...thankfully don't concern us now because we're up. However what if we were in Wednesday's position, a few points from automatic promotion and then get beaten to that promotion by a team 17 points (and counting) behind us. Is it a fair system?
I was against it when first introduced for the reason you give. But I have come to see that it brings a lot more excitement to the season. There are at least three, and usually more, teams whose season goes to the wire (or almost) which otherwise would have been dead a month or more earlier. And the play-off matches themselves bring extra income into the league and have generally been very exciting for neutrals, usually better than your average F A Cup Final, League Cup Final, or Watching Paint Dry Final. No, it isn't fair. But life isn't fair and football reflects life. At least it is the same for all teams before the season kicks off and they all know what they have to do. After all, in the old days only two teams were promoted (and in the old Div III North and South only one from each section), so you could take the view that the third place is a "free bonus" anyway. I could be spiteful and say that I would take especial pleasure in seeing Wednesday lose out to (say) Carlisle, but that would be beneath me, so I won't.
It may not be fair but as far as I know no club wants to change it. Probably because nobody anticipates finishing 3rd until it happens.
Why was the old system of play-offs abandoned when teams from different divisions played each other? Was it something to do with the introduction of the Prem?
The playoffs were initially brought in when they were reducing the size of the top division from 22 to 20 over 2 seasons, so rather than having a straight 4 down 3 up, or 3 down 2 up, they had the playoffs involving 1 team from the higher division. I presume when the division sizes were no longer changing, they went to the current system as the playoffs proved popular/profitable.
I can't see past either Sheffield side for the play-offs. But if I could choose, I would plump for Notts Co. I love a good weekend away in Nottingham.
Well, Ponders, never really stayed in Cumbria before (i suppose its always bypassed because of the Lake District and/or Scorland), but a more beuatiful place you could not wish to go to - highly,hihgly recommended.I'll be going back thats for sure.
Indeed, Stu. Cumbria is a beautiful place. I have rambled and explored away many an hour there. Besides, I make a yearly pilgrimage to Edward Longshanks' monument at Aballava (Burgh by Sands). I stay at the same little B&B each year and always enjoy the same homemade steak and kidney pie. Yum! Good on you for making the long trip. I had planned to go, but just don't feel up to much lately.
Fascinating, i had to Wiki Edward Longshanks and Aballava to find out what/where etc. I mentioned to Tewkes in another thread that i wanted to see Hadrians Wall when up there this weekend, and went to Birdoswald, however, if i had known about Longshanks befroe, then that might have been a better option (i was underwhelmed by Birdoswald TBH). I am intending to go to the Preston game, and am also intending to stay over, primarily to see the Wallace monument in Stirling for family reasons, but might look to take a look at Aballava too.
The wall runs through Aballava and you get some of the most stunning views there. Again, the people are so nice and you will be warmly welcomed. If you fancy an intimate little B&B with superb grub I can forward you on a phone number. As a passionate follower of Longshanks, I have tracked his movements for many years: Stirling, Dunbar, Berwick, Conwy, Flint and in to Europe and beyond. He and Alfred are by the greatest of all English Kings - although I do love many more of them! There is a fine William Wallace monument near to Melrose Abbey. It is about a quarter of a mile through the forest and stands at about 50 feet. Plus, a trip to the abbey will see you at the resting place of the Bruce's heart. Fantastic for history lovers. Then a short drive to Selkirk and you can visit the Kirk of the Forest - the site where Wallace and Moray received the Guardianship of Scotland. In the same sanctuary you can find the memorials to the early relatives of President Roosevelt. I could go on all night...
