Is The Premier League Tougher Than It Used To Be?

[boonthegoon]

Bottom half teams are so strong. Usually 5-6 teams will be playing for nothing at this point. Now only Villa is like that.

Also 1-2 relegation contenders will be around 15-16 points and mostly looking at relegation but none of that this season

 

[dka1]

O my lawd this thread has been dragged up again

I think what we can all agree on is if we win it this season we've done it against a City that will end up with above 86 points, possibly pushing for 90 which is a good feat.

 

[Sanchez11]

Neither and both, tbh.

The league is just strong, as it has always been... certain teams just get better/worse.

I agree, reading other forums with their excuses is funny. Their clubs have fvcked up nothing more.

 

[blaze_of_glory]

If you look at the number of points required to win it these days with City always in the mix, hard to say it's not tougher. Not to mention how much money the smaller clubs have as well to get in some quality players.

 

[VancouverCanuck]

Another angle is the other teams (City, Utd, Lpool, etc) had been fortunate that we had been underperforming for the last several years. Thus making them looked better.

 

[drippin]

Another angle is the other teams (City, Utd, Lpool, etc) had been fortunate that we had been underperforming for the last several years. Thus making them looked better.

And why are they underperforming? Tougher opponents all across the league have nothing to do with it?

 

[squallman]

What have the points totals been like over the years?

I'm sure United won the league with fewer points in the 90s than the average league winner does.

Are we judging this by the median points? If the league is harder then surely all of the tops should be close to each other points wise.

Are we judging this by the games themselves? If we are most should be cagey affairs and no team should be getting battered?

Is it based on top teams losing to poor teams? This has always happened.

The quality of the teams? On paper or how they perform on the pitch?

I don't think the league is harder. IF it was we wouldn't have had two teams rack up 90+ points total over the past few years.

 

[BergMan]

Yes it is, back then people ate junk food and drank beer before games. Now every club is up to date with the latest methods, nutrition etc.

 

[Dennis_Bergkamp_10]

In the past you could win titles with less then 80 points. Now you need to have close to 90 to be in contention.

To win the PL is harder now.

 

[drippin]

What have the points totals been like over the years?

I'm sure United won the league with fewer points in the 90s than the average league winner does.

Are we judging this by the median points? If the league is harder then surely all of the tops should be close to each other points wise.

I'm not sure how to judge it based on any kind of point totals? The overall point amount stay the same. It's very difficult to judge it based on this.

If there are two super teams like City and Liverpool who manage to achieve record amounts of points, it suggests the league is harder.

But on the other hand you would assume that the league would have much more even points totals overall in the league, because overall the teams are more even. Something like now having last 8 teams in the span of 5 points fighting against relegation could suggest this.

But I wouldn't use points totals to judge this, but common sense about smaller teams having much more money, and the player pool overall in the world getting bigger and better.

 

[drippin]

Eric seven Hag:

"The Premier League was never that difficult as now; there are so many competitors. It is not a two-horse race; it is a five, six, seven-horse race. For what we want, there are six or seven clubs more [who want the same]. We are capable of doing it but we are aware within the club that we still have steps to go."

Erik ten Hag: Arsenal always have almost full squad available, but Man Utd have only once this season

Erik ten Hag has confirmed Alejandro Garnacho will be out for weeks with an injury, while Antony and Anthony Martial have not travelled with the squad for their Europa League game with Betis; Ten Hag: I see Arsenal, they almost have all the time a squad that is totally available.

www.skysports.com

 

[Riou]

ETH... "The League is not a two horse race"

Literally a two horse race this season

 

[drippin]

ETH... "The League is not a two horse race"

Literally a two horse race this season

I think he is talking about overall, when the seasons starts.

 

[Riou]

I think he is talking about overall, when the seasons starts.

Then he plays the first game and all 11 of his starting players are injured/suspended from them on, ffs...poor bloke, he just can't catch any breaks

 

[Tnegs]

It’s definitely harder to win. 20 years ago we only needed to finish above Utd to win while today there are City, Chelsea, Pool and Utd who start the season expecting to challenge for the title while Newcastle and Sp**s expect top 4.

 

[boxerumble]

Wouldn’t the uptick in foreign players also add to the uptick in competition and diversified skill level? Surely there are more foreign players now vs let’s say the early 2000s. Seems like that may also be a contributing factor

 

[Riou]

Our 2004 squad would get well over 100 points in this day and age, the way most teams play now and the real lack of top defenders in the Prem means Henry would be putting up Haaland numbers with ease.

Only thing that would stop us would be the refs, who are always a formidable for to be fair.

 

[Oxeki]

One thing I do know is that this team is better than the 12/13 united team that ran away with the title.

 

[Bagels]

O my lawd this thread has been dragged up again

I think what we can all agree on is if we win it this season we've done it against a City that will end up with above 86 points, possibly pushing for 90 which is a good feat.

Tbf I think winning the league is always a “good feat” regardless!

 

[A_G]

Wow