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**Damien** · 29-09-2015, 22:33

I don't think it's the players or the managers. There are plenty of both in the Premier League who are easily Champions League standard. Chelsea, Arsenal, United, City should all be qualifying from their respective groups on paper.

I do think we might be suffering from the overall strength of the Premier League. The German and Spanish leagues have gimme games. Games where anything other than a win for the elite would be a massive shock. This used to be the case to an extent 3/4/5 years ago in the PL but over time the 'smaller' teams have improved considerably. You get teams facing relegation with talented players who would be mid-tier players a few years ago. The mid-table and bottom of the league teams have got stronger as a result of the massive increase in money they get from the TV deals.

There are few shocks in the PL anymore. Even if Arsenal lose to West Ham (or everyone loses to West Ham) or Chelsea draw against Newcastle. We're at the stage where Arsenal winning at Leicester was a decent result. Teams have to play these games and then play CL.

I don't think that's the only reason, there might be other factors too, but it's not that the quality isn't there.

29-09-2015, 22:33	#689
Damien Remoaner Cable Forum Team Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 32,900	Re: Football Season 2015/2016 I don't think it's the players or the managers. There are plenty of both in the Premier League who are easily Champions League standard. Chelsea, Arsenal, United, City should all be qualifying from their respective groups on paper. I do think we might be suffering from the overall strength of the Premier League. The German and Spanish leagues have gimme games. Games where anything other than a win for the elite would be a massive shock. This used to be the case to an extent 3/4/5 years ago in the PL but over time the 'smaller' teams have improved considerably. You get teams facing relegation with talented players who would be mid-tier players a few years ago. The mid-table and bottom of the league teams have got stronger as a result of the massive increase in money they get from the TV deals. There are few shocks in the PL anymore. Even if Arsenal lose to West Ham (or everyone loses to West Ham) or Chelsea draw against Newcastle. We're at the stage where Arsenal winning at Leicester was a decent result. Teams have to play these games and then play CL. I don't think that's the only reason, there might be other factors too, but it's not that the quality isn't there.