Playoff format - RedPassion.co.uk

Leighton Red · 24th March 2018, 19.03:26

Griff today on commentary mentioned the new playoff rules for this year that I for one hadn’t fully appreciated. If I understood correctly it becomes FA Cup style one game knockout format with Quarterfinals, Semifinals and the usual Final at Wembley. The new format has the twist that finishing the normal season in second or third place gives a bonus of a bye into the Semifinals plus a home tie against one of the winning teams from the Quarterfinals. The playoff format was mainly changed for TV and advertising purposes, to try to make the postseason ‘more exciting’ for the neutral wider television audiences. One thing is clear however, coming second or third now is a massive advantage over a fourth placed finish. Whether attacking football or frugality will be most beneficial is yet to be proven but undoubtedly the ability to protect a lead will be crucial in the new 90 minute ‘winner takes all’ format.

If anyone has the exact format of the draw (I.e. 4th v 7th or 5th v 6th etc) please could it be posted here with dates.

Based on current form (unbeaten in 15!) we will be a part of the playoffs this season in one form or another, let’s just hope we can finish top 3 to ensure a one-off home game at the fortress Racecourse for another crack at Wembley in May!! COYR! #UTST

tokyored · 24th March 2018, 19.10:24

Wednesday 2nd May 2018
Qualifying Round - Match A - 5th place vs 6th place

Thursday 3rd May 2018
Qualifying Round - Match B - 4th place vs 7th Place

Saturday 5th May 2018
Semi Final - 2nd place vs winner of Match A

Sunday 6th May 2018
Semi Final- 3rd place vs winner of Match B

Saturday 12th May 2018
Promotion Final - Wembley Stadium

Funny_Old_Game · 24th March 2018, 19.14:36

There’s no way a team finishing 6th or 7th will win these playoffs, it’s too big an ask.

Brinster · 24th March 2018, 20.03:42

So, if things stayed as they are (highly unlikely I know) we would have Dover at home and then Macc away if successful in the first game. In other words we would have to achieve something above what we have done against either of them for a while. This is the sort of reality we might face just to get to Wembley.

Lets keep looking at one game at a time. A lot less scary.

tokyored · 24th March 2018, 20.10:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brinster

So, if things stayed as they are (highly unlikely I know) we would have Dover at home and then Macc away if successful in the first game. In other words we would have to achieve something above what we have done against either of them for a while. This is the sort of reality we might face just to get to Wembley.

Lets keep looking at one game at a time. A lot less scary.

Tranmere away as it stands

Brinster · 24th March 2018, 20.16:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by tokyored

Tranmere away as it stands

Sorry, yep.

REDPHEONIX · 24th March 2018, 20.26:47

Without getting ahead of ourselves we've already won there once this season with 10 men

REDPHEONIX · 24th March 2018, 20.29:17

Finishing second or third is such an advantage this year with the new format of the play offs. Do you think any team would fancy coming to the Racecourse?

OneLoveWrexham · 24th March 2018, 20.32:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by REDPHEONIX

Finishing second or third is such an advantage this year with the new format of the play offs. Do you think any team would fancy coming to the Racecourse?

Yes all of them probably, they know they’ll get the run of midfield.

24th March 2018, 19.03:26	#1-0 (permalink)
Leighton Red Club Captain Joined: Jul 2012 Racecourse Spot: Yale Stand Real Name: Chris Twitter: @	Playoff format Griff today on commentary mentioned the new playoff rules for this year that I for one hadn’t fully appreciated. If I understood correctly it becomes FA Cup style one game knockout format with Quarterfinals, Semifinals and the usual Final at Wembley. The new format has the twist that finishing the normal season in second or third place gives a bonus of a bye into the Semifinals plus a home tie against one of the winning teams from the Quarterfinals. The playoff format was mainly changed for TV and advertising purposes, to try to make the postseason ‘more exciting’ for the neutral wider television audiences. One thing is clear however, coming second or third now is a massive advantage over a fourth placed finish. Whether attacking football or frugality will be most beneficial is yet to be proven but undoubtedly the ability to protect a lead will be crucial in the new 90 minute ‘winner takes all’ format. If anyone has the exact format of the draw (I.e. 4th v 7th or 5th v 6th etc) please could it be posted here with dates. Based on current form (unbeaten in 15!) we will be a part of the playoffs this season in one form or another, let’s just hope we can finish top 3 to ensure a one-off home game at the fortress Racecourse for another crack at Wembley in May!! COYR! #UTST

24th March 2018, 19.10:24	#2-0 (permalink)
tokyored Legend Joined: Oct 2004 Racecourse Spot: MRS Real Name: Twitter: @	Re: Playoff format Wednesday 2nd May 2018 Qualifying Round - Match A - 5th place vs 6th place Thursday 3rd May 2018 Qualifying Round - Match B - 4th place vs 7th Place Saturday 5th May 2018 Semi Final - 2nd place vs winner of Match A Sunday 6th May 2018 Semi Final- 3rd place vs winner of Match B Saturday 12th May 2018 Promotion Final - Wembley Stadium

24th March 2018, 19.14:36	#3-0 (permalink)
Funny_Old_Game Name A Stand After Me (info 1 & 2) Joined: Nov 2008 Racecourse Spot: Real Name: Twitter: @	Re: Playoff format There’s no way a team finishing 6th or 7th will win these playoffs, it’s too big an ask.

24th March 2018, 20.03:42	#4-0 (permalink)
Brinster First Teamer (info) Joined: Oct 2013 Racecourse Spot: MRS Real Name: Brin Twitter: @I might be a twit but I don't twitter	Re: Playoff format So, if things stayed as they are (highly unlikely I know) we would have Dover at home and then Macc away if successful in the first game. In other words we would have to achieve something above what we have done against either of them for a while. This is the sort of reality we might face just to get to Wembley. Lets keep looking at one game at a time. A lot less scary. __________________ If all is not lost, where the hell is it?

24th March 2018, 20.26:47	#7-0 (permalink)
REDPHEONIX Squad Player Joined: Jul 2012 Racecourse Spot: none given Real Name: none given Twitter: @	Re: Playoff format Without getting ahead of ourselves we've already won there once this season with 10 men

24th March 2018, 20.29:17	#8-0 (permalink)
REDPHEONIX Squad Player Joined: Jul 2012 Racecourse Spot: none given Real Name: none given Twitter: @	Re: Playoff format Finishing second or third is such an advantage this year with the new format of the play offs. Do you think any team would fancy coming to the Racecourse?