League Reconstruction

[Stupie82]

The negative of allowing all teams to receive the same payout regardless of position, is that what is there to play for. Sure winning the league or finishing as high up the table as possible is any clubs goal, but what about mid-table clubs who dont have a European place to play for or relegation to fight for. The cash incentive gives sides something to play for. It creates competition, even if it isnt purely for sporting reasons.

 

Whether we like it or not, to the clubs, the sporting side of football is lesser important than the cash. As a football fan it should be all about the football, but clubs need the cash to survive. Yes they should be able to budget within each individuals means, but even then a gap will emerge.  Would i like to see us set a precedent? of course!! would i like to see all clubs receive even TV money, sponsorship money and league money, again of course, but no club is going to vote for that and the SPFL are incapable of implementing anything of use to the leagues. In a world where money talks in football, I sadly cant see Scottish football changing its ways.

[RicoS321]

The negative of allowing all teams to receive the same payout regardless of position, is that what is there to play for. Sure winning the league or finishing as high up the table as possible is any clubs goal, but what about mid-table clubs who dont have a European place to play for or relegation to fight for. The cash incentive gives sides something to play for. It creates competition, even if it isnt purely for sporting reasons.

 

Whether we like it or not, to the clubs, the sporting side of football is lesser important than the cash. As a football fan it should be all about the football, but clubs need the cash to survive. Yes they should be able to budget within each individuals means, but even then a gap will emerge.  Would i like to see us set a precedent? of course!! would i like to see all clubs receive even TV money, sponsorship money and league money, again of course, but no club is going to vote for that and the SPFL are incapable of implementing anything of use to the leagues. In a world where money talks in football, I sadly cant see Scottish football changing its ways.

 

I don't believe there is a player in our game that gives a shite whether their team makes £100K more for finishing an extra place higher in the league. They want to win because that's what the game is about. Same as I do when I play at sports village or goals. I'm not preventing the issue of win bonuses either, which they may give a crap about because it directly affects them. The "cash for places" is only ever brought out after a team doesn't get the money. For example, the dons missed out on 250K last season by finishing third, but I can guarantee that no player in that team (nor McInnes I expect) gave a shite about the cash - they wanted to finish second.

 

Money talks, perhaps, but there is only one team that would be significantly financially affected by sharing the wealth amongst the other teams - the Tims. If we split the £20M the tims made in prize money alone the season before last (don't have recent seasons figures, but expect it'd be in the teens(£millions)) and split it evenly amongst the teams in the division along with the existing SPFL prize funds, then every other team would be better off from day one and it would instantly make the league stronger. So I'm not convinced it's a case of money talks, more a case of fear of change/risk and a happy as we are mentality. 

[tom_widdows]

They will care if their employer cares ie that extra £100k for finishing 8th instead of 9th means the club doesnt have to slash the playing squad or wage bill the following season or even allows them to actually get a win bonus once in a while

 

The prize money from the SPL is irrelevant to the likes of celtic as they make their money from sponsorship, Champions league football, and of course having a large gullible fanbase (both loyal and gloryhunting) who like to throw cash across the celtic shop tills.

 

If there is no incentive to finish as high as you can other than 'ho look as us we're better than you' this year then I hate to think how many meaningless games there would be and how much worse the quality could get.

For every player who gives his all just for the love of the game and to hell with the money there are 2 or 3 Bobo Baldes (9 years at £30k a week but only played 161 games and happily sat on the bench for 3-4 of those years doing nothing)

[Tubilay]

I don't think there's much point debating a straight share of prize money. It might be the best idea in the world, but there's no way in hell that it'd be adopted by the clubs and the people who vote on these matters. That won't matter if it's an 11/1 majority needed or a 7/5, there'll always be enough clubs who feel that making more than a straight pool share is worthwhile.

 

There are a number of issues that need remedied as a matter of urgency.

 

We need to stop bickering about how the league actually divides up, how many teams there are, the split, the playoffs, etc. The layout of the leagues. Every single year this comes up, and it's hardly to the benefit of the game. Were our glorious league leaders to take some responsibility here, then we'd be far more likely to win sponsorship and attract interest from outside Scotland. We've got the most competitive league in years, some good football, 10 different cup winners in seven years, and a national team that's slowly but surely finding their feet. When do you ever hear a story about Scottish football on UK-wide broadcast? When there's some bungle or mistake or crisis. We need to change the record there, and get people talking positively.

 

The "product" has improved markedly in the last five or six years. The governance is worse than the Highland League. To move forward with any kind of vision, that's got to change first.

[Jute]

Doncaster saying a 14 team league for next season.

 

http://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/competitions/premiership/14-team-premiership-could-be-brought-in-for-2016-17-1-3970519

 

This set up would probably finish me with Scottish Football. Looks like a safety net for the tribute act and nothing else.

[WeegieRed]

Doncaster saying a 14 team league for next season.

 

http://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/competitions/premiership/14-team-premiership-could-be-brought-in-for-2016-17-1-3970519

 

This set up would probably finish me with Scottish Football. Looks like a safety net for the tribute act and nothing else.

 

Doncaster really is not fit for purpose.

 

The Motherwell chairman got it spot on the other day when he said the SPFL have better communication with the TV companies and sponsors than they do the clubs.

 

That's all Doncaster is interested in, keeping sky, bt and ladbrokes happy. The clubs are secondary and I doubt the fans are even an after thought with him.

 

Any league set up proposed will always have four old firm games in it. It's fucking ridiculous.

 

That said, I'd probably accept the 14-team plan he proposes ONLY because it's marginally better than the current set-up, with the top 6 split routinely turning into a mess.

