Sir, What kind of competition is there where it is possible for a team to be eliminated from the League Cup in October, the FA Cup in January, and be mathematically incapable of winning the Premiership with just under half its fixtures remaining? There is a sub-Premiership title (finishing fourth!), but, generally, such a team will play out its remaining fixtures with promises of preparation and rebuilding for next season or will be dragged into the inevitably negative achievement mindset of avoiding relegation.
Roland Watson (Comment, Feb 4) is quite right. Though the NFL is not perfect, a competition based on eight divisions within two conferences means more teams have a realistic, and mathematical, chance of winning. This would be far more interesting, surely, than what passes for “competition” presently in the Premiership.
DR MICHAEL SHEARD
School of Social Sciences and Law
University of Teesside