davieG Posted 30 May 2005 Posted 30 May 2005 Premiership debate four points for away win Radical changes to be discussed at Premier League annual meeting as fears grow that there are too many boring games Denis Campbell, sports news correspondent Sunday May 29, 2005 The Observer Premiership clubs could receive four points for an away win under plans to be discussed by team bosses who want to make games more entertaining. The radical idea will be floated at this week's Premier League annual meeting, which will hear calls for dramatic changes to address rising concern that there are too many boring, irrelevant matches. In a briefing note to chairmen before this week's gathering, Premier League chief executive Richard Scudamore has listed the many challenges that clubs face if the Premiership is to safeguard its status as the world's most popular and most lucrative league. It is a summary of areas of concern identified by the league's Attendances Working Group, which was set up last November to examine whether the increase in the number of matches shown on Sky television - up from 106 to 138 - and prices charged by clubs were affecting crowd levels. The issues include 'quality of football - negativity, formations, less attacking play' and what many clubs believe is the closely related issue of 'competitiveness of the League - predictability, including points structure'. The recent decline in the number of away fans, the increased number of matches moved from Saturday 3pm kick-offs to suit television and negative impact of misbehaviour by players and managers are also on the agenda. Several club chairmen and chief executives told Observer Sport yesterday of their fears that the tendency for teams to opt for safety-first football, deploying only one forward in a cautious attempt to avoid defeat, was producing too much dull play, leaving fans frustrated. 'Last season more and more teams played 4-5-1,' said one chairman. 'It may help them pick up more points than they might otherwise have got and increase their chances of staying up, but it's often not exciting. There are too many irrelevant, unmemorable games, especially involving teams in the middle of the table who won't get relegated or get into Europe, and especially towards the end of the season.' Another chairman said: 'This trend towards 4-5-1 is understandable - the financial consequences of not surviving in the Premiership are serious - but it cannot be good for the Premier League in the long run. There are signs that, combined with the saturation coverage of games on TV and the cost and hassle of attending matches, this could make some fans stop coming.' Encouraging the visiting team to attack by awarding them four points for a win is one of the ideas to be discussed. Concern about the attractiveness of the Premiership will be heightened by the revelation that matches televised by Sky suffered a 10 per cent fall in their average audience last season. Official figures from the British Audience Research Bureau published last week by TV Sports Markets magazine show that an average of 1.224million viewers per match tuned in during the 2004-05 season, a drop of 9.7 per cent on the previous season's 1.356m. Club executives say that, with 32 further fixtures being shown and league rules requiring each team to be screened a certain number of times, a loss in the quality of some games shown - and reduction in the average audience - was inevitable. However, league chiefs are heartened by the fact that the total number of viewers watching live games over the course of the season has risen. It went up from 89.5m in 2003-04 to 107.7m, an increase of 20.4 per cent. The annual meeting may also hear rumbles of discontent about the way the Premier League share out broadcasting revenue and claims that clubs below the unofficial Big Four of Chelsea, Arsenal, Manchester United and Liverpool get too little. But new figures from the League, revealing how much each club earned last season, show the gap between the top and bottom clubs has narrowed. Chelsea, the champions, received £30.7m, while Southampton, who finished bottom, were paid £18.4m Source
Flemmish Posted 30 May 2005 Posted 30 May 2005 I think that is a load of rubbish. I think fans would rather see their club stay in the leauge, instead of watching 'exciting' matches. Like we did, loads of 'exciting' games where we lost, but inevitably we got relegated. If we drew and won a few more of the 'exciting' games we lost we would have had a better chance of staying in the league.
Newcastle_Fox Posted 30 May 2005 Posted 30 May 2005 Dont fancy the idea at all, would rather my team stop up by drawing than go for exciting 4 point away wins. Never heard anything more ridiculous, cant see other league implementing it.Next they will be brining in penalties if it is level after full time like the American League and you get extra points for a shoot out win.
City Fan Posted 30 May 2005 Posted 30 May 2005 I actually quite like the idea. Not just for entertainment - but they always say that its harder to get an away win.
Wellman Posted 30 May 2005 Posted 30 May 2005 I don't like that idea! Some teams are better off away from home and would benefit from that! A mid table average side who are good away from home could play in champions league! RUBBISH IDEA!
TrickyTrev Posted 31 May 2005 Posted 31 May 2005 I don't like the away goals rule much so this just seems stupid. Any concerns that the Premiership is 'boring' are clearly misplaced anyway, it is one of the most watched sporting events in the world.
