SteveEvans Posted October 12, 2012 Report Share Posted October 12, 2012 (edited) Don't know how the fans of the teams feel (which incidentally is the most important thing) but it seems its really difficult with the number of teams in the PL to get a good format for the league. Last year was the 'one league all season' format, whch got very confusing with the B fixtures not being decided until August. This year it went back to the pre league regionalized cup (lopsided groups do to the northern teams outnumbering the rest 8-5), League, Cup and now these round robin play offs. All these competitions to me get very confusing and if you throw in the likes of the Pairs and Fours its simply too many title's you can win. To me neither format is perfect - 13 is a bad number, possibly the worst as its only 12 actual league fixtures unless you use the 2011 format or vary it like the EL does with a limited amount of B fixtures. One thought I would have is when the league had 16-18 teams you had enough dates for most of a full season - anything like a League Cup would be just 3 matches at the start which was more of a warm up versus 1/3 of the season. The league has had teams in recent times that dropped out because it was unviable - Stoke, Mildenhall, IOW. Would it be better to lower the costs of staging PL speedway to get these clubs back and have more teams (as well as easing the financial stress on clubs right now who are not making it at this level)? As it stands right now if Leicester move up, Plymouth move down and Workington close thats just 10 teams next season. I suppose you could go twice around but thats some long drives between the north and Southern outposts. Edited October 12, 2012 by SteveEvans Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Backless Posted October 12, 2012 Report Share Posted October 12, 2012 Yeah, that's the big worry. 13 is an awkward number. Knew thr=ere was something wrong with the Premier League this year, & that's probably it. By the time March comes around, a more convenient number of the teams will be the least of the worries. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
torpointfanatic22 Posted October 12, 2012 Report Share Posted October 12, 2012 I doubt Plymouth will move down. I suspect it will be PL or nothing for us next season. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
screm Posted October 12, 2012 Report Share Posted October 12, 2012 Reading the Speedway Star over the last couple of weeks,the amount of promotions worried about their crowd levels is a alarming,all of them say that costs need to be reduced.We lost Newport last winter,Plymouth look like changing hands,Workington could be up for sale,hopefully we will have at least the same number for next season as this,that,at least would be a start. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveEvans Posted October 12, 2012 Author Report Share Posted October 12, 2012 Yeah, that's the big worry. 13 is an awkward number. Knew thr=ere was something wrong with the Premier League this year, & that's probably it. By the time March comes around, a more convenient number of the teams will be the least of the worries. You can only run with the # of teams you get. The 2012 format in my opinion was not good. If it stays at 13 I'd prefer the EL format of select B fixtures and run 18 league matches home and away and a then a 4 team play off at the end. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brooksy Posted October 12, 2012 Report Share Posted October 12, 2012 Obviously much depends on the number of teams declaring to run at PL level next year, but with the increasingly unpredictable Summer weather and the continuing reduction in disposable income, is it not time for a reduced fixture list with the emphasis on quality rather than quantity? What's wrong with only 10 or 12 home league fixtures plus a cup competition? More and more fans now pick and choose which home meetings they attend, so having a home meeting virtually every week can only dilute the attendance and income, whereas a home meeting on average every second week would surely ensure a higher level of attendance per meeting. Less meetings = less costs, whilst giving promoters more time and opportunity to actually promote each meeting and enhance the quality of the whole 'experience', thus attracting and keeping new customers/fans. . . . . . maybe? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveEvans Posted October 12, 2012 Author Report Share Posted October 12, 2012 Its a fine line in fixtures I think. If you cut them it may help for those who pick and choose but on the other hand, not running every week can get fans out of the groove of going. I certainly agree with the 'enhance the quality of the whole experience' part. