Grant proposes play-off decider

[Marty]

Very surprised nobody's picked up on this yet.

http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11668_3545648,00.html

Chelsea manager Avram Grant feels that the Premier League title should be decided with a play-off, rather than on goal difference.

The Blues head into the final day of the season level on points with leaders Manchester United, who boast a superior goal difference.

United's advantage means Grant's side must better its rivals' result at Wigan Athletic on Sunday if they are to lift the League crown.

The Israeli, however, is of the belief that England should adopt Italy's system where any title, relegation or European qualifying issues are decided by a play-off match if team finish level on points.

Style


Grant said: "We've won games 6-0, 6-1, 4-0 and 3-0 this season. When you miss so many players, the first target is to win games, especially in the beginning.

"I must admit that United have played very good football. They think this is the best season since Sir Alex Ferguson came.

"But I prefer the system in Italy. You play a play-off if you're level and it is decided on that.

"I have interest now to say that. But I like it anyway. Sometimes, you score more goals against weaker teams. If you have the same points, you are at the same level.

Change


"You can't push a button and change things immediately. We've won many games playing attractive football. We can change it with the players we have here.

"Alex said a few months ago it was the best Manchester United side since he's been coaching. We've given a battle.

"If they take the title, and I'm not sure they will, it will be on goal difference."

Goal difference must stay!

Football should be about scoring as many goals as possible, not about laying low and defending for 70 minutes and counter-attacking a winner ten minutes from time.

If two teams are on level points, the team with better goal difference, especially when it is as clear as it is this year, has almost certainly played the better football. So goal difference ensures that football wins.

 

[Kendall]

Goal difference has to stay. If United win the league then it's a two fingered salute to defensive 1-0 winning sides.

 

[dontcallme]

Goal difference has to stay. If United win the league then it's a two fingered salute to defensive 1-0 winning sides.

I agree i hope both Utd and Chelsea win tomorrow so Utd win the title on goal difference. It'd be good to see a team win on the strength of playing more attacking football.

 

[Yid-ol]

I heard thsi earlyer as well and thought the same, goal diffrence must stay and play off deciders are a crap idea! after all they are complaining there are too many games as there is! i really hope United win tomorow and then chlease can go out knowing they cant win (am i right in thinking United kick off earlyer?) would be like a slap in the face playing knowing they have lost it

 

[chinaman]

Years ago, goal average was used, and it benefited defensive teams like Leeds under Don Revie who was famous for his 0-0 away and 1-0 home tactics. So goal difference was adopted to encourage teams to score. Then 3 points for a win was used to try to promote attacking play away from home; but we still have billion pound Chelscum staying in their shell most of the time.

Don't want them to win the league just by a fluky goal.

 

[Marty]

All games kick off at 3pm. Last day of the season is always at the same time for all teams.

 

[Bobishism]

I think he's right. A playoff would be awesome.

 

[Yid-ol]

All games kick off at 3pm. Last day of the season is always at the same time for all teams.

i must have been half asleep this morning when i seen the advert for it, was sure it said something about 1.45 or 1 aclock for something to start

 

[Flatters]

I wonder if Grant would be saying this Chelsea had the far greater goal difference. :think:

It would be funny if the FA let Chelsea have a play-off decider after Chelsea winning 20-0 tomorrow with Man Utd only winning 1-0 (putting Chelsea top), and then Man Utd won the play-off decider.

 

[PT]

The analogy of the third placed Championship team having to go through the play-offs with an equal chance as the sixth placed team basically shoots the theory down.

The play-offs were designed to prolong interest in the league matches until the last regular day of the season. If the third placed team went up on merit, which is fair whichever way it's viewed at, then using that analogy, the top team in each division should be Champions of that league.

 

[Marty]

I really dislike England's play-off system, even though it does mean that Wycombe, my hometown team, have a chance of promotion through it.

In Norway it's third bottom in top division against third top in division under, two legs. That's how it should be in England too.

 

[Dougal]

Chelsea and Man Utd have both had 37 games each to work up their goal difference. The rules haven't changed, they've had their chance to increase it during the season.

 

[CaptainCat]

Chelsea and Man Utd have both had 37 games each to work up their goal difference. The rules haven't changed, they've had their chance to increase it during the season.

But Chelsea have had injuries!

 

[Dougal]

But Chelsea have had injuries!

We didn't they buy another 30 players in January to cover them?

 

[Reece]

nope , it shouldn't happen. Team who has better goal diff should win defo

 

[fieryjack]

I think he's right. A playoff would be awesome.

Why? Do you support chelsea?
Grant would say that, being about 30 goals behind. Sort of thing wenger would agree to. They`ve had 38 games to sorrt out a champion, we don`t need another.

 

[timfrancis]

In Norway it's third bottom in top division against third top in division under, two legs. That's how it should be in England too.

This was how the play offs were here for the first couple of seasons I think.

 

[Marty]

I know, they shouldn't have changed it. It's a much fairer system.

 

[Bonjour]

Would he be saying this were the roles reversed?

Methinks not.

 

[davros]

If Chelsea were up to 3 or 4 goals behind United then they would be in with a chance of catching their goal difference. They've shown that they can score 6 in a game. Then maybe Grant's opinion could be taken more seriously, even if it's not a good idea.
As it is they are way behind. Everyone knows about the goal difference rule, and everyone knows why it's there. If a team get their points by thrashing the pants off weaker sides, they deserve to be top more that the team that beat those same sides by the odd goal. That is a logical way of working out the better side over the course of the season. Far more logical than adding an extra game.

I do like the idea of promotion/relegation for the 3rd top/3rd bottom sides being decided by a play off (maybe 2 legs, maybe a big Wembley day out where all these games are played in a day or over a weekend).