Football

Have you just realised this or did the league table not state it clearly enough for the last 3 seasons? 10th place has been closer than automatic qualification for the CL.

LFC have got the 5th largest salary bill in the PL and have consistently under performed and my best guess is that this season will be pretty much make or break for FSG. Over the course of the last 3 season LFC have been the biggest underachievers and Everton have been the biggest overachievers in the top half of the table (salary vs. points ratio).

http://www.financialfairplay.co.uk/latest-news/wage-and-the-premier-league-scaled-table

I think it's going to be an interesting season if only for the fact that Spurs will be much stronger this year and the gap between the top 3 and the rest is ever growing but the rest of the lot have all gotten a lot stronger.

Norwich, Southampton, Swansea, WBA, Villa and Sunderland have all made good signings.

We've been slashing at those numbers drastically since that table was produced (with the likes of downing and Reina earning top dollar yet not producing) plus it's pointless blaming the current regime for the errors of the past (both their own, hicks&gillet and Dalglish). IMO there is now and only now, clear daylight between the THFC and LFC. But I'm not overly worried. Their activities this window have been in the making for years at Tottenham through buying young/talented players and selling. It simmered with the Modric sale but really exploded with the soon to be confirmed sale of Bale thus allowing them to smash it.
Unless you're the plaything of an oil rich owner then it's clearly the model to follow. Given what BR walked into: that documentary & owners burnt from wasting so much money etc I think he's done a top good job steering things the right way and making decent signings (Toure £0, Coutinho £8M). The only issue I have is pretending to be in for top ballers like Willian when despite agreeing terms with the player, failing to make an offer to the club (same with Mkhitaryan). Spurs simply walked in, asked what they wanted, paid and strolled off. Question is which is more damaging appearing not to be in the running at all? or pretending to be in and looking like like we were gazumped? I guess given all the bedwetting in the stands it keeps fans off their back. In time we'll be back. They just need to know whom they plan to spend the Suarez money on next.