Quote Originally Posted by Letters To Santa View Post
Well yes, but the goalposts have shifted. 10 years ago we had the double whammy of the stadium move restricting our spending and Chelsea and City spunking money like it was going out of fashion.
In that era it was hard for us to compete with them. Now our circumstances have changed. We've paid off a lot of the stadium debt, we have new sponsorship deals in place and maybe FFP will have some effect. And the new TV deals mean there's more money across the board, the billionaires money will be less effective and buying up every trophy now the new financial deals have somewhat levelled the playing field.

I don't think anyone could have predicted what Leicester are doing. But they are a rare exception to the general trend that money and success in football are highly correlated.



Has been for years
I thought City have only really been spending the money in the last 5 years so 10 years ago it was only Chelsea. Also 10 years ago we were the top team, everyone was playing catch up with us. FFP wont have any affect with the new TV deals meaning City and Chelsea will make a profit, in fact that is probably what is going to make the league even more competitive as the TV money far outweighs the size of stadium etc benefits.

Without a large influx of cash there is no way Chelsea or City would have won the league. But despite there spending United still won the league without having to match that spend.

I do think the fact the league is more competitive actually helps us as all teams (except Villa) can take points of all other teams. We are capable of dropping points against anyone regardless but not with other teams doing it... means no one team can run away with the league.

I do think we have a great chance this season and it would be disappointing if it doesn't go down to the wire this season with or even without any new signings.