League One and League Two clubs have both now voted for their respective seasons to conclude, with Points Per Game (PPG) being used as the ultimate method for determining league positions in a curtailed season. Not all clubs, however, are happy with this result. Tranmere Rovers and Peterborough United have been perhaps the most vocal in their understandable frustration at this decision.
Tranmere Rovers are set to be relegated from League One in 21st position, an agonising three points behind AFC Wimbledon and with a game in hand, too. What’s more, the sides were previously set to play against each other on the 21st March, in a relegation ‘six-pointer’. Tranmere had won their last three league matches and looked set to really challenge for survival in England’s third tier. Wimbledon had not been in miserable form either, with their last three matches having seen the South London side pick up five crucial points. The deciding factor was 0.06 PPG, a slim margin indeed.
It will come as no surprise that Wimbledon were one of the 18 League One sides in favour of finishing the season in this manner, with their Chief Executive Joe Palmer basing his argument on the financial implications that continuing the season would bring. In contrast, Tranmere were against the PPG method used, arguing for a statistical margin of error to be taken into consideration. After all, football is unpredictable, yet we have asked governing bodies to do exactly that in deciphering the season’s end.
Another vocal opponent to the curtailing of the League One season is Peterborough United. They, perhaps, are the team hit hardest. Dropping one position in the final PPG standings, they have missed out on the play-offs by a margin of 0.02 (1.26 points). The team replacing them in the play-offs are Wycombe Wanderers, jumping five places from 8th to 3rd, despite losing three of their last five and having a goal difference of just +5.
Tranmere Rovers are set to be relegated from League One in 21st position, an agonising three points behind AFC Wimbledon and with a game in hand, too. What’s more, the sides were previously set to play against each other on the 21st March, in a relegation ‘six-pointer’. Tranmere had won their last three league matches and looked set to really challenge for survival in England’s third tier. Wimbledon had not been in miserable form either, with their last three matches having seen the South London side pick up five crucial points. The deciding factor was 0.06 PPG, a slim margin indeed.
It will come as no surprise that Wimbledon were one of the 18 League One sides in favour of finishing the season in this manner, with their Chief Executive Joe Palmer basing his argument on the financial implications that continuing the season would bring. In contrast, Tranmere were against the PPG method used, arguing for a statistical margin of error to be taken into consideration. After all, football is unpredictable, yet we have asked governing bodies to do exactly that in deciphering the season’s end.
Another vocal opponent to the curtailing of the League One season is Peterborough United. They, perhaps, are the team hit hardest. Dropping one position in the final PPG standings, they have missed out on the play-offs by a margin of 0.02 (1.26 points). The team replacing them in the play-offs are Wycombe Wanderers, jumping five places from 8th to 3rd, despite losing three of their last five and having a goal difference of just +5.
Wycombe striker Adebayo Akinfenwa has scored ten of his club's 45 goals this season. Ten teams have scored more than Wycombe, including 17th placed Accrington Stanley.
This may seem to some as just an unfortunate consequence of a season disrupted and dominated by a global pandemic that has changed life in every aspect, not just on a football pitch. However, the hypocrisy seems to creep in when it is acknowledged that Wycombe voted in favour of finishing the season on a PPG method – in short, rejecting the finishing of the season on a purely footballing basis. Yet, Wycombe have offered no opposition to the play-offs and are set to compete. Potentially, Wycombe Wanderers will gain promotion from League One to the Championship on the footballing basis they voted against.
Recently, 3-At-The-Back discussed the integrity of arguments across the footballing pyramid – whether it concerns rule changes (such as an increase in substitutes) or the institution of relegation in a season possibly cut-short or lasting longer than anyone could foresee. Once more, however, integrity behind decision-making must come into question. Self-interest has dominated the decisions behind the curtailing of the League One season. Portsmouth voted to continue the season – fully believing they could achieve automatic promotion and avoid the erratic and unpredictable play-offs. Fleetwood, through their outspoken manager, Joey Barton also voted this way, with the same ambition.
Peterborough do not escape the brush of self-interest either, with their decision to vote in favour of continuing the season dictated by their desire to maintain a play-off position – something they were well aware would be lost with the PPG method. In the relegation battle, Tranmere were voting to maintain their League One status, as were Wimbledon.
