But there are only 12 teams in the SPL. When you say St. Mirren, Livingston, Falkirk and Hamilton, that's a third of the league. If the other teams between those four and the Old Firm clubs are better than the good MLS teams, it isn't by much, IMO.
You'd be surprised by just how much the talent dispora is in the upper crust of the teams outside of the ones mentioned. And its the team's themselves and not just individual players because their are some prospects on teams like Hamilton and Livingston for example. Once Dundee return the quality of the league will go up as well with the resources DFC have.
Well, the majority of the Scottish National team is made up of guys playing in the Championship and guys on lower-end EPL teams, with a spattering of SPL guys thrown into the mix. The fact that the national side doesn't feature more domestically-based players would seem to indicate some of the league's shortcomings to me. The team in fourth place is thirty points behind the league leaders. That wouldn't seem to indicate depth of quality. Anyway, I wasn't really trying to bash the SPL, just pointing out that Bradley is a starter in a league where he is consistently facing much better teams than Edu, who is not a starter for his club at this time, though he probably isn't far from being one.
I watch a fair share of SPL, granted most of it is Rangers vs. whoever. But the only teams I can say for sure are better than the best of the MLS are Rangers, Celtic, Hibs, and Dundee United. They're a level(s) above. Motherwell and Hearts, if in the MLS would be right there with the Galaxy and the Crew.
I'd say possibly the Galaxy but again alot of MLS is League 1 (England) tactics that in some cases stunt a players growth or developement. I disagree with Hearts and Motherwell being below the Galaxy though in the simple fact that the depth in quality is more throughout the side rather than a few studs in key positions but nothing besides that. I do want to say however that I don't want to slag off MLS; I am a big fan and hopefully will get my Vancouver Whitecaps blog up and running shortly but I still think that besides the very worst sides in UEFA Coefficent leagues 10-19; MLS's best team is not above them. And thats not even because of the talent but the tactics coaches here use which are more coach built rather than squad/system built tactics you find in Europe with certain teams.
I wasn't suggesting that Hearts and Motherwell would be below the Galaxy, I just said that they would compete for best in the MLS with the Galaxy. I agree completely on the depth comparison.
Right now, Bradley is the better and more proven player. But I really like Edu and it would not surprise me if he has a higher ceiling than Bradley. I very much hope he stays healthy, and I'd like to see him move away from Rangers and the SPL after a couple more seasons.
What's a higher ceiling than starting in the BL? I'm not saying that Edu can't do as well,but that'd be damn good by itself. I don't expect to see either of them in a CL quarter-final.
Not to slight Mike or MBG, but it would be nice for one of the top teams in the BL say "he is the type of player we need" and purchase him. Its like playing CM for Hull City or Liverpool. There is a difference between the top and the bottom of each league.
cleensheetbsc gave a good reply. Playing for #12 Gladbach is not as accomplished as playing for Leverkusen, Dortmund or Stuttgart and competing for Europa League. Playing for Bayern, Schalke, or Bremen and competing for Champions League spots is another notch higher. There are still multiple levels above Bradley's good level at Gladbach. I'm not predicting that Edu will someday exceed Bradley's level. All I'm saying is that Edu has some qualities that might allow him a higher ceiling than Bradley. I think Edu is a bit more agile and quicker, a smoother athlete than Bradley. That might, or might not, be enough to give him a higher ceiling. It wouldn't surprise me, but it's far from certain. Personally, I'd like to see Edu and Bradley both playing for Champions League teams someday. It is possible, even if not probable.
LOL. Valid point. Big fish in the SPL small pond has some benefits. Let me rephrase my wish: Personally, I'd like to see Edu and Bradley both playing for Champions League teams from a top-4 league someday. It is possible, even if not probable.
Spot on. Our best CM pairing MIGHT be a better defensive minded mid than Mike (Edu, Clark) Paired with a more offensive minded mid (Holden, Torres, Benny). I would agree that Bradley is the most well rounded CM, but that is not necessarily the best choice. Whatever, I read this story while taking a crap, then I wiped with it.
Again I'll say it. Champions League>Top 4-League>Europa League>UEFA Leagues 5-10>Liga Segunda/Championship/Serie B/Bundesliga 2>UEFA Leagues 11-16> UEFA Leagues 16-23/Mexican League>UEFA Leagues 24-28/MLS>The rest of the other UEFA Leagues/USL-1/Central American leagues. (Insert the various South American and Asian countries on your own whim if you dare)
Bumping a two year old thread because I just re-read it and found it to be interesting (not as amusing as some other MB threads but more substance)... By the way whatever happened to sidefootsitter? There are some good calls... ...and some bad ones [every comment by sidefootsitter] === I may have to bump this thread again if/when MB90 becomes captain.....
I do miss the ongoing insistence on Bradley's mediocrity. I also miss the posters who insisted that Bradley was incapable of making a smart forward pass. Or passing the ball with the outside of his foot. That was a classic.
When is his birthday. If its between now and Sept 6 I know what to bet on. If its after the 6th I also know where my money is.