23 May 2026 10:57:38
{Ed's Note - Ed001 has posted a new article entitled, Matchday 37 - Quick Round Up
23 May 2026 12:34:25
How can the team who lost the play offs be promoted. I, for one, hope they get beat, so Rob's new Wolves turn them over next season.
23 May 2026 15:12:29
I agree. Rewarded for losing with a chance to play for the Premier League. They could have made Borough play Wrexham for a spot in the final instead, or said Hull should be promoted, as they are the only team to win a playoff game. Not much money to be made doing the latter though.
23 May 2026 15:59:22
That's a good idea. Wrexham being added instead of Southampton, and continue playoffs: keep Hull in the final, and Borough play Hull 1st, then the winner meets Hull in the final... but they didn't have the b******* to do it right.
23 May 2026 16:01:14
This is why I have never agreed with the whole playoff system.
We have the team who finished 6th (Hull) threatening legal action if they lose the playoff final! Madness.
It is time it was scrapped and promotion should be granted on a top three finish.
23 May 2026 16:13:12
Yes, I agree with the Wrexham idea, should never have just reinstated Boro. They lost the second game against Saints fair and square. Hoping Hull win, plus Ryan Giles plays for them. Thought he was a good player we could have kept.
23 May 2026 16:30:31
Given the unprecedented circumstances in this season's playoffs, there is no right answer. However, the team promoted through the playoffs has to play three matches. It would be unfair to give Wrexham a bye direct to the final. The solution arrived at may simply be the least-worst solution.
Whatever, there has to be a final, and in doing so, Hull will be playing their required third match. Another solution might have let Southampton continue, and fine them massively if they won, like £100mil to wipe out ill-gotten gains, or a large points deduction if they didn't get promoted.
23 May 2026 17:10:53
Thing is, Goatmark1, it could be argued that Boro didn't lose fair and square as you put it.
The whole thing is, did Southampton 'cheat' by watching Boro? The EFL say there's enough to say 'possibly', so, like it or not, Boro won the right to be in that semi, and by default they get the final.
Don't get me wrong, I'm willing Hull to win, watching as I type, but it could go either way with a fluke goal as it stands.
23 May 2026 17:25:19
Easiest thing would have been to allow Southampton to play the final, and if they won promotion, deduct them 3 points for each confirmed charge (9 points) and a £20m fine. If they lost, they start the Championship season with minus 9 points and a similar fine.
23 May 2026 17:35:05
I thought the spying happened before the first game, Abbey, so I assumed they didn't have an advantage from that in the second game, but you're right, it's a bit dubious either way.
23 May 2026 17:54:40
Justice prevailed in the end.