How about a play-off for the 4th Champs League spot?

[mjb1975]

I probably read F365 far too much, but an interesting idea put forward by one of their writers:

http://www.football365.com/story/0,17033,8742_2114190,00.html

Essentially, 1st and 2nd go into the group stage as they do now, with 3rd going into the 3rd qualifying round (again, as now). But then 4th-7th take part in a play-off for the fourth place.

Would keep things interesting behind the leaders and would mean more teams have more to play for right through to the end of the season.

Only thing I would say is that perhaps it would be fairer to give the 4th CL place to 4th in the Prem if they have, say, a 10 point advantage over 5th.

Or something.

[camaj]

I'm for it for any seasons that Spurs finish 5th,6th or 7th. If we finish 4th, I'm against it ;) It would make things interesting, but it's a tad unfair on teams that finish 4th to be beaten by a team like Reading for example. Also it would be doubly harsh if that team was in the FA cup final and the CL/UEFA final.

I like the idea but it's got far to many downsides, the current system isn't as exciting but at least it's fair.

[soberion]

Terrible idea. Theoretically, 7th in the league could win the CL. (unlikely, but possible). Those teams already have the race for the Uefa cup.

[P Giddy]

I couldn't see the clubs agreeing to another couple of games a season either.

[AdamBrunt]

A completely nonsensical idea - just like the idea of the play-offs in the lower divisions.

So a team that has earned the right to be in the competition could potentially lose it to a team that finished 15-20 points behind them :cuckoo:

Of course, the idea has nothing to do with getting extra money (just like the Championship playoffs aren't just about the money either) ... not !!!

Also, the writer suggests the play-offs would take place in August. With the CL 3rd QR taking place mid-August then that's not going to work is it.

They cite Reading as being all for it when in reality, they have already stated that they will play their reserves if they get into the UEFA Cup.

[cheeseypuffs]

There's also plenty of debate about whether the 4th placed PL side deserves a place ahead of the champions of the likes of Estonia, Croatio, Andorra, etc. Seeing the 7th placed PL side in the CL would just add weight to that argument.
Also, the number of fixtures is constantly being cited as affecting the top players, theoretically a side could play as many fixtures as Chelsea this year or Liverpool in 2001 and then have to play these play-offs before the CL qualifiers .Now imagine that there's a European championship or World Cup sandwiched in between :nuts:

I wouldn't say I'm in favour of the play-offs anyway, but since they're now a fact of league football, I've always thought the 3rd worst team in the higher division has as much right to a play-off place as the 6th best in the lower division :shrug:

[AdamBrunt]

I've always thought the 3rd worst team in the higher division has as much right to a play-off place as the 6th best in the lower division :shrug:

Now that I like the sound of.

[pompeyfan]

Other countries have play-offs - in Holland 2nd plays 3rd to determine the last CL spot (as Holland only get 2 and IIRC last season Ajax finihed 3rd but got in ahead of 2nd placed AZ).

[pompeyfan]

I wouldn't say I'm in favour of the play-offs anyway, but since they're now a fact of league football, I've always thought the 3rd worst team in the higher division has as much right to a play-off place as the 6th best in the lower division :shrug:

For the play-offs personally I'd like to see 3 up, 3 down like it used to be, then 4th bottom enters the play-offs with 4th to 6th, then we could get 4 teams promoted/relegated and give a bit more variety to each division - repeat this all the way down to include the conference.

[AdamBrunt]

Other countries have play-offs - in Holland 2nd plays 3rd to determine the last CL spot (as Holland only get 2 and IIRC last season Ajax finihed 3rd but got in ahead of 2nd placed AZ).

And ??

[Pisces Iscariot]

Ideally you don't want injuries, suspensions, dodgy decisions etc. to be the principal deciding factor which it could be in these circumstances. League position over a season is a much fairer system IMO.

[home_bas]

I think the root of the problem is that there's 4 places in the first place. Much easier for the big 4 to guarantee a slot every year giving them millions more than the lower teams, wheras it's much less likely to finish top 2 every year.

I've nothing in principle against play-offs - its the fault of the tournament itself that it accepts non-champions as participants, may as well call it the euro-league and be done with it.

As for the playoffs in lower leagues - as happens year upon year, it makes the Championship MUCH more exciting and gives all the teams something to play for. With 2 weeks to go, there was something like all the teams down to 10th with something to play for.

The team coming 3rd may not like it - but they know the rules when they start and would just as gladly have taken 6th at the start of the season.

[Nujol]

But then 4th-7th take part in a play-off for the fourth place.

Would keep things interesting behind the leaders and would mean more teams have more to play for right through to the end of the season.

Errr it makes no difference - usually down to 7th place gets the UEFA cup anyway so those positions still have something to play for.

[mjb1975]

Well, yeah, but I was kinda meaning Liverpool and Arsenal (in this seasons case) - ie: playing the 'best' teams to try for 3rd, rather than settling for 4th.