Cats don't expect ‘alternatives’ to hand them a promotion reprieve
Jim Rodwell does not expect proposals for an extension of the League One play-offs to win enough support at next Tuesday’s crunch EFL meeting.
The EFL board have signalled their strong preference that clubs vote to settle tables on a points-per-game formula in the event of a curtailment to the season, with four teams con testing the play-offs as usual.
A 51% majority in each division would then be required to curtail.
However, a number of alternative proposals will be voted on, including the principle of no relegations throughout the pyramid, and no relegation from League Two.
Also on the table will be a proposal from Tranmere Rovers, which would see the PPG formula used but with a ‘margin of error’ applied.
The margin of error is calculated by establishing the difference in recent campaigns between the points totals teams had at this stage of the season with where they ended up.
Under this proposal, only Bolton Wanderers and Southend United will be relegated from League One, while Sunderland would be invited to take part in an extended playoff campaign.
It’s understood that an amendment to Tranmere’s proposal has also been submittedby Ipswich Town, which would extend the play-offs even further.
Sunderland are keen to resume and fulfil the fixture list, but did initially put forward their own proposal for the extended play-offs.
That was rejected by the EFL and while the Black Cats would clearly prefer it to settling the table purely on PPG, they are not holding out much hope for a reprieve.
“We did put forward a proposal initially for an extended play-off model,” Rodwell said.
“We presented our thoughts and subsequently theEFL came out and said they wouldn' t consider an extended play-off.
“I'm not sure a model for extended play-offs will get enough traction.
“I don' t think you' re going to get teams in the automatic promotion place sort he four play off places voting for anything less than a one in four spot.
“All of them have said they are happy to play out the season, but none of them have said they would extend the play-offs.”
Portsmouth CEO Mark Cat lin has already stated that his club would not support the proposal, while Fleetwood Town boss Joey Barton also expressed reservations from his club’s perspective last month.
For Tranmere’s proposal to pass, a majority of EFL clubs will to have support it, as well as a majority within the Championship itself.
Third-tier clubs would then have to vote on whether to apply to their own division separately.
Sunderland expect that the EFL’s original framework will pass, and that a narrow majority will then vote to end the
League One season.
The Black Cats fear that the long decision-making process will have pushed any floating voters towards curtailing.
Clubs have not started testing or returned to training (though Oxford United will begin testing on Thursday ahead of what is likely to be a play-off campaign), meaning the campaign could not conceivably resume until July.