Need an Essex Play-Off Fix?

[AndyT]

I'm guessing it's to do with ground suitability, but I see Hampton & Richmond qualified for the play-offs, despite two sides finishing above them who didn't qualify!

 

[Agent Lomas]

Because they finished higher in the league.

That shouldn't matter. They should still be played at neutral grounds, regardless of final league position

 

[manor15]

That shouldn't matter. They should still be played at neutral grounds, regardless of final league position

Not really, it's an interesting approach to reward the highest team in the league and ensures that there's a good attendance.

Given that only the champions go up automatically and some teams can be excluded from the play-offs due to stadium issues (as was the case with a few clubs this season), there can be huge points differences between the two teams over the course of a season.

Have to remember that these are teams whose attendances in many cases don't get above 500 and rarely above 20 for an away day, if it's a long trek to a neutral ground it could be an embarrassing attendance and less money for both clubs.

Then, where would you play it? Never enough for Wembley, most EFL clubs are already hiring out their pitches or doing work on them by the time their season finishes, so just a random other team in the division? Would lead to all kinds of rows over who wants to play it where often with no guarantee that that side would end up in the play off final anyway.

 

[kaymac]

Good summary, m15. The Vanarama League in their wisdom had initially proposed the play-off final be played at a neutral venue - MK Dons of all damn places(!!) - which received negative feedback from clubs. Hence commonsense prevailed and the venue confirmed as being at the higher-placed of the qualifying finalists as in past seasons. Much more convenient for both clubs and their supporters and far less travelling.

 

[Ricey]

It's 0-0 at half time with Ebbsfleet going down to 10 men just before the whistle.

 

[Shrimper]

Playing at the highest ranked team makes sense in the North/South as mentioned. Even if you had a ground like Charlton's that would still be far too big. Go Chelmsford!

 

[Ricey]

Chelmsford have gone 1 up! Come on Chelmsford!!

 

[Ricey]

****! Ebbsfleet have equalised 1-1

 

[Skyblue]

is there a live commentary on anywhere?

 

[Ricey]

Like buses! Ebbsfleet 2-1 up and Chelmsford doing a bottle job.

 

[Ricey]

is there a live commentary on anywhere?

I'm just following it on their Twitter account.

 

[Skyblue]

Yes me too, unbelievable, Chelmsford like the blues blowing it at the last hurdle..

 

[Ricey]

Yes me too, unbelievable, Chelmsford like the blues blowing it at the last hurdle..

It is unfair that it's being played at Ebbsfleet though, just a normal home game for them.

 

[Floval Flyer]

is there a live commentary on anywhere?

On BBC Essex live

 

[Floval Flyer]

It is unfair that it's being played at Ebbsfleet though, just a normal home game for them.

i think they always play at the team who finished highest

 

[Shrimper]

Losing 2-1 to a team with 10 men. Not good.

 

[Ricey]

i think they always play at the team who finished highest

That's a ridiculous rule!

 

[Floval Flyer]

That's a ridiculous rule!

Ebbsleet wasting time - cheating Kents

 

[Floval Flyer]

That's a ridiculous rule!

Halifax home to Chorley in the North Final by virtue of finishing higher too

 

[Ricey]

5 minutes added on, come on chelmsford!