagues, it still provides a much higher quality product the further down the table you go compared to other leagues.

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and are top heavy

But England is top heavy with 5-6 different teams, other leagues are lucky to have even 3 viable teams.

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Usually outside of the top 8, English teams are rather horrible to watch.

I agree.

But again, some leagues outside the top 3-4 are horrible to watch.

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Posted by crazy4lsu

Member since May 2005

36311 posts

Posted on 8/7/14 at 9:45 pm to RandySavage

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it still provides a much higher quality product the further down the table you go compared to other leagues.

I don't know if I can agree with this catagorically. The only reason I think people say this is that there is familiarity with the players. And the quality varies from year to year. Some years the league is unwatchable. Last year the lower half of the table was extremely poor. The new TV deal should improve the quality of the players that those teams can buy though.

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But England is top heavy with 5-6 different teams, other leagues are lucky to have even 3 viable teams.

An extremely recent development. With the money pouring in, other leagues are taking notice and trying to restructure their TV deals. They won't catch up in terms of money, but it will allow them to at least offer competitive salaries to keep their players.

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But again, some leagues outside the top 3-4 are horrible to watch.

While true, there is a higher standard of standard of play on the continent. The punt and run systems that English managers love are awful to watch.

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Posted by RandySavage

Member since May 2012

30825 posts

Posted on 8/8/14 at 6:46 am to crazy4lsu

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And the quality varies from year to year. Some years the league is unwatchable. Last year the lower half of the table was extremely poor.

I was talking more about once you get past the first couple of teams. The bottom half of every table is extremely poor.

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An extremely recent development

Is it though? In the mid 00s England were dominating Europe.

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They won't catch up in terms of money, but it will allow them to at least offer competitive salaries to keep their players.

When do you think the fruits of this will begin to show? The two best teams that aren't traditional powers or funded by oil money (Atletico and Dortmund) have been pillaged over the last couple of years. These are teams that were close to winning champions league finals the last two years with hugely respected managers and large rabid fanbases and still can't get anyone to want to stay with them.

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While true, there is a higher standard of standard of play on the continent. The punt and run systems that English managers love are awful to watch.

You know I'm unconcerned with style and much more into the substance and results but that's really just a personal thing with little relevance to this discussion.

Are continental teams more skilled? Probably. But that doesn't always win matches or provide entertainment. Barcelona of a couple years back and Bayern are extremely skilled but are virtually unwatchable.

Also, before anyone says it I know Chelsea is largely unwatchable at times as well if you're not a Chelsea fan.

This post was edited on 8/8/14 at 6:48 am

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Posted by cigsmcgee