We all know why they exist - Money/TV/money ! We all probably love them ( unless you lose out ). but are they fair ? There is an article on the BBC Sport site, with a detailed breakdown of teams finishing in the play off positions & who go on to win - and more details relating to form in the month of April. The results are fairly well spread out. It doesn't necessarily follow that the team in form, sneaking into the play-offs, goes on to gain promotion. When this does occur it can give a sense of injustice to other sides - especially if you drop out of those places on the last day of the season. My contention is that - over the course of the entire season - if you are better than the rest of the teams (over aspects of defending as well as scoring ), you will occupy the higher places. Also in the 'semi-finals' - if you are the 3rd place team v the 6th placed club, you should, in theory, be better and win ! We would all be gutted if Gills were 3rd and lost out in the semis, or dropped out of the play-offs on the last day of the season - but that is just bad luck. The play-offs keep the season 'alive' for most of the clubs in the top half of the league. Play-offs for Relegation ! Why not ? When the play -offs were introduced, Gills were involved in the play offs where they had to overcome Sunderland - who were the lowest placed team in the league above us.( above those automatically relegated ). The scheme was dropped after that year. I believe that the same principles can prevail for play-offs for relegation as for promotion - but involving the two sides who finish just above the auto relegated teams. (unless we finish in those places next season ) <that's all very well - but where is my latest story of supermarket woe ? ( there is one )>
No they aren't fair but how else can you keep the season interesting for teams, take a look at Bradford, after their slump in form around the League Cup final they had a no chance of reaching the autos so without the playoff their season would have been over in March, which is not going to lead to a competitive league
What about my idea to reintroduce play-offs for the two sides who end up just above the automatically relegated teams ( reducing the auto relegated number to accomodate ) - it may bring in just about all the teams in the bottom half of the table. This suggestion should ensure that there are no meaningless matches at the end of a season - much better for the fans - and may lead to greater attendances at the end of a season.
How can anyone say play-offs are a bad thing? They've provided us with untold excitement, THREE appearances at Wembley and two promotions!
