Play-Off Restructuring

[dedwardp]

Apparently clubs will be voting at the AGM on a restructuring of the play-offs for the National League and North/South divisions, with six teams being involved.

4th v 7th and 5th v 6th play a qualifying game, with the winners playing 2nd and 3rd in the semi-finals. All games to be played over a single leg, with the highest placed team at home including in the eventual final.

Thoughts?

 

[Benfcht]

What a load of shit

 

[ForzaCounty]

Can they introduce it retroactively, please

 

[CrazyImp]

Not that we're in this division anymore, but no to the single game option. 7th place could end up winning promotion with only three out of the ordinary performances. Keep the semis over two legs at least.

 

[SolStone]

In my opinion the play-off system itself doesn't need changing it just needs to be 3 up and 3 down from League 2. Also think the National League final needs to be played at a big neutral ground so theres more atmosphere and its not being played in a deserted empty football stadium.

 

[GTFCfish]

So is this new format all agreed already or is this just a proposal?

 

[genesimmons]

In my opinion the play-off system itself doesn't need changing it just needs to be 3 up and 3 down from League 2. Also think the National League final needs to be played at a big neutral ground so theres more atmosphere and its not being played in a deserted empty football stadium.

Exactly this. And that's how the conference seems to be a bottle neck and it's kind of easier for teams to get out of league 2. The parachute payments have been vastly increased so should be 3 up 3 down. As for play off final Wembley far too big and must cost a bomb to host there. Why not mk Dons ground, villa park or even a premier league/championship sized neutral ground

 

[Jemfy]

The parachute payments have been vastly increased so should be 3 up 3 down.

While I agree with your overall point that it should be 3 up 3 down, I don't get the logic here that increased parachute payments changes the game at all? It should still be 3 up 3 down if they got enough to run their teams for a decade, or if they got nothing.

As for play off final Wembley far too big and must cost a bomb to host there. Why not mk Dons ground, villa park or even a premier league/championship sized neutral ground

Wembley has the prestige and the occasion behind it. The cost should be covered somehow elsewhere in order to allow it to be the case with reasonable ticket prices. I'm all for shunting the cost of it on to the Premier League/Football League, but they will always question why they should pay for it. Frankly the moaning of some Football League clubs about money not filtering down from above has been a bit hypocritical, if money were to flow it could solve some of these issues.

Also as for the other stadia you have suggested - it was hosted at grounds like that when Wembley was being rebuilt. I seem to recall Leicester being used. I would suggest that reasonable approaches as to the costs and locations etc should be taken in to account if the money cannot be found to help deal with the final from somewhere else. (Reasonable does not include giving MK Dons any money, that has never come under the definition of reasonable).

So is this new format all agreed already or is this just a proposal?

There's another thread discussing this currently, but basically it is to be presented formally at the AGM and voted on, like all rule changes are.

 

[GEORGE]

Two up automatically -- Keep play off format and Wembley must be retained Everyone at least should have the chance to see their team play at this great stadium.

 

[Tranmerewhite]

Can't see any club other than us voting against it.

 

[Mark kavanagh]

Its the same structure super league used it was stupid saints played hull one year despite beating them 3 times in the reg season and finishing about 16 points ahead of them.... we thumped them in the play off too.... waste of everyones time and money