Summer 2025 transfer rumours

I'd have to look at the data to confirm how much of an advantage it is.

 

They also didn't have the benefit of a £60M parachute payment so I'd say that they more than earned a crack at promotion given how uneven the ground was.

 

So you’d rather go back to the days when over half the teams in each division had nothing to play for from March onwards? You’ll be in a very small minority if that’s the case. The idea of returning to those days is crazy. The playoffs keep far more teams involved to the end of the season and create much more excitement for the majority of fans.

 

The play offs are not fair but it’s the best way of keeping the competition going till the end of the season and also financially better with better gates and television receipts. They all know the rules from the start perhaps a change of rules might still keep the interest but be more equitable 6 play 7 to qualify to play 5th the winner to play 4th. A bit long winded but fairer

 

Im not sure if the data backs it up, but its always said, the team playing the second leg at home, potentially gets an extra 30 minutes of football and penalties with home advantage. Certainly would have suited us this season if we finished 4th!

Ive always said play offs should be 1 leg, 4th and 5th at home and thats your advantage.

 

I do agree with you to some extent but based purely on our form this season I think it would have been a considerable advantage to us in helping us overturn the 4-3 loss or whatever crazy thing would have happened in the first, away leg!

 

Luton did and they went the other way
Carlisle have done fantastic on their new found wealth
Money doesn’t guarantee success, although it can also help like Birmingham and Wrexham

 

I don’t have an answer to that
I am just not a lover of the current concept
In the end it’s irrelevant what us fans think and the playoffs are here to stay

 

I think you will find that a huge majority of fans like and support the play off system, of course how they are finalised and played could be tinkered with , but the concept is copied the world over I believe ?


Clubs absolutely love it as it increases their revenue income without a shadow of a doubt.

 

Well, whatever the argument’s for or against
I am highly delighted we are not involved this season

 

I love the play offs as it keeps the season alive for many teams. I saw many seasons in the 70s when we were about 12 points off the top 4 with nothing to play for but still in 7th or 8th place. I would tweak them though and would have the highest placed team go straight to Wembley and the other three fight it out in a one leg knockout with the higher placed team at home. So in our league Walsall would be at Wembley,Notts county would be home to Chesterfield and the winners would play Wimbledon away with the winner then playing Walsall. Similar to the National league but even more of an advantage the higher you finish.

 

Smallwood to Salford has been floated on some nonsense Facebook transfers page i was recommended this morning. Utter nonsense but at least the season of nonsense has well and truly started!!!

Is it too early to link us to Kieran Agard?

 

Another 40 minutes on his journey, each way. Can't see it.

 

Is it that far fetched? Elliott Watt was the same. Whilst someone is out of contract and teams have money to throw around (I suspect Salford may be one of them), anything can happen.

 

Salford have just released 17 players and will have some money to throw around. Wouldn’t surprise me

 

Surely if you're going to do that it would be fairer for 6th and 7th to play each other (in this case Chesterfield and Wimbledon), and the winner of that game to play 5th (Notts), with the winner then going onto Wembley.

 

Smallwood was fairly open about the fact he wants to play near his home because he has a young family. As someone's said above, I bet he doesn't even entertain the idea of another hours trip each way for what's likely his final pro contract.

 

Probably agree with you, and obviously hope we get him signed up quickly for his leadership qualities.
Everything has a price and stranger things have happened!
We really need to be strengthening all over the park but see him as an integral part of the team going forwards

 

Wonder if we'll be linked with Macaulay Langstaff this summer? Sounds like he wants out at Millwall and to come back up north. He's another north east lad with a Boro past, in fact looking at the timings I probably bet it was Gent that signed him to the Boro academy as a youth when Gent was the Academy Scout. He only completed 90 mins 3 times at Millwall last season and seemingly wont be a starter next season.

 

Wages would be a big problem. Championship players are on ridiculous money.