I reckon you're spot on Dwaino regarding the standard being around league 1 except for the top end teams which could probably handle themselves in the championship. I don't think the skill gap is much, if at all tbh, more so a conditioning gap which comes from longer seasons and more games.
Got to do something about the referees, atm they are part time, either make them full time with the extra $$$ that will come to the game via the next TV rights deal or just increase their part time hrs bc the standard is not keeping up. Until then maybe Bozza is right, bring in better refs from Asia. Cant recall a worse collective refereeing performance - and last season was the worst prior to this season haha