Quote: DaveO "The top 5 system was never given enough of a run IMO. While under that the loser in the 2nd v 3rd game in week 1 got another chance I think there was more value in winning it so it was a bigger game less likely to be dismissed.
As to attendances next season the playoff game will probably be a good crowd. It's the crowds we have before it that will be interesting. This system resulted in lower attendances in the Swiss soccer league overall and was a reason it was abandoned.'"
They moved to a top 8 PO system when they scrapped P+R so that more teams had something to play for. If they scrapped P+R and kept a top 5 PO system the last 3 months of the season would be meaningless for the majority of teams.
Wigan's average attendance has fallen by over 2000 over the last two seasons, so it's not like everyone loves the current structure. Comparisons with its use in other sports are pretty moot tbh, it needs to be looked at in terms of how it will work in RL. We are losing two home games against London and Bradford, and gaining 3 or 4 games that will likely be against top 8 opposition. There is more emphasis on finishing higher up in the table and the long, drawn-out PO system with 2nd chances and weeks off will be gone. People may have reserversations with this system, but the problems with it are more for the middle and lower tiers. For top 8 teams, it will be much, much better than what we have now.
