Regarding the second point, the reason certain teams enter cup competitions at later stages is to prevent fixture congestion. But I've already reduced the number of fixtures by only putting in 18 teams in each league. So four fewer league games basically. I'd say put all 36 Premier League teams in at the same time (Round 2 of EFL Cup, Round 3 of FA Cup). Regarding Europa League qualification; After cups have been decided, the remaining Europa places should go to the team(s) with the highest points accumulation, irregardless of which league they are in. So if the team in 3rd position in League B, finishes with more points than the 3rd place team in League A, then 3-B qualifies. If there are two places available, both 3rd place teams qualify. If three teams, then highest points accumulation in 4th position. This might sound complicated, and a lot of people would complain that 'such and such a League was easier this season etc', but I think that is actually part of the fun.
Fair enough, as has been said you have clearly thought this through quite a lot and it's keeping me busy for the last part of my night... so with that in mind, more questions now If the Prem became effectively 36 teams then how would you split the other 56 as it's not an ideal number to split into 3. Could have 18, 18 and 20 I suppose? I think it'd be better personally though if you brought 10 sides up from non-league and have 3 tiers of 22 (or 8 and leagues of 20). Would you go down to 2 teams being relegated or up to 4? If the former (which I think you suggested) then are you proposing ridding the play offs for the Championship or keeping them and having only the Champions go up automatically. The other option is having the two second bottom sides of each league play off for right to stay in PL, though I'm personally not comfortable with the idea of relegation play-offs, would be exciting though. My biggest issue though is still undoubtedly the whole 'grand final' thing, way too American for me and I disagree that people would still see winning their league as a major achievement. They would at first for sure but as the years passed it would become all about the grand final with winning the league just seen as 'qualifying' for it rather than an achievement in itself. Perhaps could take the top two from each and make a 4 team league with playing each other twice? Same issue for me personally though. That aside though, I really like it.
Yeah I haven't got down to the other divisions, but what you suggest seems good; leagues of 22/20. For relegation, in the OP I said four teams, and also suggested there could be a relegation play-off. Horrible, but very entertaining!! The 'grand final' would take getting used to I suppose. But I like the way it provides an end-goal. And let's face it, that game would be bigger than the Champions League final in a lot of countries (especially England), and would do a world of good for marketing the Premier League as a brand. I think it would re-introduce the 'magic' showpiece ending to a season that sadly FA Cup finals no longer provide. And if the losing finalist doesn't still take some pride from being their own league's champion, well, it doesn't remove anything from the current format. There's no glory in 2nd place currently anyway. And at least they'd get a trophy. Basically the main benefits are; - More teams in the Premier League - Fewer fixtures - More games for TV - Excitement of League Draw each summer - Playing different teams each season - More 'competition' among the teams at the top - Glamorous showpiece final rather than usual damp squib end-of-season
I'm just finishing work fella so I'll respond to this properly either when I get home or when I wake up later on depending on if I go straight to sleep or not
[QUOTE="Black, post: 11822875, member: 1017776" Think about Saints in '83. Our best ever season, but still just 'runners up'. I think 'League A/B Champions' would offer more glory.[/QUOTE] ‘84
I like it Black. How about you change the title of the “Finale” to “The Community Shield” Have it at the end of the season instead of the start of the begining of the next.
I'm with you. That way we can get rid off the current - entirely pointless - Community Shield. Yeah, sounds good to me. Might need a slightly jazzier name to it though. Just though of another benefit; - England managers would have 36 squads to select players from, rather than 20 (Would Sessegnon have been ignored if he was Premier League? etc).
I have an idea for a change. We should make the league cup the British Cup and invite all teams from the UK's main leagues. That would be fun.
I know I've shared this idea before, but I would look to make the League Cup a Cup for all league teams that aren't in Europe that season. Winners qualify for Europa League next season For me this does two things: 1) Lessens fixture congestion for those in Europe already - theoretically gives our English representatives a better chance in the competitions 2) A lot of other teams will take the League Cup far more seriously - a realistic chance of a trophy AND route into Europe. Creates interest for a lot more fans who otherwise wouldn't have been
This is a quality idea. Right now, the League Cup is just a watered down version of the FA Cup. Having the competition involve all of the professional/top levels in the UK would be a lot of fun, and it would be a financial boon for the NI and Welsh leagues in particular.
I'd love that. Imagine an away trip to Inverness or Aberdeen, would be class. Wouldn't be so keen on the idea of 3/4000 Celtic or Rangers fans coming to Soton though...
I have submittee my British Cup idea to the FA. Will let you know how many millions they pay me for my genius!
Sounds slightly like the NFL. Teams are in divisions of 4 teams and so play each of their division rivals home and away, then they play once each of the teams in another division in their conference (NFC or AFC). Then one game against one team in each of the two remaining conferences. Then one match against each of the teams in one of the conferences in the opposite conference. So while the Vikings play the Bears every year, other teams in their conference (the NFC) they'll play occasionally and teams in the AFC, they'll play rarely. Like we went about 4 years between playing the Steelers iirc who are in the AFC.
Something that has not been achieved in all the years since the competition started, so that thought is a red herring.
Well in that case, lets just pack up & piss off home, yeah? Some madness creeps in here close season. (side note, Swansea won it a few short years ago, and err, we got to a final after that......and were a little robbed on the day) The hope kills, but also keeps us alive.
