Celtic apparently in secret talks to join League 1. They'd win League 1 surely and do quite well in the Championship. Not sure how that would work...some English team will lose out and extra travelling costs for a lot of southern teams.
Celtic apparently in secret talks to join League 1. They'd win League 1 surely and do quite well in the Championship. Not sure how that would work...some English team will lose out and extra travelling costs for a lot of southern teams.
big_apple_jack:2484690 said:Hi saintlyhero,
"Have Swansea found it easier to play a passing game in the prem as opposed to the championship?"
That's a tough question. We have always found it easier to play teams who try and play a similar style to us, so, in that respect, as there are more teams in the Prem who try and play our way, yes, it has allowed us more time on the ball than we had in the championship, hence the improved passing statistics that we have seen this season. But, of course, the quality of the individual player in the Prem is superior (though only marginally in the majority of cases) so we have lost a number of games that we have otherwise dominated due to wonder goals (Sunderland away) or being physically oppressed by skillful/dirty "big" men (Stoke away). These losses would have almost certainly been draws last year so on that basis I cannot say that it is easier to win playing the passing game in the Prem but there is definitely a greater opportunity to try and do so.
I am truly hoping that all video recordings of our recent loss at home to Norwich have been deleted as that was a faultless blueprint on how to stop our passing game and dominate. There is definitely an upper tier snobbery among the bigger clubs. They probably do not even realise that it exists but I believe that the over-inflated pay packets, and pseudo-celebrity status, have created an attitude of complacency that diminishes their work rate and erodes their idea of "team". Man City were the perfect example. If they were as drilled in the passing game as we were, we would have stood no hope, but their complacency and reliance on individual brilliance allowed us to pass them off the pitch at times. Therefore, and I apologise for not being more educated on Southampton's style of play, if you play with real patience, true passing technique and team spirit, you will undoubtedly upset a few of the "big boys" and probably survive comfortably.
Football is about percentages. By keeping possession and passing the ball, you are attempting to remove the element of luck and increase your percentage of the game as a whole. Playing hoofball, on the other hand, like half the teams in the Prem, is about relying on luck to help you out; sometimes it will and sometimes it won't but if you don't have possession of the football, the luck should inevitably turn against you over 90 minutes. This notion should instill all you Saints fans with plenty of confidence for next year. Enjoy your promotion.![]()

Hi saintlyhero,
"Have Swansea found it easier to play a passing game in the prem as opposed to the championship?"
That's a tough question. We have always found it easier to play teams who try and play a similar style to us, so, in that respect, as there are more teams in the Prem who try and play our way, yes, it has allowed us more time on the ball than we had in the championship, hence the improved passing statistics that we have seen this season. But, of course, the quality of the individual player in the Prem is superior (though only marginally in the majority of cases) so we have lost a number of games that we have otherwise dominated due to wonder goals (Sunderland away) or being physically oppressed by skillful/dirty "big" men (Stoke away). These losses would have almost certainly been draws last year so on that basis I cannot say that it is easier to win playing the passing game in the Prem but there is definitely a greater opportunity to try and do so.
I am truly hoping that all video recordings of our recent loss at home to Norwich have been deleted as that was a faultless blueprint on how to stop our passing game and dominate. There is definitely an upper tier snobbery among the bigger clubs. They probably do not even realise that it exists but I believe that the over-inflated pay packets, and pseudo-celebrity status, have created an attitude of complacency that diminishes their work rate and erodes their idea of "team". Man City were the perfect example. If they were as drilled in the passing game as we were, we would have stood no hope, but their complacency and reliance on individual brilliance allowed us to pass them off the pitch at times. Therefore, and I apologise for not being more educated on Southampton's style of play, if you play with real patience, true passing technique and team spirit, you will undoubtedly upset a few of the "big boys" and probably survive comfortably.
Football is about percentages. By keeping possession and passing the ball, you are attempting to remove the element of luck and increase your percentage of the game as a whole. Playing hoofball, on the other hand, like half the teams in the Prem, is about relying on luck to help you out; sometimes it will and sometimes it won't but if you don't have possession of the football, the luck should inevitably turn against you over 90 minutes. This notion should instill all you Saints fans with plenty of confidence for next year. Enjoy your promotion.![]()
Hi guys, interested (and perpetually happy) Swans fan in peace.
There was an interview with ex-football league chairman, Keith Harris, on Talksport about a month ago in which he revealed that, in his tenure as chairman, both Celtic and Rangers had agreed in principle to join the Championship (division one as it was then), and the idea had been cautiously accepted by the Championship teams as well. Apparently the deal was only scuppered at the last minute due to the details being leaked to the press. The interesting part was that he revealed the deal would have included a clause that would have stopped both Scottish clubs being allowed promotion to the Premier league for their first two seasons in the Championship, thereby removing the problem of existing Championship sides feeling hard done by through the new boys inclusion. Bearing in mind Rangers current debacle, it would not be surprising to me if Celtic opted to join the English league system, and because there has been a fanning out of quality and club stature throughout the leagues in the years since this fore-mentioned deal, League One would probably be the correct starting place for them.
Yes, the travelling costs for away fans from both Celtic and opposition teams would be high, but their inclusion would also bring an increase in gate revenue and TV coverage, both of which can only be good for the football league. I shall continue to watch this situation with interest.
I look forward to our games against you next season. STID.