Not many people know this but it was an ex-chairman of ours (Brentford FC) called Martin Lange that brought the Play-off idea to the FL. He was based mainly in Florida and saw how it worked in US sports and suggested it should be implemented here for the very reasons above. Ironically we are one of the worst play-off competitors. I think only Sheff Utd top our losing record.
Just leaves Barnsley tonight to see if they can qualify too. Although, being 3-1 down and heading away to Millwall could be difficult.
Virtually isn't really good enough, should have been in with a chance by the last game of the season at least.
Pfft. Guess who had a squint at bet in play, and thought 5/1 on Bradford to win the first half was worth a go, and it went through less than 1 minute before Millwall scored. Should I lump on Sheff Wed to give City more chance of winning?
Guess who decided not to chase the cash and ignored the 4/1 bet in play that flashed up after the goal for it to be a half time draw. Piece of piss this betting lark, just ask me for tips, and do the opposite.
I would consider anything to get away from the current, artificially created hype and injustice of the playoffs and back to what a league competition is meant to be. The playoffs are just a commercially driven product to satisfy the commercially created demands for spoonfed, instant, easy gratification. There may be a place for it but it's a shame that they had to **** with the integrity and the challenge of the league to do it. **** the prem off into europe and bring back Divs 1, 2, 3 & 4 (North & South if necessary) 2 up - 2 down. Oh yes... and bring back timeless test matches.
Don't hold your breath OT ........ the modern world and the Facebook generation demands ''instant and easy gratification''. It's gone mate, never to return ....... it's good to have a right good whinge about it though!
If I held it too long it may be my last. I may be only an old fart bemoaning change, but we are still entitled to an opinion ffs. I aren't so daft as to think this headlong rush into banality and superficiality can be stopped.
I don't have a problem with the play-offs per se and agree they add excitement to the end of the season. I just think the system that's been devised should be improved.
I agree with your posts, although I would prefer that third get automatic promotion, but accept that professional footballers are considered to have no sporting integrity and can't be selected to fight because they just should. I have a good memory, I recall the pre-play-off days and I have never liked the introduction of play-offs - having said so at appropriate times - and I doubt I ever will. Having had to defend our third spot, I now accept the right to challenge another team's, so the joke goes on. Yours or Walters format is an improvement on the current one and should be considered, as the current one does need revision, as it is unfair and ridiculous that third has no advantage over a 6th place 15 points below. The answer could be share the money in football better and create the incentives it seems are needed to keep trying - for instance, provide a financial prize that would replace gate money and give teams a FA, League or Johnsons Cup bye. (Just a random thought, really, but it needs thinking beyond the league, as too much competition is paid lip-service.)
The incentives idea is one I could see happening, as in the Europa league where Sevilla qualify for the CL having won the final. That said, even winning finals and a trophy thse days is only seen as a qualification for something else.. Premier League survival is bigger than winning a domestic cup, so is Champions league qualification, even winning the play-off final at Wembley gives you more coverage than actually winning the Championship (as Burnley have done) The worst was a 'financial expert' who put forward the idea that it would be financially better off if Leicester finished 2nd to avoid the huge bonuses that they have to pay their players and coach!!
