So, a 14 team SPL. Interesting idea, how would it work? The plans revealed mean the split would stay, so obviously it would be two groups of seven with one team sitting out each week. Don't be stupid. After each team has played each other twice, the SPL will split into a league of six and one of eight, with each team playing each other twice once again. The clever ones amongst you will have noticed that this leads to the teams in the bottom playing more games.
Even better, the team that finishes top of the bottom six could still end up in Europe. The SPL reckons that by next season there will be five European places to fight for, four going to the first four teams, with fifth place then playing top of the bottom group. Confused? You will be. ANd if someone can point out the incentive of making the top six only to be bottom I'd greatly appreciate it.
At least one bit is semi sensible, with the number of possible promotion places being doubled to a whole two. The first division champions would replace the bottom side, with second bottom of the SPL facing second top of the SFL like the old days in another play off. Still silly, but did you expect anything else.
How does this affect Saints? At present only three clubs in the entire SFL meet the SPL criteria; only St. Johnstone, Partick Thistle and third division Queens Park have both 6,000 seats and undersoil heating. Others, such as Saints, Airdrie United and Clyde have the seats, whilst Falkirk will soon have the seats and have the undersoil heating. If the SPL want this in place for the end of the season (and with talk of five European places for next season it's possible), this could mean St. Johnstone ending up being promoted despite being in mid table. Madness, though no doubt the actual rules for expanding the league will be sorted out for the start of 2005-06 so that teams know what they have to do.
It's another waste of time, apparently to cut out meaningless games, despite the fact most bottom eight games would be meaningless. Apparently there has been positive feedback. Bollocks, though it is the Self Preservation Society.
Here's a radical idea. Create an 18 team top league, no split, everyone plays each other twice, with a minimum of two proper promotion places, possibly three. Keep the requirements, but give teams the summer to upgrade their grounds. That's what the fans want, but we mean nothing so it will never happen.
Story source: The Daily Record