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jackson2 Posted October 12, 2012 Report Share Posted October 12, 2012 It looks like the lions will be putting there forms in to go into the elite leauge so the local radio was saying Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Backless Posted October 12, 2012 Report Share Posted October 12, 2012 You can only run with the # of teams you get. The 2012 format in my opinion was not good. If it stays at 13 I'd prefer the EL format of select B fixtures and run 18 league matches home and away and a then a 4 team play off at the end. If the Premier League fannies about like the Elite League by picking a few random fixtures to pad things out, close the door, switch off the light and let it die in peace 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bri1966 Posted October 12, 2012 Report Share Posted October 12, 2012 (edited) no end of season play-offs to decide league champions Edited October 12, 2012 by bri1966 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cockney Rebel Posted October 12, 2012 Report Share Posted October 12, 2012 Tis a tricky one. A couple of years ago fans were saying there's too many meaningless fixtures so they tried something different last year which really didn't work so back to the sort of norm for this year but again fans still saying too many meaningless fixtures towards the end of the season. If you shortened the season and raced only the league and KO cup matches would the clubs that rent their stadium generate enough income to cover the rent? I personally would not like the one week on, one week off scenario because, as someone already posted, you quickly get out of the habit of going. If we're looking for serious competition why not start the year with a proper four team tournament, rounds and final to be decided before the league starts and why not try some sort of GP system for the PL riders. I haven't worked out all the details but might be worth looking at further Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Backless Posted October 12, 2012 Report Share Posted October 12, 2012 no end of season play-offs Yeah, because it was exciting last year, watching the PL cough and fart it's way to its conclusion, weeks after Glasgow won - Plymouth with a team full of NL riders was the exciting climax to last season at Newcastle, wasn't it? As opposed to packed crowds for the Play Off Final & Pointless / Relegation Challenge with Ipswich. Can't be on with big crowds, strangers standing where the regulars stand, queues for chips, got to stop all that. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brooksy Posted October 12, 2012 Report Share Posted October 12, 2012 Football fans seem to cope ok with one home league fixture every other week. Rather than getting out of the habit of going, surely it would make you keener to go when the opportunity arises? And the play-offs must stay, in some form. They need tweaking, but the concept is a winner financially. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevethelion Posted October 12, 2012 Report Share Posted October 12, 2012 It looks like the lions will be putting there forms in to go into the elite leauge so the local radio was saying Yes, looks like Lions are applying to join the elite league for next season.David Hemsley was interviewed on Radio Leicester last night & said he would be handing in the elite league application forms within the next 2 weeks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bamber Posted October 12, 2012 Report Share Posted October 12, 2012 13 heats plus a second half to bring the youngins on and to teast engines etc. keep the k.o. cup bring back the 4s. qualifying system..statr the season march 1st. the team with the most points at the end of the season are champions end of... 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lewis Posted October 12, 2012 Report Share Posted October 12, 2012 (edited) If you run on alternate weeks, then have a rain-off to be re-arranged later in the season, you can quickly end up with 4 weeks of no matches & that to me will affect attendance, as people will get out of the habit or lose interest, every week for me is the way to go. I agree that the league split last year was daft as nobody could forward plan, if you fix the split at the start of the season geographically then you will get enough fixtures, minimise travel costs & people can plan there travels, work shifts etc well in advance. We have to remember that this must go down as one of the worst seasons for rain offs. Edited October 12, 2012 by Lewis Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
homer Posted October 12, 2012 Report Share Posted October 12, 2012 no end of season play-offs to decide league champions I wonder why Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Halifaxtiger Posted October 13, 2012 Report Share Posted October 13, 2012 There has been a lot of muttering about major changes for the NL with rumours abounding about Dudley & Mildenhall moving up. I know there has been a meeting with all NL clubs present but unfortunately don't know the outcome . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CardinalSin Posted October 13, 2012 Report Share Posted October 13, 2012 There has been a lot of muttering about major changes for the NL with rumours abounding about Dudley & Mildenhall moving up. I know there has been a meeting with all NL clubs present but unfortunately don't know the outcome . Sorry if it's a daft question, but can you be a promoter of two different clubs in the same league? I say this as Chris Louis is already making plans for Ipswich' assault in the PL next season. Maybe a little awkward if Mildenhall moved up to the PL as well? I have heard mutterings several times now that Chris Louis does indeed want to take Mildenhall back up to the PL, but when he feels Ipswich are ready to return to the EL and the "partnership" between the two will continue. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrMungo Posted October 13, 2012 Report Share Posted October 13, 2012 There has also been talk of Ipswich moving up to the EL again... Don't you just love silly season? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.