Manchester City H Build up Sun 13th 13.37 Sky Sports 1

[captainfog]

It feels like the league has got weaker. If the top teams got worse but not by as much as the **** teams then that would account for the point increases.

You can't be keeping a straight face whilst saying Arsenal and Spurs have improved?

[captainfog]

The bottom of half of the table is utter turd, so many completely hopeless sides.

[G]

Completely accurate - all info gleaned from here:

http://www.statto.com/football/stats...012-2013/table

It's been levelled at us by United fans that the only reason we are doing well is because it's a weak league this season. You've just proved it's the opposite which also nicely proves that in actual fact the only reason united won it last season is because it was a weak league! I shall inform those Mancs I know of this next time I hear that lame excuse

[Shaggy]

It feels like the league has got weaker. If the top teams got worse but not by as much as the **** teams then that would account for the point increases.

You can't be keeping a straight face whilst saying Arsenal and Spurs have improved?

Arsenal have - of course they have. Don't be influenced by recency bias - they have been top for huge chunks of the season (more than any other team) and they have more points than last season. Sure they've collapsed as usual but they have up to this point been stronger.

Spurs about the same but again they have accrued more points.

A case can be argued that the bottom half has got weaker, but the top half is clearly stronger.

[dom9]

It feels like the league has got weaker. If the top teams got worse but not by as much as the **** teams then that would account for the point increases.

You can't be keeping a straight face whilst saying Arsenal and Spurs have improved?

I agree.

If you cast your mind back to the first half of the season, all the top teams were dropping points all over the place too. There was a handful of points separating the top 8 or something.

It's only us, Chelsea and City that have remotely managed to shake that off.

[Shaggy]

It's been levelled at us by United fans that the only reason we are doing well is because it's a weak league this season. You've just proved it's the opposite which also nicely proves that in actual fact the only reason united won it last season is because it was a weak league! I shall inform those Mancs I know of this next time I hear that lame excuse

The league was obviously weaker last season - it was a one horse race for the title. This year it's been a 4 horse race, now it's 3.

At the corresponding stage last season, United were 13 points clear of 2nd place and 20 (TWENTY) points ahead of 3rd place.



Imagine trying to claim it was stronger last season.

[captainfog]

Arsenal have - of course they have. Don't be influenced by recency bias - they have been top for huge chunks of the season (more than any other team) and they have more points than last season. Sure they've collapsed as usual but they have up to this point been stronger.

Spurs about the same but again they have accrued more points.

A case can be argued that the bottom half has got weaker, but the top half is clearly stronger.

I've thought Arsenal have been getting progressively worse for years. I'm amazed every time they make top 4. Spurs are awful too.

Chelsea have spent a lot of money but that doesn't guarantee improvement - see Spurs. Chelsea just aren't as clinical as they once were. They look and feel a worse team than they were 5 years ago.

Tactics Tim Sherpoo has the highest win % of any spurs manager. If that doesn't suggest a weaker league then I don't know what does!

More I think about it the more I think the absolute woefulness of the bottom half is boosting everyone's points tallies.

[captainfog]

It doesn't take away from our achievements this season which are nothing short of magnificent.

[Shaggy]

I've thought Arsenal have been getting progressively worse for years. I'm amazed every time they make top 4. Spurs are awful too.

Chelsea have spent a lot of money but that doesn't guarantee improvement - see Spurs. Chelsea just aren't as clinical as they once were. They look and feel a worse team than they were 5 years ago.

Tactics Tim Sherpoo has the highest win % of any spurs manager. If that doesn't suggest a weaker league then I don't know what does!

More I think about it the more I think the absolute woefulness of the bottom half is boosting everyone's points tallies.

Sure the bottom half is crap - but whatever way you look at it the strength of the top teams...i.e. our direct rivals, those around us (and Man City - this started as 'Man City haven't got any better' when they obviously have by any measurement) have improved. More points, more goals, better performance in the Champions League, squads improved by large spends etc. By whatever yardstick you choose to use, Liverpool, City, Chelsea, Everton and Arsenal have improved. Spurs about the same, though their points total is better this season. United have regressed. I'm at least backing this point of view up, whereas all I can see on the other side of the argument is "well despite the facts I reckon it's got worse, just cos I think it has".

[captainfog]

Sure the bottom half is crap - but whatever way you look at it the strength of the top teams...i.e. our direct rivals, those around us (and Man City - this started as 'Man City haven't got any better' when they obviously have by any measurement) have improved. More points, more goals, better performance in the Champions League, squads improved by large spends etc. By whatever yardstick you choose to use, Liverpool, City, Chelsea, Everton and Arsenal have improved. Spurs about the same, though their points total is better this season. United have regressed. I'm at least backing this point of view up, whereas all I can see on the other side of the argument is "well despite the facts I reckon it's got worse, just cos I think it has".

You're such a wum

I've given a perfectly reasonable explanation as to why your yardstick is misleading. One which you agree with - the bottom half is significantly weaker.

[Shaggy]

You're such a wum

I've given a perfectly reasonable explanation as to why your yardstick is misleading. One which you agree with - the bottom half is significantly weaker.

But that's rubbish though. I just said the bottom half is crap and it can be argued it's weaker (I don't agree ) but it was crap last season as well. It's not by any stretch "significantly weaker". More 'recency bias' I'm afraid man.

Bottom 7 now:

14. Palace 34
15. Swansea 33
16. West Brom 32
17. Norwich 32
18. Fulham 27
19. Cardiff 26
20. Sunderland 25

Last season at the same stage:

14. Norwich 35
15. Sunderland 34
16. Stoke 34
17. Villa 34
18. Wigan 31
19. QPR 24
20. Reading 24

[captainfog]

I think that is significantly weaker. Plus I think the bottom half are crap not just the bottom quarter.

Anyway I can't be bothered talking about it any more. Neither of us are going to change our mind, so what's the point!

[G]

Plus you're wrong so yeah, give it up

[Shaggy]

How is it significantly weaker?

Most teams in the bottom 7 have 1 point fewer than last season. By any rational definition, a one point difference is not "significantly weaker" LOL.

Also that wasn't the bottom quarter - it's the bottom half minus three teams. The other three teams:

This season:

11. West Ham 37 points
12. Hull 36
13. Villa 34

Last season:

11. West Ham 39 points
12. Southampton 38
13. Newcastle 36

They're each 2 points worse off this season. A negligible difference. The differentials at the top end are far greater.

The 10th placed team had 40 points this season and have 40 points this.

[Muddled]

I think the middle teams are significantly weaker this year.