National league play-offs

[The Reverend]

Glad we didn’t have to suffer through this when we came up from the conference, but as a neutral these games are incredibly entertaining.

Grimsby’s run last year was spectacular and it looks like Notts County could be onto something similar. Just scored a 97th minute equaliser when it looked like they were dead and buried.

Great fun to watch.

[RedDwarf 1881]

My son and I was just saying the same thing . We've had enough stress in our time without having to suffer this .

[banqo]

And scored a 120th minute winner!

[The Mindsweep]

They'll lose to Bromley in the final

[RedDwarf 1881]

To be honest I wouldn't be very confident about Notts Co chances in the final . They nearly choked and only got through by their fingertips

[tuffers#1]

Jammy win today , Will probably go up now

[Story of O]

Surely this is a case for 2 teams going up automatically. To get over 100 points and not go up is wrong

[The Reverend]

Surely this is a case for 2 teams going up automatically. To get over 100 points and not go up is wrong

If two teams go up automatically they would either have to

A. Scrap national league play offs entirely
B. Change it so that 3 teams get relegated from league 2

There’s no way the national league will want to scrap the play-offs which are surely the most watched games in that competition and I seriously doubt that EFL clubs will agree to increase the chance that they get relegated to non-league.

I think a more realistic option is covert the national league into EFL League 3, make it professional and part of the Football League system. Plenty of clubs in the conference are pro already and the standard is considerably higher than it used to be. Clubs like Wrexham & Notts County pulling 10k+ crowds and other clubs achieving highe attendances than many league 2 clubs. It would also mean the drop between league 2 and the conference will be nowhere near as drastic as it’ll be the same as dropping from league 1 to league 2. Bad, but not devastating.

With Premier League football becoming ever more out of touch with fans and increasingly expensive/inaccessible for those who want to attend live football, extending the football system to 5 divisions in total isn’t a terrible idea.

[Chelmsford Swimmer]

Would a turkey vote for Christmas ? However the unfairness of the system is obvious and the pressure for change will not go away. I think 3 up and 3 down is inevitable and just a question of when. Whilst clubs at the bottom of the league will fear 3 down, having 3 come up will give hope to the Hartlepool's and Rochdale's that they might get actually back, rather than fearing the National league as oblivion. As far as League 5 is concerned, absolutely no chance of that, the league teams will never allow their TV revenues to be diluted.

One thing I would like the Football League to adopt is the National League playoff system that rightly favours the higher placed teams. Personally I would scrap penalties at the end of extra time, and revert to league position to decide promotion. For that matter I would scrap extra time as well, but I expect that would be a step too far for many.

[RedDwarf 1881]

Would a turkey vote for Christmas ? However the unfairness of the system is obvious and the pressure for change will not go away. I think 3 up and 3 down is inevitable and just a question of when. Whilst clubs at the bottom of the league will fear 3 down, having 3 come up will give hope to the Hartlepool's and Rochdale's that they might get actually back, rather than fearing the National league as oblivion. As far as League 5 is concerned, absolutely no chance of that, the league teams will never allow their TV revenues to be diluted.

One thing I would like the Football League to adopt is the National League playoff system that rightly favours the higher placed teams. Personally I would scrap penalties at the end of extra time, and revert to league position to decide promotion. For that matter I would scrap extra time as well, but I expect that would be a step too far for many.

In the EFL it's over two legs and the higher placed team has the advantage of the second game being at home . However I think you're right about 3 up and 3 down being only a matter of time . Two up automatically from the national league with one coming up via the play offs . For the EFL clubs going down it would give them a better chance of coming straight back up again .

[Bergen]

Notts could have scored ten goals.

[Adz]

I hope Notts County go up. Anyone who gets over 100 points deserves promotion.

[Holybourne Identity]

I don’t think points total is particularly relevant, but for a 24 team division to only have one automatic promotion place is inequitable

[Still's Carenae]

Notts could have scored ten goals.

Just watching shows the difference between national league and league two.

[Stan1972]

Fair play to Notts County, massive favs to win play offs after disappointment of getting pipped to title by Wrexham.
2-0 down, scored to make it 2-2 in the 97min
Then win it 3-2 in last min of extra time.

[ComeOnYouOs]

At least a 'proper' league club will be promoted, whoever wins

[EastDerehamO]

I will be pleased for whichever of the two ex League clubs makes it back in, but I so hope it’ll be County, for would seem really tough on them not to return given the number of points they amassed.

Will actually be driving down Meadow Lane tomorrow (Andre Rieu concert in Nottingham), so will defo give them a good luck cheer as I pass the ground … before my missus gives me one of those don’t talk about football looks!

[Proposition Joe]

Be good to see Notts back but just glad it wasn't Boreham Wood, enough tinpot clubs with no fans like Salford, Stevenage, Crawley and Fleetwood have managed to buy their way into the League in recent seasons.

[FrankOFile]

Such a pity that Crawley didn’t drop down.

[RedDwarf 1881]

Fair play to Notts County, massive favs to win play offs after disappointment of getting pipped to title by Wrexham.
2-0 down, scored to make it 2-2 in the 97min
Then win it 3-2 in last min of extra time.

If I was a betting man my money would be on Chesterfield .

[tuffers#1]

Be good to see Notts back but just glad it wasn't Boreham Wood, enough tinpot clubs with no fans like Salford, Stevenage, Crawley and Fleetwood have managed to buy their way into the League in recent seasons.

If another promotion place is given the influx of sh!te grounds will to . Hope it stays at two up

[RedDwarf 1881]

Anybody else watching the final . Notts Co are playing some good stuff but I can't see them winning this game . If Chesterfield score a second I reckon it's game over .

[BIGRON]

1_1

[ContrifibulatoryFred]

Chesterfield had the best chances and should have been more than a goal up at half time.
Now at FT County have the momentum especially as Chesterfield missed a gilt edged chance after County’s terrible goalkeeper made yet another error.
Hope McCallum comes on for them in ET but think County will win 3-1

[Bergen]

COME ON COUNTY!!!!