MOUSINHO; "WE'RE GOING FOR SET PLAY GOALS"
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What changes are being made to the EFL Championship Playoffs?
The EFL has confirmed the Sky Bet Championship Playoffs will be expanded from four to six teams from next season onwards. EFL chief executive Trevor Burch said, Since their introduction in 1986-87, the playoffs have become a highlight of the domestic football calendar, capturing the drama, suspense and jeopardy that make the EFL so special. Following several months of discussion with clubs and other stakeholders, we are confident this change will further strengthen the championship as a competition, and give more clubs and their supporters a genuine opportunity of achieving promotion. While the format will not be confirmed until the summer, it is expected that the expansion would see the playoffs take this shape.
First and second are automatically promoted as normal, third and fourth qualify for the semi-finals. Fifth versus eighth, and sixth versus seventh, in one-off eliminator ties at the home of the side who finishes higher up the league. The winners of the eliminator ties progress to the semi-finals, to face third and fourth in the format that currently exists. two-legged ties with the second leg at the home of the side that finishes higher up the league. As per usual, the winners of the two semi-finals meet at Wembley for a place in the Premier League. John Masseno is clear that he's happy with the status quo, saying earlier this season, I quite like the format as it is, I'd keep it like that. There's always that argument between the sixth-place team and the third-place team.
There's always a big points gap there. There's always a bit of needle around that that was last in the National League with York City, I think. Everybody will know what the situation is before the season, and everyone should accept that, but I think sixth is a good cut-off. I haven't properly thought about it, but if you start having that disparity between third and eighth, it can be too big.
How will the new playoff format affect team promotions?
If that's the state of play, eighth doesn't finish in the playoffs, and that's the parameters before the season starts, then it's absolutely fine. You just go with it. I've been involved in the game now for more than 20 years, and I think the addition of the playoffs to the Football League are brilliant. It creates a lot of excitement at the back end of the season, it creates a lot of excitement and jeopardy for the sides anywhere between 4th and 10th at the back end of the season. Everything is really tight, and there's now a distinct group say in the Championship who aren't going to make the playoffs. But apart from that, probably from Sheffield United upwards, every side probably thinks they can nick a spot in there if they go on a decent run.
So I think it works pretty well as it is. That's why I'd be loathe to change it. Well, you should hear what Steve Bone has to say about it. He's very loath. He does not sit on the fence and he does not mince his words. You can catch up with Steve and his views on that in his podcast. If you go to your podcast provider or YouTube and click Pompey Sound and then you want the item that begins with his first name, Steve. That's the podcast. Also, of course, you can catch it being streamed here, there and just about everywhere on Pompey Sound Live.
What are Pompey's chances against Blackburn?
So those are the changes that are going to be made. They haven't been ratified yet. That won't happen until the summer. But it seems that pretty much everybody has accepted that those changes are going to be what has been announced and that they are going to happen. So now, next season, if Pompey, whether Pompey are in League One or the Championship, they only have to finish in the top eight, I say only, in order to be their... post-season, in the playoffs. Pompey's recent performances have been decent at the moment, however, the errors need to be cut out if they want to pull away from the drop zone. With that said, I do not see much difference between these two sides. Rovers and Pompey are both decent sides on their day, but the pair just do not have the ability to run away with games.
Prediction, Blackburn Rovers 1 Portsmouth 1.
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Chapters
7 chapters
1
What changes are being made to the EFL Championship Playoffs?
0:02–1:50
2
How will the new playoff format affect team promotions?
1:50–3:14
3
What are Pompey's chances against Blackburn?
3:14–4:51
4
How has Pompey's recent performance impacted their standings?
4:51–5:47
5
What strategies is Pompey using to improve set plays?
5:47–7:16
6
What factors contribute to successful set piece execution?
7:16–8:31
7
How does John Massino view the importance of aggression in set plays?
8:31–9:39