they are not comparing themselves to the other team

they are comparing themselves to what the alternative for them is. In WBAs player cases they are significantly better off winning (and getting the bonus) than not winning, so they try to win (all that is required for a fair contest). The fact that Portsmouth's players would get a bigger bonus is irrelevant to WBA players since it isn't on offer to them and doesn't enter their calculation.
Otherwise you are saying that Norwich players don't try as hard as, say, Chelsea players in all matches because they get paid less. I believe this is total bollocks. Norwich players play just as hard to win because they are better off winning than losing.

Posted By: mr carra, Sep 21, 11:39:08