Ray Patterson

It would only be for one season max, as the leagues will then move into a Divisional Structure. One only has to look at how Inverkeithing Hill Swifts have taken to life in the EoS after their debut season when they struggled.

Last season, Bonnyrigg, Linlithgow and Bo'ness shared Conferences with Burntisland, Tweedmouth and Stirling Uni Reserves. No issues. Novelty factor of playing a new side(s) would probably increase crowds if anything, especially if you're winning every week.

Mate of mine asked what was happening with all this, this a fair synopsis? (I know it's snapchat message and it has awful spelling.)

Right okay. More just a guideline that they can't enforce in anyway. Like them wanting to curb the HL to 16. In two seasons you could easily have at Tier 6: WOS (16) - EOS (16) - SOS (14) - North Caley (12) and North (or amalgamated NE) Super (16), which would be 74. Well over that.

Tbf even the most positive of us were thinking that the WOSFL may struggle to get to 12 Expressions of Interests. So 48 is fantastic, the only issue is that the SFA might not be happy, as they've said 64 is the maximum number of clubs they can deal with at Tier 6. Fair to say to those that are a bit slow, the West of Scotland League is happening, and will be at Tier 6 next season, without a doubt.

If there's 48 clubs interested, would be fair to say that around 38-40 are current Junior clubs. Maybe then add two or three SoS clubs, and maybe three to five Amatuer/Youth clubs. As well as the Two Uni sides. Not all 48 will apply. As for example Rangers Colts might have expressed an interest for all we know. I reckon we will have a WOS of 42 clubs next season, with three conferences of 14. Bookmark to comeback and prove how glakeit I am

Yes I know all this. Someone mentioned there being ground requirements for the North Superleague that Inverness City struggled to meet, as someone who's been to a few North Super games I was wondering what those criteria are.

I was more meaning if it went up by 12 to 72, so an extra 24 games. If 48 games are worth £32m, then it's hardly unreasonable to think the SPFL could get £42m for 72 games. I appreciate we don't just want Hamilton vs Aberdeen, but I would love to see Hibs vs Killie, or Hearts vs Aberdeen, or possibly Ross County vs Inverness. I would have prefered if there was set kick-off times, a 6pm Saturday kick-off as muted by Dave Cormack and a 2pm Sunday Kick-off as the live TV games. With the Friday night being reserved for live Championship games.

I didn't say that, I said he's playing well so should get a call-up to a Scotland training camp so the Coaching Staff can see where he is. I reckon the LigaPro in Portugal is no different to our Championship so it's not a radical suggestion. I then went on to say, as a completely different point, we'll get to see him play on TV next season. Whilst we're at it, the other leagues on Freesports are La Liga, MLS and Serie A, so it's hardly in bad company. I don't think you quite understand English mate.

The bit you've put in bold is a good thing, no? More money for fewer games being shown; less disruption to fans with bonkers kick off times (although I'd imagine the BBC Scotland random kick off generator will still be in operation). Of course in an ideal world the TV companies wouldn't be showing all the Celtic and Rangers* away games but what does broadcasting Hamilton v Aberdeen actually achieve when it inconveniences fans of those clubs and barely anyone watches the game live on TV anyway. I appreciate this point, but it's about Brand Identity, it means the clubs have probably lost out on an extra £10m a season. It also means that the clubs are even more reliant on the fans which means we'll have to dig deeper over the next few years to compete with European Leagues. It also means that Sky will put 0 effort into marketing our game like they do for the EFL and PL down south. It'll just be filler for them. Having so few games also pretty much revokes the idea of having set kick-off times for TV games. It means that we'll miss out on some great fixtures next season. If Dundee were to come up with us and Hearts were to stay up, for example, Sky wouldn't be able to show every Edinburgh and Dundee Derby, which would be shite for the league overall. United will be on TV more this season in the league than next. We'll be on 5 times max next season, we're on live 3 times in April. At a time when leagues are providing broadcasters with more content, the SPFL (via a request from its clubs) has given Sky less. To make it worse its a Five Year Contract too. Part of me hopes that after a season of 48 games, Sky and SPFL agree a rehashed deal that raises it to 60, or even better 72 games, at something like £45m a season, that would be the ideal scenario.

Is AZ winning the Eredivisie, a similar achievement than say Hibs winning the Premiership?

Personally, I think he should receive a call-up for the Israel game, just so Clarke can see where he is and for him to train with the lads etc. Whether or not he's in the matchday squad is another matter. He'll be playing in the LigaNOS next season, which is probably a slightly better standard than our Premiership. We'll also get to see him play on the TV via Freesports as well, hopefully. I'm very happy for him that he seems to finally be enjoying his football again, the issue at Sporting was he was never given a proper run of games - he looked to have finally turned the corner at Vitoria before he got recalled due to a separate argument between the two clubs.

It's fair to say that BT's enthusiasm for Scottish football has plummeted since Sky have bought the rights exclusively for Premiership rights next season. Although what's tinpot about that is that the clubs demanded that the league have less televised games per season meaning 42/48 live games next term will include Celtic or Rangers. So Sky aren't going to give two shits. As much as Doncaster gets it rough, he's really screwed over by the imbecile, short-sighted things the clubs ask for at times.

I do apologise, hadn't realised it had improved this season.

Might be a hottake but I think Bartley is a breath of fresh air in punditry, was hilarious on AVFTT. Brings a different perspective on punditry, and isn't an ex-Celtic or Rangers player.

There's been a new guy doing some games - Stuart Mitchell I think? He's been doing the live SWPL games and some of the latter games on Sportscene.

I mean we're talking about a grade of football that makes up the fixtures with a weeks notice most of the time. Maybe livestreaming might a step too far at this point.

Oiut of Interest what is the Superleague ground requirements? I've seen them mentioned over the years but never seen any definitive criteria.

Gary Weaver as well on comms. Remember him on St Mirren vs Aberdeen earlier in the season. Brutal. They should have just taken the World Feed as Freesports do.

The MLS is in interesting league it's like watching a bottom half Scottish Premiership side or maybe even a top Championship side, with one or two "star" players. I'm pretty sure that any top six side in the Premiership would be fairly comfortable in the league. I notice that this season, because of the expansion the MLS sides don't all play each other, but play some teams twice. Some mental stuff right there, as soon as they get to 30 clubs they need to introduce Promotion/relegation.

When people and football pundits are bad for this, use the phrase arithmetically rather than mathematically. I remember Chick Young saying "It's still possible for Scotland to qualify, arithmetically" Fucking stupid word, for people who a trying to make themselves looks smart.

I mean if he doesn't put that argument up then they get accused of all being "a bunch of footballing hipsters" so either way you can't really win. I think it's fair to be devil's advocate on something like that. Again the show is called A View From the Terrace, how many people on the Terrace at a ground would say "aww see its PC gone mad weans can't even header a ball".

I think United may pick up some points here.

Can someone please come to collect yer da, he's having a head gone...

Ok Boomer.