Tuesday, August 12, 2003

IT'S FOOTIE TIME! PART 2

This time it's teams called United ... and Rovers.

Newcastle United
The Big Question: How old is Bobby Robson?
The Big Answer: Not old enough to remember the Toon's last league championship (1927).
Movers and Shakers: Lee Bowyer is the only major signing to an already top notch squad.
In depth analysis (i.e. a load of opinionated bollocks): Does that settled feeling in the team mean something? Before Chelski, Newcastle were many people's favourites to smash the Arse/Man duopoly. Now? Still strong contenders, but may have been eclipsed in star quality.
Route 1, Push and Run or Just dumb?: Passion, man. Just keep the players away from nightclubs.
Good enough for the Champions League? Too good to be relegated? Or just plain no good?: Europe this season - but I don't fancy their chances much. A sound bet for Champions League action in 2004/05 - as proper champions?

Blackburn Rovers
The Big Question: Can Amoruso handle the Premiership?
The Big Answer: Old Trafford is not Pittordrie.
Movers and Shakers: The hole created by the departure of Duff and Dunn is to be filled by Amoruso, Emerton, Millwall's Steve Reid and a bloke with lots of funny letters. Or is that hole unfillable?
In depth analysis (i.e. a load of opinionated bollocks): With Souness on the touchline you better give 100%. The UEFA Cup's a diversion again. Cole and Yorke must score on the pitch.
Route 1, Push and Run or Just dumb?: Not the prettiest sight.
Good enough for the Champions League? Too good to be relegated? Or just plain no good?: Top Six a push.

Leeds United
The Big Question: Spare change, Mister?
The Big Answer: Sorry, mate.
Movers and Shakers: The Bank Manager. Last one out turn off the lights.
In depth analysis (i.e. a load of opinionated bollocks): Peter Reid, captain of the good ship Titanic, is the latest mug at Elland Road. Okay, he "escaped" relegation last year. There may be enough left in the tank to survive, but a tough ride ahead. Thanks Ridsdale.
Route 1, Push and Run or Just dumb?: Not quite the feared early 70s sides of Bremner and Big Jack, but some of the lads can play. Oh sorry, they just got sold.
Good enough for the Champions League? Too good to be relegated? Or just plain no good?: Let's just say I'm not betting on anything to do with Leeds.

Manchester United
The Big Question: Will Ferguson have another dressing room tantrum?
The Big Answer: Is David Beckham divine?
Movers and Shakers: Stop Press: The other Ronaldo and Kleberson in. Veron dispatched and you can hear the relief in Salford.
In depth analysis (i.e. a load of opinionated bollocks): The other big question is whether Keane is still the player to make things happen. On Sunday's evidence, he's still got the appetite. Otherwise, Howard looks a safer bet in goal, and there's quality at every position (and then there's the Neville brothers).
Route 1, Push and Run or Just dumb?: Still the Rolls Royce of the Premiership.
Good enough for the Champions League? Too good to be relegated? Or just plain no good?: I'm just not convinced this team has the legs to win the Champions League and go the distance in the League. The latter looks a good bet assuming the other Ronaldo and Kleberson mesh.

In Part 1 I mentioned that the game is still in a parlous financial shape. Sure, there's plenty of money been splashed on the transfer market and on salaries (Arsenal just inking Pires and Viera for long term deals). I take the view that the players should take the money and run. If clubs are stupid enough to pay over the odds for mediocre talent, then that's their problem. Well, in the long run it's the game's problem. As clubs run up ridiculous debts, they threaten their own existence.

I was thinking earlier today that clubs just follow economic principles. In the marketplace a company will move to capture market share by just about any means. Football clubs, or most sports teams, do that by paying large salaries. This helps their prospects, but also takes away the services of a particular player from other clubs. The flip side is collusion. Until the early 60s clubs in England had a maximum wage - £8 per week, £6 in the close season. The courts ruled that the maximum wage was restraint of trade. More on collusion later.

What's gone wrong in recent years is the lure of the Champions League. The money from TV is vast. Much more than has ever been available. But, because of the money so too have the demands on clubs to qualify and stay in the competition. It will cost a big club like Arsenal or Man Utd $50million or so in lost revenue by an early exit. To cope, squads or rosters have become bigger and payrolls ballooned as teams across Europe spend the TV money - sometimes money they don't have.

One way of tackling this issue is through a salary cap as used in some American sports and Rugby League. This is a form of collusion by clubs to keep salaries down. I think a salary cap might not pass muster under EC competition law because it is a restraint of trade in that it limits earning potential by collective action.

A better solution is a simple roster limit, again an American idea. The size of some Premiership squads is staggering - up to 30 or 35 full-time professionals. This is unsustainable for all but the richest. I think this is one reason why the Premiership has become a three tiered league - the filthy rich, those struggling for mid table respectability, and those who will bounce between the Premiership and the lower divisions. Sure, there's been the odd exception. But, look at Everton and Spurs. They used to be big clubs, but are now fighting for scraps of UEFA Cup places.

:: Posted by pete @ 21:17