Archie Gray

[spaldy]

It probably is (arguably, anyway) the best league in the World, but there is still more than enough dross in it to throw up fixtures that I challenge anyone other then fans of the two teams involved to enjoy.

They aren't always stinkers, but I'm sure most on here could list current premier league fixtures they'd atively avoid unless the alternative involved clothes shopping or stripping wallpaper.

I probably should make more effort, but I have never had any interest in the MLS here.

There's definitely some misplaced football snobbery involved (Leeds haven't always been easy on the eye either), but it just doesn't float my boat.

Friendly internationals are rapidly boarding that particular sinking ship.

not snobbery. It's just realism.

The MLS missed the boat for any Football purist when they enshrined franchise placement. The lack of relegation permanently ensures mediocrity. The fact that there a literally a good amount of cities here that could and would support
an MLS teams but have no chance of getting a franchise means the mediocre teams in the MLS will likely continue to be that way. It's absurd how many teams they have in the "top flight".

The level of play reflects that. No urgency to improve and some franchises will never contest.

Oh, and it is a substandard level of play.

[hopelesslyoptimistic]

Agree that MLS isn’t yet at a very high standard.

Think there are a few leagues which are v good. Danger for the prem is that is increasingly becoming a league where there are leagues within leagues.

Top 3
4 to 8
Then down to about 15th
Everything below that

The historic strength was that any team on its day could beat any other but the gap is just growing too wide. Suspect a lot of the things people hate about modern football (such as clubs buying up all the young talent to stop others or paying stupidly inflated transfer fees) originate in the prom and/or Real Madrid/Barca/PSG.

There is a lot less variety as to how teams play too - part of the reason I want Brentford to do well as they use their own model and style.

It’s also becoming so expensive that the hard core fans of yester year may struggle to be able to attend.

At one level it is also becoming a playground for the super rich be that individuals or countries.