Premier League Play-Offs? What next...Cheerleaders?

I came across an interesting concept today that I thought I'd share; the idea that the 4 teams who finish 4th through 7th in the English Premier League play off for the 4th Champions League spot.  It will never happen, but it's an interesting thought nonetheless. 

If today was the end of the season this format would pitch Liverpool, Spurs, Man City and Aston Villa into a mini-competition at the end of the season...

So what are the pros?

• More revenue for the clubs in question and the EPL.
• An opportunity for someone other than Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea and Man Utd to qualify. (Did you know that these same four clubs have filled the top four positions in five of the past six seasons. Only Everton, in 2005, have broken their stranglehold.)
• TV coverage of more exciting, meaningful games. The Championship Play off final (to win a place in the Premier League) is often one of the most exciting games of the year for the neutral fan.
• Mid table mediocrity could become a thing of the past; if you're in 10th/12th place in April, and still have a shot at 7th, the last 6 weeks of the season take on new meaning.

And the cons?

• Extends the already congested season by another week or two; it would be no good in World Cup or European Championship years.
• Having weaker teams in the Champions League could jeopardise England's entitlement to 4 Champions League places.
• If you support English football and like to see English teams do well in Europe, wouldn't having Villa, Spurs or a team like Birmingham damage the potential for 3 or 4 English teams reaching the Quarters or Semis?
• Last year Fulham finished in 7th, a full 19 points behind Arsenal in 4th. Even if you dislike Arsenal, would it be fair for a season's work to be lost in a one-off game to a team who finished that far back? In fact Fulham were only 19 points above relegation! That's how big the gulf in class was...

This year the battle for 4th is more interesting anyway; with the likes of Villa, Citeh and Spurs giving Liverpool and Arsenal a genuine run for their money. But could Play-Offs, a further Americanisation of the Premier League, bring a new dimension to the EPL?

Personally I'd prefer the introduction of Cheerleaders, a much better American invention!

Players you love to hate!

While watching the Man Utd v Manchester City derby today, it struck me how much I really dislike Man City striker Craig Bellamy. There's no real reason for it; I've never met the man, he may be delightful in person (although I doubt it) but there's just something about the way he plays, carries himself and behaves on the football pitch that makes want to punch him in the face! And I'm not a violent man!

Others of the same ilk include Lee Bowyer, Robbie Savage, Didier Drogba, Steven Gerrard, Joey Barton...I'm sure there's more...but it's late and it's been a long day...I'd value your views/contributions to the list though...

Anyway, on a slightly related note, I was searching You Tube to see if someone had done this job for me, and came across this slightly crazy ESPN Top 10 list of NHL players you love to hate - never heard of any of them (not being a NHL fan) but these guys would give you a real reason to dislike them - take a look at some of these hits! 

Who's your money on?

So the gig must be up for Rafa Benitez at Liverpool. The TV pundits are all weighing in, as are most media types (and bloggers!), that this must be his last season in charge of the famous old club. As I suggested here on Mostly Balls earlier this week - http://mostlyballs.blogspot.com/2010/01/is-this-end-for-rafa.html - his job is hanging by a thread. He may be gone as soon as next week if they don't get a win this weekend, but if he lasts the season, there can be little doubt that he won't be at the helm of The Reds next August when the new season comes around.

In this interesting article from ESPN Soccernet, they debate his likely successor...?  Who's your money on? My crisp $1 bill is placed firmly on Guus Hiddink. Dalglish would be a backward step; I think Mourinho is biding his time to be Sir Alex Ferguson's successor at Utd; Klinsmann won't trade LA for Liverpool (would you?); O'Neill is on a mission at Villa and Rijkaard, well maybe he's an outsider...perhaps 50 cents on him. 

Who's your money on? The Anfield Contenders...

Is this the end for Rafa?

I don't have much time today, but I couldn't resist this quick thought... Is this the end of the road for Liverpool Manager Rafa Benitez? After another lacklustre performance from his multi-million Pound team, the Reds were dumped out of the FA Cup by lowly Reading FC today.

So following an abysmal EPL season, failing to qualify for the latter rounds of the Champions League, and now losing to a lower division team in the FA Cup, surely the patience of the American owners' of this once proud Football Club must be wearing thin...

This defeat is reminiscent of a famous game at Anfield in 1994 (video below) in which lowly Bristol City sent mighty Liverpool out of the FA Cup; that defeat saw the end of then Liverpool Manager Graeme Souness. I was lucky enough to be at that game, supporting my local team at the time, the mighty Bristol City! 

So what money on Rafa being gone before the end of January? And if so, who's next in the hot seat?

Read the BBC match report Liverpool 1 - Reading 2