TornadoShaunUK Posted 31 May 2005 Posted 31 May 2005 Crap idea - clubs like Man U Arsenal and Chelsea will be having a field day when they visit the lesser teams..
Anish Posted 31 May 2005 Posted 31 May 2005 Garbage. The Premier League need look no further than themselves for all the negative aspects mentioned in that report. Attendances are dropping because clubs are ripping fans off - ticket prices are far too expensive. Travelling to away games is almost impossible for families, and provisions should be made to encourage more away supporters by reducing the prices. Attendances have also dropped because of the ridiculous TV scheduling - Sky can change games whenever they want to a Sunday or Monday, which is far less convenient for fans. Less viewers are watching matches on TV because there are far too many games on these days. The Premier League have sold far too many live matches to Sky and it's little wonder not as many people are watching them.
davieG Posted 31 May 2005 Author Posted 31 May 2005 Garbage. The Premier League need look no further than themselves for all the negative aspects mentioned in that report. Attendances are dropping because clubs are ripping fans off - ticket prices are far too expensive. Travelling to away games is almost impossible for families, and provisions should be made to encourage more away supporters by reducing the prices. Attendances have also dropped because of the ridiculous TV scheduling - Sky can change games whenever they want to a Sunday or Monday, which is far less convenient for fans. Less viewers are watching matches on TV because there are far too many games on these days. The Premier League have sold far too many live matches to Sky and it's little wonder not as many people are watching them. 117899[/snapback] Agree, not forgetting also that most club's supporters know their team is just fighting to avoid relegation and subsequent administration, not much fun in that I would suggest. Infact I'm not to fussed as to whether we get promoted or not. these days I'd forgo promotion for a League or FA cup final, even a losing one.
Nationwider Posted 31 May 2005 Posted 31 May 2005 No thank you. Nearly as bad an idea as turning the Premiership into a 32-team American Football Conference system. Apparently this gem is being given some airtime in the corridors of power as well.
Scow Posted 31 May 2005 Posted 31 May 2005 What a farcical idea - Next they'll be a suggestion whereby if a match results in a draw, then neither team should be awarded a point.
Guest Posted 1 June 2005 Posted 1 June 2005 How about bonus points if you score more than 3 goals? How about rewarding the losing side with a point if they lose by only one goal, and there are more than 7 in the game? Why not give the team with the most interesting kit 3 points at the start of the season to help their campaign along? Think of the revenue from kit sales then. Perhaps a 'most entertaining mascot' comp-etition, with cash prizes? Think of the fans, people, think of the fans.....
Anish Posted 1 June 2005 Posted 1 June 2005 How about bonus points if you score more than 3 goals? How about rewarding the losing side with a point if they lose by only one goal, and there are more than 7 in the game?Why not give the team with the most interesting kit 3 points at the start of the season to help their campaign along? Think of the revenue from kit sales then. Perhaps a 'most entertaining mascot' comp-etition, with cash prizes? Think of the fans, people, think of the fans..... 118012[/snapback]
toonboy Posted 1 June 2005 Posted 1 June 2005 How about bonus points if you score more than 3 goals? How about rewarding the losing side with a point if they lose by only one goal, and there are more than 7 in the game?Why not give the team with the most interesting kit 3 points at the start of the season to help their campaign along? Think of the revenue from kit sales then. Perhaps a 'most entertaining mascot' comp-etition, with cash prizes? Think of the fans, people, think of the fans..... 118012[/snapback] 118199[/snapback] Dont forget a 1-point Brucie Bonus if they can guess if their amount of goals scored will be higher or lower than last week. Stupid idea. It would just make the gap between the top 3 and the rest even bigger. If they are going to try something like this then why do it in the Premiership? Trial it in a lower league if it has to be done. If they feel the Prem is getting too boring atleast trial it in the thrill a minute Conference. <_<
foxilescom Posted 1 June 2005 Posted 1 June 2005 I remember years ago, one team went on TV with a serious proposal that you should award points for each half ! , so if you lost the first half , you could still get some points by doing well in the 2nd half ! . and no points for guessing which team it was. Play in Blue, Scottish Manager, Famous fan who does crisp adverts
Leicesterboi Posted 4 June 2005 Posted 4 June 2005 That is stupid. Next the budweiser adverts will become reality 'Added time multi ball'
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.