Championship Play Offs History/Stats

[HirstWhoScoredIt]

The Championship Play offs have been going in their present format since 1989/90.

 

Before that, they existed for a few seasons but the team from the top division that finished one spot above the relegation zone also competed in them.

 

In the 26 play offs (in the current format), the winners have been split as follows:-

 

3rd = 9 winners

4th = 5 winners

5th = 7 winners

6th = 5 winners

 

_{* In 94/95 Bolton won the play offs after finishing 3rd.  However in that season only the top team went up automatically, hence Bolton were the second ranked play off team so they are counted as finishing 4th above.}

 

_{** In 90/91 Notts County won the play offs after finishing 4th.  However, in that season the top three teams went up automatically, hence County were the top ranked play off team so they are counted as finishing 3rd above.}

 

_{*** In 89/90 Swindon won the play offs after finishing 4th.  Hence their result is included even though they were subsequently disqualified (and the FL bizarrely decided to promote Play Off runners up Sunderland who finished 6th instead of Newcastle who finished 3rd or Wednesday who were the highest ranked relegated team)}

 

Therefore, the common concept that the team that finishes third is on a downer and therefore doesn't do well in the play offs is false.  However, that may have something to do with the fact that they usually know before the last match that they need to prepare themselves for the play offs.

 

The ultimate disappointment to get over before the play offs is not winning your last match and knowing that if you had, you would have got promoted.  Either Boro or Brighton seem almost certain to suffer this fate this season as they play each other last match and are currently level on points.

 

It has only happened twice before since 1990 when a team has failed to win the last match and if they had they would have gained automatic promotion.  I was surprised at its rarity.  Bolton suffered this fate in 1995 but bounced back to win the play offs.  Watford lost at home to Leeds in 2013 when a win would have given them automatic and subsequently went on to lose the play off final to Palace.

 

12 of the 26 play off winners have finished 5th or 6th thereby showing that playing the first leg at home is hardly any disadvantage at all.  Indeed, possibly none if you argue that the slight bias towards teams coming 3rd and 4th is due to them being better teams.

 

Logical Conclusion:-

 

Wednesday are nailed on to continue our 100% play offs and be in the Premier League next season.

 

UTO

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[OxonOwl]

There is a potential difference to just finishing third and it being decided on the last day, maybe in the dying seconds of a game.

[HirstWhoScoredIt]

There is a potential difference to just finishing third and it being decided on the last day, maybe in the dying seconds of a game.

 

I know.  Hence why I highlighted it has happened twice before to Bolton and Watford and will probably happen this season.

 

[HirstWhoScoredIt]

I'd be interested to see how those stats looked 10 years ago. 3rd from memory never went up but I think that's changed a lot in recent times

Might be wrong

 

Six of the last ten winners have finished 3rd, so 3rd is due a bad run

[Buxtongent]

This season is, to me, a typical example of the TOTAL UNFAIRNESS of the play-off system. In a league which has seemed highly competitive for the last few years, with two games to go, the top three teams have scored a total of 87 points each. Only one of the following three clubs can theoretically achieve the same number of points obtained by the first 3. Were the sixth team, at current ourselves, to win their remaining 2 matches, and the top four to lose all their remaining games, we would still be a minimum of 4 points ( a win and a draw) behind the top 3. Were we to beat the 3rd placed club in a play off, and gain promotion, we would be taking the place of a side that has outscored and outpointed us by 10 points.

I cannot see the fairness in this, though I will still accept promotion, however undeserved.  

[HirstWhoScoredIt]

This season is, to me, a typical example of the TOTAL UNFAIRNESS of the play-off system. In a league which has seemed highly competitive for the last few years, with two games to go, the top three teams have scored a total of 87 points each. Only one of the following three clubs can theoretically achieve the same number of points obtained by the first 3. Were the sixth team, at current ourselves, to win their remaining 2 matches, and the top four to lose all their remaining games, we would still be a minimum of 4 points ( a win and a draw) behind the top 3. Were we to beat the 3rd placed club in a play off, and gain promotion, we would be taking the place of a side that has outscored and outpointed us by 10 points.

I cannot see the fairness in this, though I will still accept promotion, however undeserved.  

 

meh

 

[Adepizza]

Am I right in thinking that by finishing 6th and playing the team that finishes 3rd means that we would be Match A and would play both matches at 7.45?

[sherlyegg]

"Therefore, the common concept that the team that finishes third is on a downer and therefore doesn't do well in the play offs is false."

 

Soz, I don't see it that way. In the figures you give you say finishing 3rd = 9 winners but finishing 4th 5th or 6th = 17 winners.

 

So by my bad adding up anyhow, it seems you have nearly twice as much chance of being promoted if not in 3rd place?

[centurionduck]

"Therefore, the common concept that the team that finishes third is on a downer and therefore doesn't do well in the play offs is false."

Soz, I don't see it that way. In the figures you give you say finishing 3rd = 9 winners but finishing 4th 5th or 6th = 17 winners.

So by my bad adding up anyhow, it seems you have nearly twice as much chance of being promoted if not in 3rd place?

By that same logic -

6th = 5 winners but 3rd, 4th and 5th = 21 winners.

You have over four times as much chance of being promoted if not in 6th place...

[sharrowowl]

This season is, to me, a typical example of the TOTAL UNFAIRNESS of the play-off system. In a league which has seemed highly competitive for the last few years, with two games to go, the top three teams have scored a total of 87 points each. Only one of the following three clubs can theoretically achieve the same number of points obtained by the first 3. Were the sixth team, at current ourselves, to win their remaining 2 matches, and the top four to lose all their remaining games, we would still be a minimum of 4 points ( a win and a draw) behind the top 3. Were we to beat the 3rd placed club in a play off, and gain promotion, we would be taking the place of a side that has outscored and outpointed us by 10 points.

I cannot see the fairness in this, though I will still accept promotion, however undeserved.

Regarding fairness, what if the 3rd place team has had an extra £64 million to spend due to spending one season in the premier league?

[mancowl08]

Regarding fairness, what if the 3rd place team has had an extra £64 million to spend due to spending one season in the premier league?

Love it......excellent point!!!

[GMOwl72]

Averaging out there is little difference in finishing 3/4th or 5/6th so all to play for. Anyone know how many times teams finishing 6th have made it to the actual play off final?

[jamthesun]

"Therefore, the common concept that the team that finishes third is on a downer and therefore doesn't do well in the play offs is false."

 

Soz, I don't see it that way. In the figures you give you say finishing 3rd = 9 winners but finishing 4th 5th or 6th = 17 winners.

 

So by my bad adding up anyhow, it seems you have nearly twice as much chance of being promoted if not in 3rd place?

Er......no.

[Pulsar]

Only one stat matters really....

We have played in one play offs, we have won one play offs.

So..... 100% record, not bad

Don't those Blavdes have a 100% record too?