A BETTER ARGUMENT FOR KEEPING RELEGATION

I was as stunned as the rest of you when I hopped on the blog this morning and read the latest post.

To put it mildly, I totally, utterly and completely disagree with my co-blogger's suggestion that doing away with the relegation and promotion system in English soccer is a good idea.

That system isn't about ensuring that each match has meaning; that's merely a byproduct of its larger purpose. It's a justice system for the sport.

The clubs that deserve to be punished are relegated and the clubs that deserve to be rewarded are promoted. Relegation might be painful to fans of the clubs that experience it, but they can't argue with their team's fate.

Newcastle United fans know this all too well. Years of overspending on players with big reputations but small backbones finally took its toll three seasons ago. Down United went into the Championship. Maybe the Premier League would have been better with Newcastle among its members in 2009-10 - although had United kept its relegation team together, the league would've been worse - but that's not the point. Bad teams are punished, and Newcastle had a bad team. Justice was served.

It was an adapt-or-die moment for Newcastle. That's the point of relegation. United sold off the dead weight from its squad, started spending sensibly, and has emerged as a healthier club. Other so-called big clubs haven't reacted appropriately - or at least not in a timely fashion - so their stay in the lower leagues has been much longer.

With the relegation and promotion system, those clubs have an incentive to change their ways. And, in the long run, that will benefit the most important people - their fans.

Comments

[Jaeger]

ah...the mind of reason. i'm pretty sure bob's regretting posting that. stirred up a hornet's nest of people for prom/rel system.

[Bob]

I don't mind a hornet's nest. From difference of opinion the truth arises. If foreign owners are indeed planning to push this on Europe, let's not just say "how dare you" - let's have it out. The worst thing supporters of promotion/relegation could do is not discuss the reasons why.

[M]

Relieved that u disagree with your co-blogger Tom and it's also good to see that many of your fellow Americans on here feel the same. It's cool that u guys 'get it'. Loving the site overall, it's great to know u lot care so much about my hometown team. Our team.

The debate is a non-starter I'm afraid - it's just a bad idea. Unless ur an owner and all you care about is protecting your asset. Sorry Bob

Now... a US-style salary cap, although almost certainly unworkable, would definitely have some merit in increasing the ability of the 'smaller' clubs to be competitive. That'd be a more interesting debate maybe

[chris]

Although we all know most footballers are indeed overpaid its one of the largest and most recognised forms of entertainment,a showbusiness of sorts...and you know what they say about showbusiness!

The underlying problem with a wage cap is that it would have to be universal, an impossibility really. Anything less would just force the more talented and therfore higher earners elsewhere, stripping the league of its top talent. I mean if all it takes is a shiek to attract the likes of Eto to the far reaches of Russia (he wasn't exactly on pennies (...or cents!) previous to his move) then what hope would the prem have of keeping almost any of the Manchester, chelsea or arsenal stars.

I hope the inlay/outlay ruling starts to move wages in the right direction but for now its a ugly but necessary evil.

[Bob]

Let the record show, for those who are now labeling Tom as the blog's voice of reason, that he's the one who thinks Peter Lovenkrands is "underrated."

[Tom]

I'll take Lovenkrands over your guy Nile Ranger any day. Useful squad player to have. Offers something different up top.

[Rob Moyer]

Well I know a good deal of NUFC supporters who would trade Lovenkrands for a bag of balls so I guess in some circles he could be underrated.

[Jaeger]

he doesnt have a terrible caps/goals ratio. granted he's not EPL starting quality but a good backup with experience.

[M]

for a 4th choice (at best) option, Loverman has a decent goalscoring record at the top level. However, his all-round game is pretty limited - for me he's a last resort. IMO, should never come on if we're defending a lead or if any of our other forwards are fit