Loving this on the Walsall forum

"Personally think there should be a handicap system.

For example, for every 3 points a team has over their opponent in the semi, they should have a 1 goal lead. For example, we were 10 points ahead of Barnsley, so should have had a 3-0 handicap.

It sounds petty to say this kind of stuff, but it does really hurt to have come so close to promotion, only to be denied it by a team that had 10 less points, kind of makes a mockery of the system."

 

They have a point.

But it's the system.

 

Also loads of comments about how we are abusing the loans system and being used as a premier league b team.

 

If you don't finish top 2 then you failed to get automatic promotion. So you have a second stab with the play offs. Everyone knows the rules. I think the play offs are just fine as they are thanks.

 

Fairer I guess is 3rd place straight into final.
6th play 5th straight knock out, 5th place at home.
Winner plays 4th place, straight knock out, 4th place at home.
Winner plays 3rd place a Wembley.

But it's fewer tv games for Sky.

 

They do have a point...but 3rd really should go up as of right...however how many fans really think we should do away with a system that gives so many teams something to play for on the last day...plus 2 cracking semi finals and a day out at Wembley?....plus the extra income generated.

 

that would have the perceived disadvantage for the 3rd placed team that, by the time of the final, they won't have played for weeks.

 

Dear Walsall. For finishing 3rd you got the benefit of not only an 'easier' game against those who finished 6th but also you got to play the second leg at home giving you a significant advantage. It isn't our fault that you ****ed it up despite some of your players best attempts at cheating.

 

No sympathy for that argument I'm afraid. Just like I don't like the Champions' League places going down to fourth I don't like the idea of rewarding third. If you do deserve to go up you'll be able to turn up when it counts and win the playoff tie.

 

4th v 7th
5th v 6th

one game only higher league team at home

Winners play each other in a 2 legged semi final and then play 3rd in the final.

Rewards the team finishing 3rd, keeps it alive for the rest.

 

Just leave it as it is, it works fine....Everyone knows the rules at the start of the season......The playoffs revitalised football, they keep the second half of the season alive fro everyone as we found out this season.

 

Sour Grapes?

 

So when we beat them again on Thursday, we can go on there and tell them they'd still have lost with their 3-0 handicap lead.

 

Yeah but what if the 4th place team lose to the 7th place despite having finished 10 points clear.... And on and on it goes.

The playoffs keep the season alive.

The best team from those 4 will go up. Which should be Walsall if they were so close to automatics.

For what it's worth the tie isn't over yet. So they may still go through.

 

This

 

Tough tit if they lose! You can't please everyone The current system is fine but if the authorities wanted to reward 3rd (I wouldn't) that would work

If anyone wanted to genuinely reward 3rd just promote them

 

To be fair to the Walsall lot...that's just one prat...just a couple of other daft comments saying stuff like that we're a long ball team...or suggesting we've fetched in hordes of top class loanees. ..apparently their 2000 out sung our 14000...'you could only hear us on Sky'.
Overall their comments were reasonable and realistic although I thought the obvious disappointment was leading to a few being over harsh on some of their lads.

 

Most certainly .

Bet that wasn't their view last season or any other season before they finished third.

 

My ex girlfriend was from Walsall.

She didn't like football much so my inordinate and disproportionate sense of satisfaction is rudderless as she probably doesn't give a tinkers cuss.