Every club in the Football League has made a decision on what is best for them. Finishing the season through football is not important. Finances, on the other hand, are. Whatever veil has been hiding the decision is irrelevant, though widely accepted. The problem with this situation is Peterborough and Wycombe. Wycombe, against finishing the season through playing their remaining 12 league games, will now opt to play two (with a genuine possibility of a third) after having the carrot of Championship football dangled in front of them. Their integrity now appears to be non-existent.
Wycombe manager Gareth Ainsworth appeared to want the final fixtures to be played, fully believing that his side have what it takes to secure play-offs in a normal 46-game season. He did, however, admit that he was not unhappy with the PPG method as it would guarantee Wycombe a play-off position.
Recently, 3-At-The-Back discussed the integrity of arguments across the footballing pyramid – whether it concerns rule changes (such as an increase in substitutes) or the institution of relegation in a season possibly cut-short or lasting longer than anyone could foresee. Once more, however, integrity behind decision-making must come into question. Self-interest has dominated the decisions behind the curtailing of the League One season. Portsmouth voted to continue the season – fully believing they could achieve automatic promotion and avoid the erratic and unpredictable play-offs. Fleetwood, through their outspoken manager, Joey Barton also voted this way, with the same ambition.
Peterborough do not escape the brush of self-interest either, with their decision to vote in favour of continuing the season dictated by their desire to maintain a play-off position – something they were well aware would be lost with the PPG method. In the relegation battle, Tranmere were voting to maintain their League One status, as were Wimbledon.
Every club in the Football League has made a decision on what is best for them. Finishing the season through football is not important. Finances, on the other hand, are. Whatever veil has been hiding the decision is irrelevant, though widely accepted. The problem with this situation is Peterborough and Wycombe. Wycombe, against finishing the season through playing their remaining 12 league games, will now opt to play two (with a genuine possibility of a third) after having the carrot of Championship football dangled in front of them. Their integrity now appears to be non-existent.
Wycombe manager Gareth Ainsworth appeared to want the final fixtures to be played, fully believing that his side have what it takes to secure play-offs in a normal 46-game season. He did, however, admit that he was not unhappy with the PPG method as it would guarantee Wycombe a play-off position.
Peterborough's owner Darren MacAnthony was left furious over the season's curtailment: "For me it's (next season) about vengeance...we, collectively, together as a football club, have to right this injustice, we have to right this wrong."
The shining light are Port Vale who, despite sitting 8th in League Two and just one point outside of the play-offs opted to vote in favour of ending the season and their promotion chances. Chair and co-owner Carol Shanahan stated that the decision was made considering the greater good. To be united as a league and as a club, with the health and financial risks being fully considered, Shanahan made a decision which would be heart-breaking for fans, especially considering the club have spent the 2017-18 and 2018-19 campaigns in relegation battles. The League Two table, in general, has not been as close than the third tier and this could answer some questions as to the lack of uproar over the curtailing decision. Forest Green Rovers were the only team opposed to the decision, whilst bottom club Stevenage have argued against relegation in a plea to retain their league status.
In every season, there are always winners and losers. This year is no different. It would always feel particularly harsh on the teams relegated and missing play-offs in a season which is so unlike any that have preceded it. For Peterborough and Tranmere, it is hard not to sympathise. Two clubs who wanted to play football until the end, an unfortunate minority who will now face a setback next term, despite being so close to achieving their respective aims. For Wycombe, however, they are awarded a chance to play football in the hopes of promotion and the glory and money that accompany that, despite voting against football. It appears that those wanting to play have lost and the beautiful game doesn’t feel as beautiful anymore.
In every season, there are always winners and losers. This year is no different. It would always feel particularly harsh on the teams relegated and missing play-offs in a season which is so unlike any that have preceded it. For Peterborough and Tranmere, it is hard not to sympathise. Two clubs who wanted to play football until the end, an unfortunate minority who will now face a setback next term, despite being so close to achieving their respective aims. For Wycombe, however, they are awarded a chance to play football in the hopes of promotion and the glory and money that accompany that, despite voting against football. It appears that those wanting to play have lost and the beautiful game doesn’t feel as beautiful anymore.
Written by - James McEvoy
Edited by - 3-At-The-Back
Edited by - 3-At-The-Back