 

However, I've never been a fan of any split because it doesn't encourage teams to be brave and try out youngsters. People say an 18-team league means a lot of meaningless games. I say it gives some clubs an opportunity to spend 2/3 years building an exciting team that can then go and do something up at the top end, which in turn will help the national team.

 

Besides, weren't Dortmund in a relegation fight last season, and recovered to make the Europa League. Had Germany adopted a league split, they'd have been denied the chance, so don't tell me a split is essential to keeping the league interesting.

[BobbyBiscuit]

However, I've never been a fan of any split because it doesn't encourage teams to be brave and try out youngsters. People say an 18-team league means a lot of meaningless games. I say it gives some clubs an opportunity to spend 2/3 years building an exciting team that can then go and do something up at the top end, which in turn will help the national team.

 

 

I pretty much agree with the rest of your post but I think the bit above is maybe a bit pie in the sky thinking.  There would be a lot of dead rubbers from an early part in the season, so will fans go and watch all of their team's meaningless matches? Very doubtful. Clubs are as likely to rest on their laurels than they are to take the initiative - the cheaper option will be the favoured option, particularly if crowds are down.  We could end up with a lot of clubs floating in no man's land for seasons on end.

 

And the national team? It's a fair assumption that Strachan (or his replacement) would all of a sudden take an interest in the domestic league.  I would also say it is not Aberdeen FC's responsibility to produce players for Scotland, which is why we have a few non Scots in the u20s.

[manc_don]

Dons Supporters Trust have set up a survey regarding this:

 

https://donssupporterstogether.typeform.com/to/VwEezA

[tom_widdows]

League cup final apparently moving back to November next season

 

Could throw up a future pub quiz dispute for the question 'Who won the 2016 Scottish League cup?'

 

[manc_don]

League cup final apparently moving back to November next season

 

Could throw up a future pub quiz dispute for the question 'Who won the 2016 Scottish League cup?'

 

Another sign of the reactionists that run this game.  Wasn't it just yesterday that the English FA announced something similar for all cup games?

 

In this instance I do agree with the moving of the final though

[Panda]

The story landing on April Fool's day may have you questioning it, but league reconstruction is on the cards.

The Herald are reporting the plan is a 10-team league, but it's only one option being discussed. A 14-team league or even a 16-team league are also on the table.

Main driver is to reduce the number of league games due to the increase in European matches (translated: The Old Firm have more European games so want fewer league games).

A 10-team league seems pretty backwards. I don't see any realistic way a 16-team league works without there being a big cut in TV revenue (and it would be too big a drop from 38 games to 30 for many as well). An 18-team league playing each other twice isn't being considered AFAIA.

Greece have a 14-team league, splits after two rounds of fixtures into a top 6 and bottom 8, then has play-offs. Potentially you could have the team that finishes seventh (to keep the bottom 8 interesting for those not fighting relegation) enter a play-off style system along the lines of the current Scottish Championship one (seventh v fifth, winners of that play fourth for the final European spot). That would reduce the fixtures from 38 to 36 for those that want it, give the bottom eight clubs an extra home game to make up for losing some revenue by not play Aberdeen, add some 'new' teams to the fixture list, and the tv companies get to keep their coveted four Old Firm games.

 

[manc_don]

Does it need to change? I’ve seen some say online that it needs to, but I actually like the system. It works. Wouldn’t mind a 14 league setup, it’s actually what the a-league are striving towards as well, although once the top 6 breakaway, the season ends for the rest. 
 

im genuinely surprised we’re even talking about it, the cheeks need to get a grip.

[RicoS321]

55 minutes ago, Panda said:

Main driver is to reduce the number of league games

The main driver? What about increasing fairness, and the competition as a sport? Surely that should be the number one driver of all changes within the game? We're going through the worst period in Scottish football history, with no end in sight, yet no journalist or commentator will ever address the root problem.

[Jute]

This is only being done to benefit the usual two and not the rest of us. If they want to reduce fixtures for rest of top flight then ditch the league cup group games and go back to straight knockout format. Means could start league games earlier and create space later in calendar. Would not benefit either of the bigots but might others. 

[Panda]

2 hours ago, RicoS321 said:

The main driver? What about increasing fairness, and the competition as a sport?
Surely that should be the number one driver of all changes within the game?

Hey, I'm just the messenger, you're not going to blame are you?

2 hours ago, RicoS321 said:

We're going through the worst period in Scottish football history, with no end in sight, yet no journalist or commentator will ever address the root problem.

Oh, you are.

DM me your questions and I'll put them to Neil Doncaster in our weekly catch up.

1 hour ago, Jute said:

This is only being done to benefit the usual two and not the rest of us. If they want to reduce fixtures for rest of top flight then ditch the league cup group games and go back to straight knockout format. Means could start league games earlier and create space later in calendar. Would not benefit either of the bigots but might others. 

You started off saying "the rest of us", then went on to forget about the 30 or so clubs who rely on the income from the League Cup group stages.

[Jute]

13 minutes ago, Panda said:

Hey, I'm just the messenger, you're not going to blame are you?

Oh, you are.

DM me your questions and I'll put them to Neil Doncaster in our weekly catch up.

You started off saying "the rest of us", then went on to forget about the 30 or so clubs who rely on the income from the League Cup group stages.

Do they make much less cash from taking league cup back to straight knockout?

[Panda]

26 minutes ago, Jute said:

Do they make much less cash from taking league cup back to straight knockout?

Well some would have one game as opposed to four for a start, and there's TV and some sizeable gate receipt money to be had if they land a group with one of the 'big guns' - more often than not at least one of hearts, Hibs and Aberdeen are in it.