Extended play-off idea that would include Doncaster Rovers is 'gaining popularity' according to rival club owner

The suggestion of extending the League One play-offs beyond the usual four teams which would potentially include Doncaster Rovers is gaining popularity according to one club owner.
EFLEFL
EFL

With the 23 third tier clubs in deadlock in discussions over how to resolve the remainder of the 2019/20 campaign, Peterborough United chairman Darragh MacAnthony last week suggested an eight or ten team play-off to determine a third promotion place to the Championship.

And according to Posh co-owner Stewart ‘Randy’ Thompson, the eight team option is proving increasingly popular.

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“This solution (extended play-offs) is gaining legs with the ‘Top 10’ owners,” Thompson wrote on social media.

“I can totally understand why after Top 10 you don’t actually care. A play-off like this is way more fair than WPG or PPG.

“It’s an easier straight up formula because what do you weigh, home form, away form, league placing form etc etc?”

The EFL board will meet on Wednesday with attempts to resolve the current impasse in League One firmly on their agenda.

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League One clubs met on Friday but failed to reach a unified decision on how to complete the season. They are expected to vote again in the days following the EFL board meeting, though informal conversations continue to take place.

MacAnthony led a public six club protest against plans to cancel the remainder of the regular season - as has taken place in League Two.

The EFL board are keen to see promotion and relegation take place across their three divisions as well as play-off campaigns. They also favour deciding final placings under a straight points per game calculation.

Under that system, Rovers would remain in the ninth place they currently occupy, and be included in an eight-team play-off, with the division’s top two, Coventry City and Rotherham United, likely to be promoted automatically.

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Much of the reluctance to accept ending the season with a traditional four team play-off format is down to the fact that places three to eight in the division are separated by just one point, with all having at least eight matches left to play.

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