EFL Considering Controversial Change to Championship Play-Off Rules ...

[TheLoneRanger]

EFL Considering Controversial Change to Championship Play-Off Rules

The proposal has received support from Championship clubs.

www.sportbible.com

 

[AusinIsOurHero]

Of course it has - the Championship has been so open the last few years - anyone down to mid table could have snuck in the play offs right up until the last few games.
Loads more teams will feel they have a chance.
Personally, I'd scrap the playoffs & just have the top 3 go up.
Never sat right with me that the team in 6th who finished 20 points behind the team in 3rd could go up.

 

[JackFish]

Saw this the other day - I really hope they don't go ahead with this. The current setup does a good job of balancing the excitement of giving more teams the chance to go up while still keeping it to the best-performing teams. Having six or more teams in the playoffs would be ridiculous, someone finishing 8th hasn't done enough over the whole season to deserve a shot at going up.

Never sat right with me that the team in 6th who finished 20 points behind the team in 3rd could go up.

I also wouldn't be against a rule that says you have to finish within 10 points of the third-placed team to enter the playoffs. That way if you come 20 points behind like Bristol City did last season then the top side gets a bye to the final. If the 3rd placed team is 11 points ahead of 4th then they just get promoted automatically.

 

[Smurph]

It's an interesting debate. The new format would give clubs a lot more encourage and possibly break what seems the endless cycle of the same teams going up after being relegated from Premier League the season prior.

 

[Ringwood]

Top 4 should go up... Nice shake up for the stragglers like West Ham and Everton

 

[northernswan]

Top3 for automatic, for me
Over the years we've seen teams 10-20 points behind the 3rd placed team go up via the playoffs
The team in 3rd last season got 90 points and missed out in the playoff
Probably because they knackered themselves getting there
No, 46 games is enough
I know we got up via the plyoffs, but even so

 

[JackSomething]

I also wouldn't be against a rule that says you have to finish within 10 points of the third-placed team to enter the playoffs. That way if you come 20 points behind like Bristol City did last season then the top side gets a bye to the final. If the 3rd placed team is 11 points ahead of 4th then they just get promoted automatically.

I agree with you about the proposed change being silly and am intrigued by your suggestion here. One problem I see is if towards the end of the season the team in 5th or 6th plays the team in 4th, when they need the team in 4th to win points to close the gap on the team in 3rd and ensure they all get to be in the playoffs.

Top 4 should go up... Nice shake up for the stragglers like West Ham and Everton

That would have seen Spurs relegated last season, which would have been funny.

 

[Longlostjack]

Top 4 should go up... Nice shake up for the stragglers like West Ham and Everton

That would get Man Utd worried!

 

[JackFish]

I agree with you about the proposed change being silly and am intrigued by your suggestion here. One problem I see is if towards the end of the season the team in 5th or 6th plays the team in 4th, when they need the team in 4th to win points to close the gap on the team in 3rd and ensure they all get to be in the playoffs.

Each team has to be within the points difference. I think they have something similar in Italy, or they used to at least. So it's not Sunderland finish 9pts behind and then the teams in 5th & 6th also get in - it's just the team in 4th.

For example based on last season's playoff teams:

Sheffield United 80pts, Sunderland 75pts, Coventry 72pts, Bristol City 71pts - playoffs happen as they do now

Sheffield United 80pts, Sunderland 75pts, Coventry 72pts, Bristol City 69pts - Sunderland & Coventry play a SF, Sheffield United straight to final

Sheffield United 80pts, Sunderland 75pts, Coventry 69pts, Bristol City 69pts - Sheffield United & Sunderland final

Sheffield United 80pts, Sunderland 69pts etc. - Sheffield United promoted

 

[Pegojack]

Typical. When something is good and works well, the arseh*les in charge have to change it.
I wouldn't be surprised if Gianni Infantino (aka Arseh*le in Chief) is involved somewhere.

 

[JustJack]

This has happened in the National League for ages and is a way better model than the current one

First round is an eliminator with 8th v 5th, 6th v 7th in single ties, meaning 3rd and 4th get a bye and home advantage to the next round

2nd round (semi final) 3rd will play the lowest ranked team left at home

Coming 8th means you have to go away from home to win the whole thing, thats a huge disadvantage, likewise 3rd place has 1 home game to get to Wembley

Makes the season matter all the way to the end.

 

[Frankie Burrows Cap]

This has happened in the National League for ages and is a way better model than the current one

First round is an eliminator with 8th v 5th, 6th v 7th in single ties, meaning 3rd and 4th get a bye and home advantage to the next round

2nd round (semi final) 3rd will play the lowest ranked team left at home

Coming 8th means you have to go away from home to win the whole thing, thats a huge disadvantage, likewise 3rd place has 1 home game to get to Wembley

Makes the season matter all the way to the end.

I’m a fan of the home advantage being given to the team that finishes higher but the article says the EFL are still looking at 2 legged semi finals.

Personally, as some others have said, I think 8th is too low. If they’re going to change it I’d go the whole hog of that system with 3rd to 6th.

Round 1: 5th home to 6th
Round 2: 4th home to winner of above
Final: 3rd vs winner above (at Wembley)

That way there’s more of a reward for finishing higher in the league.

*that’s two less games for TV and less revenue for clubs so it’ll never happen mind, far more likely they expand!

 

[JustJack]

Oh I’m a fan of the home advantage being given to the team that finishes higher but the article says the EFL are still looking at 2 legged semi finals.

Personally, as some others have said, I think 8th is too low. If they’re going to change it I’d go the whole hog of that system with 3rd to 6th.

Round 1: 5th home to 6th
Round 2: 4th home to winner of above
Final: 3rd vs winner above (at Wembley)

That way there’s more of a reward for finishing higher in the league.

*that’s two less games for TV and less revenue for clubs so it’ll never happen mind, far more likely they expand!

Oh well in that case thats a stupid take on a decent idea

I only really saw the ones involving Wrexham but some of those playoff games in the national league were incredible, one tie knockout magic.

 

[Frankie Burrows Cap]

Oh well in that case thats a stupid take on a decent idea

I only really saw the ones involving Wrexham but some of those playoff games in the national league were incredible, one tie knockout magic.

Agreed. Just looking for more money by adding 2 extra games. Can see lots of clubs voting for it if it get that far though.

 

[bakajack]

At that point you may as well make it the teams from 3rd to 10th in the play offs in one off games

3rd v 10th........\ Highest placed side home advantage in semi....\
6th v 7th.........../...................................................................................................> Wembley
4th v 9th...........\ Highest placed side home advantage in semi..../
5th v 8th.........../

The advantage is with the teams that finish higher in the league with home ties in both rounds before Wembley