Absolutely agree, never liked the playoffs they're just a money making racket, a season of hard work can be dismissed in a one off game, it's criminal.
It was always just two teams up from the second and third divisions for years for some reason the 4th division always had more promotion spots - no idea why Then when the playoffs were introduced it created an extra promotion place - its a+ for the sides finishing 3rd to 6th not a negative for the side in 3rd who under the old system had no second chance at promotion When the playoffs were first introduced IIRC it was sides 3-5 and the side finishing 3rd bottom of the league above. not sure why but it was decided to just relegate the 3rd bottom and give an extra side a chance of promotion - that has worked well for years now - In any case I think 3 teams up and down is enough
They were brought in simply to avoid so many meaningless games towards the end of the season, and to make the games more competitive. As Dave says, initially they included the team third bottom of the higher division too. Money making wasn’t a factor, as the play off finals weren’t even at Wembley to start with. They were two legged games. I remember listening to Charlton beating Leeds on the radio, which I think was the first final. Peter Shirtliff might even have scored. We don’t usually have seasons whereby we have teams finishing with 96 points and missing out, but they knew the rules at the start of the season. If Wednesday couldn’t pick up 3 points at Forest Green they don’t deserve to go up. But spare a thought for Notts County, who came within seconds of losing to a team that finished 30 odd points behind them. Like Merde Tete says above, I prefer the way they are done in the Conference, with single legs held at the team finishing highest. I think it would probably be fairest to hold the final at the ground of the team finishing highest too, but the FA still has whopping debts from building the new stadium, so that isn’t going to change any time soon. But it also gives clubs lower down the leagues the chance to play at Wembley. I’ve really enjoyed 2/3 of our play off finals, so I’m happy to have them at Wembley. The alternative this year would have been Hillsborough, so Wembley is much the better option! I’m busy trying to convince myself we’re going to lose, to try to ward off the disappointment if we do. I was back home and tucked up in bed within an hour so of losing to Ipswich, refusing to come back downstairs.
Couldn’t disagree more tbh. I think they’re one of the best things in the English game. Keeps the season alive for so many teams.
The play offs are incredible. One of my favourite things in football. I suppose we’ve not finished 3rd but even still I doubt it would change my view. I love the tension of it.
I think it was initially. Not sure if I imagined but think initially there was a play off between bottom teams and top teams from league below.
No we usually finish 4th or 5th - with one 6th thrown in but as others have said, had we finished above Wednesday in 3rd I wouldnt be saying its not fair We got though finishing 6th a few years ago and 5th so Im not campaigning for automatic 3rd and no playoffs
I'm telling myself this to not get too upset if we don't win on the day. They were the third best team in the league by a clear margin this season, so it's a bonus to have a shot at replacing them, albeit with a third successive victory in the tie! I disagree about a moral aspect to the playoffs though- all teams know the promotion boundaries before the season starts. And they keep the season interesting for the top 10-12ish teams for most of the season.
Im telling myself I wont be too upset if we dont win as I have a lot more away games within easy reach in L1 and we might even win some again I might even be able to cling to that if we had been against Peterborough, but the idea of losing to the Fowls means its not going to work this time
The only reason anyone can see a moral case against them is because they can remember the days when it was 3 up, 3 down. But had it always been the case that it was 2 up, 2 down and then the play offs were introduced to make a third spot available that was never there before, then the moral argument no longer exists. I wouldn't swap them. I love them. And all the points about them being good for the game because it keeps the season alive - well that's all true.
So despite people's memory of it being 3 up, 3 down, it was actually only the case for 13 years. Where as we are now 37 years into the play off system. No case to answer m'lud.
How did you feel about a team like Barnsley coming from miles behind to get in the playoffs on the final day and actually get promoted ?
I’ve just had a quick look. They were introduced in 1987 to lose 2 teams from the then 1st division. The powers that be must have recognised a money spinner when they saw one and here we are today!
The most complaints come from the Elite. 1 they cut the top division to 20 teams. 2 to counteract they created the champions league to erm increase the number of matches instead of a straight knockout. They fail to progress but join the lesser competition. 3. They go full on to complain. but Join worldwide tournaments. Pure greed cos they can get more revenue by playing More games in non events. Feckin hate em. Tbh don't hear many complaints from the lower leagues.
Just checked and was right about two leagues making up semi finals: For the first two seasons after the play-offs were inaugurated, the semi-finals were played between the three sides finishing below the automatic promotion sides and the team one place above the relegation zone in the division above