It's a long time since we had so uninspiring a run-in, having had a title (ahem), a Champions' League place and two Cup Finals to get excited about over the past four years. However, Saturday was an example of how pointless most of the season is for most fans. Boring, atmosphereless, nothing more than an injury risk. For Coventry, it's like this every year for most of the year. Answer: cut the Premiership to 18 clubs and have play offs for relegation. Thoughts. I'll admit, it would kill me and I would prefer boredom in the fianl few fixtures. However, you'd have thought most people at SJP were about to be executed, such was the atmosphere on Saturday.

-- Anonymous, May 02, 2000

Answers

Maurice Lyndsay(sp?) who used to be the big cheese at the Rugby League, was on Any Sporting Questions, on 5 Live last week. He was trying to justify the fact that a team can have a 100% record in the league but might not finish as champions because the top five "play- off" for the championship! As we know, play-offs are an American invention. The object was to allow regional divisions of clubs (in whichever sport) because of the vast travelling distances involved. In the days before anyone could jump on a plane and be in another time zone a few hours later, that was vital. England however is a comparitvely tiny country and in my opinion, play-offs are totally unjustified. I don't give a toss about "keeping the season alive". It's just not a fair system. In the U.S.A. the teams which won divisions would meet in the play- offs. That was fair enough. They were all divisional champions with an equal right to be there. In the 1st division over here though, the 3rd placed team has to face the 6th placed team! Bloody ridiculous! I know that "wild cards" have been around for a long time in U.S. sports but the original, regional principle remains the same. I hate end of season games as much as anyone but the simple league system has served us well for more than a century. It must not be changed. Having said all that, I do believe the time will come, when the title is settled by play-offs. I do understand that you Dougal, were talking about relegation play-offs but either way....... As for the atmosphere......All seater stadia - no other reason.

-- Anonymous, May 02, 2000

Agree in full SMB. And don't get me started on all-seater stadia - my all-time favourite chestnut that's so old it used to grow on trees where the Pyramids now stand ! BTW - will The Theatre of Hush (aka OT) be getting a 'singing section' next season ? I seem to recall it being promised by their board last year. Not the same as designing a 'safe' standing section, but preferable to the morgues currently dotted around all PL grounds.

-- Anonymous, May 03, 2000

Looney.
At the risk of bringing on a fit of apoplexy, I have to say I'm ower the moon that stadia are all seater.

When it was standing room only, I used to come out of games knackered from bobbing and weaving just to see the pitch. Being the world's smallest giant is no advantage whatsoever in a no-sitty-down environment. -)

-- Anonymous, May 03, 2000