Goal difference or play off?

[Paul]

Avram Grant has suggested that, in future, the title should be decided by a play off if two clubs are on the same number of points as each other. In terms of the integrity of a competition, I don't think his point has any merit: the two sides have had to play exactly the same fixtures as each other over a season and the season should be judged entirely on what happens within it. Therefore, if one team has a better goal difference than another, they've had a better season and should be champions. However, the drama of a play off where the stakes are so high would be fucking ace (unless it involved us, of course). So which would you prefer to see?

[havarantagain]

With you on this one, their are enough opportunities to score over a season so why should the team with the fewer goals ratio have a second chance to win the title.
However, what a game it would be to have such a play off, say at Wembly. The whole world would tune in making it the biggest game of the season bar none.

[Moo]

A two-legged play off for me.

I'm not keen on goal difference, it's just a tradition, as it doesn't necessarily make a better or more exciting team (see Arsenal 89 ).

I'll let the team with the better goal difference choose if they want to play home or away first though.

[Rashid]

Attacking football should be rewarded so it should be done on goals scored .

I agree actually, GF is better than a play off.

[Moo]

You might be right there R, especially since we're up there with the highest scoring teams - could stand us in good stead for the future.
Good suggestion.

[Jay Glover]

Wheres the option for head to head results?

[Rex Banner]

a play off game would be awesome, there's nothing better than watching a finals game in sport however what would goal difference count for then? Would the play off only count if the top 2 were tied? What if 4th and 5th were tied would they play off for the champions league spot?

[bigal]

A league is about 38 games and your consistency over a whole season. To have a play off is about hype, television and not rewarding the best team over that season. If a team wins the league by 6 points and is then beaten in the play offs are they not the best team that year?
This is just the product of a fairly close year, those are the exception. Short termism, the chavs, new money and Sky hype.

[Thants]

A play off. That would rule.

[cochcaer]

A play-off would just be a Wembley wankathon for Sky (Super Duper Sunday), we all know that league position is by points and GD.

[RedKnight]

Fuckin' Chelsea trying to make up rules as they go along. It's only because they can't play attacking football like the Mancs that they're so far behind on goal difference. Them's the rules and they can just get on with it.

[RSM]

Head to head results are a better way of deciding it. Especially with teams like Sheff United resting all their "1st team players" when they go to play United at old Toilet.

[Section_31]

Goal difference, because it encourages teams to score goals throughout the season.

Deciding a title on one game is a joke, anyone can win on the day and a league should be won because of how you've played throughout the season, not won because the other goalie woke up that day with a bad arse.

[Liam]

Originally Posted by Moo

A two-legged play off for me.

I'm not keen on goal difference, it's just a tradition, as it doesn't necessarily make a better or more exciting team (see Arsenal 89 ).

I'll let the team with the better goal difference choose if they want to play home or away first though.

I'd have it at a Wembley. Make it an end of season spectacle, 90,000 fans in one stadium to see where the title goes. It has the potential to over shadow the FA Cup though I suppose.

[njackets]

I voted 4 goal diffrence,no doubt Grant would'nt b moaning if they were ahead on GD! Say they did have a play off and 1 of the teams was missing 3 key players with injury,it would'nt b fair,aint read through the post,dunno if thats been mentioned allready.

[George Costanza]

Originally Posted by Liam

I'd have it at a Wembley. Make it an end of season spectacle, 90,000 fans in one stadium to see where the title goes. It has the potential to over shadow the FA Cup though I suppose.

Wouldn't take much if the last final was anything to go by.

Goal difference for me.

I'd also be interested to see how a trial would go with the idea of bonus points introduced like they have in Rugby Super 14's. (Bonus point for 4 try's or more and Bonus point for losing by less than 7 points)

[Paul]

Originally Posted by George Costanza

Wouldn't take much if the last final was anything to go by.

Goal difference for me.

I'd also be interested to see how a trial would go with the idea of bonus points introduced like they have in Rugby Super 14's. (Bonus point for 4 try's or more and Bonus point for losing by less than 7 points)

I suspect that would kill off the defender's art over the course of a few years. It would certainly change tactics dramatically and also distort the transfer market even further with regard to inflated fees for goal scorers.

[kop]

A one, all deciding, play off match would favour the most in-form team at the moment, while the goal difference would favour the team with the highes level of performance over a high number of games. For me it's goal difference based on that. If something else than goal difference should even be concidered, the 2 games between the teams during the regular season should be the deciding factor.

[Newport]

Originally Posted by RSM

Head to head results are a better way of deciding it. Especially with teams like Sheff United resting all their "1st team players" when they go to play United at old Toilet.

Agreed. That is the best way to find out who is the best team in total. After that it should be goal difference.