Not sure on that at all, Every single year if a Spanish team is in the group stage of CL or Europa they go through and at least two teams in each competition make the semi's. Real and barca are miles ahead, OK but you can;t tell me that Malaga, Valencia, Sevilla, Athletico Madrid, for a while Villareal are/were crap teams in the competitions? How bad is the league when a player from a very average team ( Michu) comes over and is the top goal-scorer?
Fair point on Michu but you could also say that C.Ronaldo managed to bag 40+ goals in his most dominant season at Man Utd yet regularly gets more than 50 for Real. 118 goals in 292 games for Man Utd. 171 goals in 171 games for Real Madrid. Sure he was younger but still scoring at a much higher rate. Not the greatest example but you get the point
I didn't mean in terms of quality of the top teams, but the incredible difference to the teams at the bottom. They could split the league half way through just like Scotland. Incredibly poor teams (money wise and quality) at the bottom and the exact opposite at the top.
I will say this, for the most part, very very true. BUT in recent times you have seen Villareal who were in the CL, had CL level players, and were relegated. Real Soceidad almost did the same thing I think in 02-03 ( right before Alonso joined us), qualified for CL and then just missed relegation. Deportivo La Coruna, Celta Vigo boh were in the CL in recent years and both have been yo-yoing between the leagues. Real Zaragoza have had plenty of cash but seem to yo-yo as well. I am not sure how to best go about explaining this but it is strange. You also have a team that out of nowhere just becomes really decent ( Levante, Betis a few years back, Espanyol, Bilbao). A good example right now of two teams who are really not bad but are just struggling are Bilbao and Espanyol. With teh players they have they should be in much much better positions. I can only assume that the level of production of top talent still gets spread through and makes the 7 place and down become a big rumble.
Just seen that Fifa world team of the year: Iker Casillas (Real) Dani Alves (Barca) - Gerard Pique (Barca) - Sergio Ramos (Real) - Marcelo (Real) Xabi Alonso (Real) - Xavi (Barca) Cristiano Ronaldo (Real) - Lionel Messi (Barca) - Andres Iniesta (Barca) Radamel Falcao (A.Madrid)
I feel Downing could really improve their left flank, looks a bit weak. Otherwise, frightening team....and all based in the spanish league.
Still think Messi was utilised in the best way when out wide. Might score more now, but Barcelona were stronger before imo. --------------------Casillias Alves---------Pique--------Ramos--------Marcelo --------------Alonso------Xavi --------------------Iniesta -----Messi----------Falcao----------Ronaldo There, much better.
TBF, I'd have told the three to go where the **** they wanted but whatever suits you pal Bluff... that one was just for you
--------------------------------Iker Casillas (Real)------------------------------- Dani Alves (Barca) - Gerard Pique (Barca) - Sergio Ramos (Real) - Marcelo (Real) -----------------------Xabi Alonso (Real) - Charlie Adam (Stoke)---------------- ------Cristiano Ronaldo (Real) - Lionel Messi (Barca) - Stewart Downing (Liv)---- -------------------------------Robin Van Persie (Arsenal)------------------------ Thats better. The striker change is actually serious. Also the left winger.
Would seem it should be United but can see him going to City. I hear CHelsea need more midfielders.............
To be fair, we could use an AM like Sneijder and a Strong DM like Matuidi,Sissoko,M'Vila, etc. BUT we do have a lot of midfielders at the moment but think we don't have any with the specialty tag with them.
Sahin on his way? Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers will investigate the possibility of bringing Nuri Sahin's loan spell from Real Madrid to an early end in January according to the Liverpool Echo. Liverpool are able to cancel the loan during the January transfer window but only with the agreement of both Sahin and Real Madrid according to the newspap
Shame about Sahin but I trust Rodgers's judgement. This should help free up some wages and hopefully be enough to bring in some more signings.
Yeah I think Sahin is too light weight for this league to play the position he wants to play hence Henderson getting a run - and playing very well I might add!
