Gartside’s proposed a two-tier Premiership, each tier containing 18 or 20 teams, with Celtic and Glasgow brought in to the second tier.  Such a system, Gartside argued, would lead to a fairer distribution of the huge bounty brought to the EPL in the form of global television revenues. It would also ease the financial burden on teams falling out of the top flight.

As expected, the EPL brass rejected the proposition as neither ‘desirable nor viable’, however it did get the support of six EPL clubs. In addition, several EPL managers (including Harry Redknapp and Martin O’Neil) voiced their ‘support’ (or, perhaps, stated that they did not oppose such ideas) in the press this week.

Has the time come to take these proposals seriously?

Glasgow and Celtic have made no secret of their desire to move beyond the SPL, with a move to the EPL or possibly a new Atlantic League still on the cards.  Both command large fan bases in the UK and worldwide, some say second only to Manchester United in the UK, and would therefore bring extra gate monies to the EPL, and extra subscriptions for TV broadcasters which would benefit many of the current smaller EPL clubs (such as Bolton).  This is clearly an aspect the Premier League, as a financial entity, cannot ignore for too much longer.

However, at the moment, the Premier League is doing very nicely indeed for itself with increasing global interest and lucrative TV deals. Consequently, there is little incentive for the majority of clubs firmly rooted in the Premiership to want to dilute their revenues.

Bringing the Old Firm in to the Premiership will upset traditionalists who see the league as a purely English concern and, broadly, kept as it was when first established in 1992.

Sentiment among fans north of the border seems to be that starting out in the lower tier of a two-tier expanded Premiership simply delays the inevitability of Celtic and Rangers being in the top half of a newly formed league.  Many Old Firm faithful make the point that with increased revenues, Glasgow and Celtic will build teams comparable to the Big Four within 5 years and be competing at the top of the Premiership. This threat to English dominance and the established big four clubs, they say, also influences decisions.

It might not be until the success of the Premier League wanes a little that we do finally see the Old Firm on board. But it remains a strong possibility for the future and one that will increase the excitement and competitiveness of the Premier League.

If it does happen, what would the new league be called?  The UK Premiership? The British Premiership?

Liverpool traveled to Craven Cottage with the hope of at least a point, potentially three but crumbled in the second half following Fulham’s second by Erik Nevland then early baths for Philipp Degen and Jamie Carragher.

Despite Fulham scoring first in the 24th minute through Bobby Zamora, Liverpool had the pick of the chances and possession in the first 45 minutes, pulling level through Fernando Torres who netted his 10th league goal in as many outings.

It was after the break that the game changed character. Fulham returned to the park looking revitalised and took the game to The Reds. After Liverpool lost their attacking edge with Torres leaving the park after 63 minutes, substitute Nevland’s 73rd minute goal led Liverpool in to a series of woes culminating in red cards in quick succession for Degen and Carragher and an effortless additional Fulham goal in the 87th minute for Clinton Dempsey.

This was Liverpool’s sixth defeat in seven games, and fifth league defeat of the season which is, frankly, far too many to remain in contention for the league title this season. Hopefully, Liverpool will put behind them these troubles as they travel to Lyon for Wednesday’s crucial Champion’s League game, albeit without Fernando Torres and Steve Gerrard.

First, Ladbrokes published quarterly losses of 58% in the three months leading up to September 2009. They attributed this to the startlingly few draws in the English Premier League this season. Everyone likes a flutter on the footy from time to time, and mostly people bet on their team to win. So, every time there is a draw (historically about 25% of games result in a draw in the EPL), the bookies win. For the 2009-10 season there have been so few draws that Ladbrokes have been taken to the cleaners by the punter (and good on the punter!) In the first 70 games this year, amazingly only 4 resulted in a draw. Teams are going all out for the win. After yesterday, 106 games in to the campaign, there have only been 19 draws (< 18%).

Second, examine, if you will, the number of red cards and bookings we are seeing. It’s close to being back in the Mark Dennis and Willie Johnston era.  As teams go all out, tempers fray and rash acts and tackles creep in to the game. This weekend 29 yellow, and 9 red cards were issued by Premier League referees.

The toll of this frenetic pace will probably show in the weaker teams earlier than in those whose financial position affords them the comfort of having star players to bring in to the team. Several red card suspensions can force selection of a weak line up for teams which lack squad depth.