Play-off places extended to 8th
The attempted Americanization of the planet sport continues. In America’s MLS 18 teams qualify for the play-off’s and they have a best of three ‘knockout’ in the first round, so we can only look forward to that.
It was annonced today that EFL Championship clubs voted in favour of expanding the play-offs from four to six teams effective next season. I mean of course they did, it was owners casting the vote. The day before Turkey’s voted to abolish Christmas.
The English play-off’s were first brought in for the 1986/87 season, and of course we were in them, but they changed the format of having the team above the relegation place take part after just two seasons.
There is no doubt at all that the EFL play-off’s have brought added excitement, revenues, hope and jeopardy. I think you have to be quite the curmudgeon to still prefer the old three up, three down.
They have of course been pretty good to us Addicks. Games against Leeds, Ipswich, Doncaster, Wycombe, Leyton Orient and our old friendly foes Sunderland are simply some of the best days and night’s of my life.
Yet, some times if things can be so good, why change it, why? Oh yes EFL club owners were at the voting polls and they want more golden tickets inside the candy bars, improve the odds of the dream
There are already plenty of examples across the three divisions where a 6th/7th placed team finished oodles of points behind 3rd/4th, but still beat them out in the play-off’s. That will only be more emphasized between 3rd and 8th.
Last season between Sheffield United (3rd) and Millwall (8th) it was 24 points. The Blades won 10 more games than Millwall over the season. The year before it was 21 points between 3rd and 8th.
Interestingly the last time a Championship team was promoted to the Premier League after finishing outside of the top-four was in 2018-19, when 5th placed Aston Villa defeated Derby County, who finished 6th, 2-1 at Wembley.
Blackpool, in 2009-10, were the last club to win the Championship play-off final after finishing the regular season in 6th.
But, heck it adds excitement, more opportunity and pretty much means that almost every team will have something to play for as we enter the final weeks of the season. Looking at this season’s table even Norwich would fancy their chances of finishing 8th.
I see the positives, I mean it might suit our evolution (hopefully) better, it will bring more excitement and up the daydreaming levels. Equally, it probably means the lower end Premier League teams have more cannon fodder to simply be able to outspend and finish above, but at least it gives Tottenham a better chance of making next season’s play-offs!
For me there are so many things wrong with the game today that I’d rather see addressed, like instantly agreeing to three-up, three down between the National League and L2, and changes to our beautiful game hasn’t always improved the product.
With more and more clubs having financial difficulties, I don’t expect this will slow down the spending that beats record levels every year already. I also don’t understand why this rule change doesn’t apply to L1 and L2.
CAST had a vote on it, and fans voted 78% against. They did share the results with the club, but don’t know how they voted.
One thing is for sure, the TV companies are lapping it up.
As the phrase goes “If it ain’t broke…don’t fix it !!!!!”
Absolutely ridiculously idiotic idea. Imagine fighting through a whole season finally finishing third 20/25/30 points above the team in eighth. To then lose out on the most valuable promotion, probably in the world. Scandalous.
It could potentially send an ill prepared team into the Premier to get metaphorically slaughtered week after week. While leaving the third placed club, who will have invested far more money into the team, facing heavy losses.
I’m shocked the Premier league haven’t objected, this dopey new system which will dilute and weaken their cherished product.
English football is slowly being destroyed by money.
Totally agree Daggs….they don’t care about fans…just making more money and sheer greed !
Ludicrous idea…..Just more money for TV, and all the hangers on that don’t have football in their hearts.
I’ve now decided to also watch my local amatuer team (Hollands & Blair)…exciting honest football,plenty of action, very affordable entry fee,cheap refreshments,easy parking,and exceptional value……..the complete opposite to watching Charlton.
Absolutely agree Daggs couldn’t have put it better myself here’s a thought my late grandad was a true ncfc fan all of his life I can remember him saying that when Trevor francis became the first uk £1m signing that money will spoil this beautiful game of ours everybody said he was talking about load of old squit (norfolk word for nonsense how true his words are as you all probably know my son karts all over uk and the amount money needed to get anywhere in that is immense, so I think it’s just sport in general. I personally think it’s downright stupid
I have never understood the moral decision of the playoffs, its as Daggs states “absolutely ridiculous”. A team strives all season long to reach 3rd place, maybe by a single point or goal differential only to be denied promotion by a 4th, 5th or 6th position team. Playoffs do not occur at the bottom of the table, so in that respect their is injustice. The drive for promotion at the top end of the table also applies to the bottom of the table to remain in the table. Thus if the two top teams are benefit for automatic promotion and teams 3 through 6 face playoffs then why not the same rule for the 6 bottom teams. Given this present scenario then increasing the playoff teams to 8th place perpetuates this present injustice.