Teams like Derby County, who are currently eighth in the Championship table, would currently miss out on the play-offs, as they are three points behind Wrexham with nine games left to play.
However, on Thursday March 5, Championship clubs including Derby were given the chance to vote for play-offs expansion which see it grow from four teams to six for next season.
It would mean for teams like Derby, who are currently outside of the play-offs in seventh and eighth would be inside the new format.
Following Derby’s 2-1 victory over Sheffield Wednesday last weekend, John Eustace was asked what was his thoughts were on the expansion,
“I think it is really exciting, it gives more opportunities to clubs which have a smaller squad, who get injuries and suspensions that find it really difficult during periods in the Championship over the course of the season, now it gives them opportunities to maybe get in the play-offs when in the past, they wouldn’t have been able to.”
The Championship play-offs are an integral part of the culture of English football. The old format, which is being used this season, of four teams, third plays sixth and fourth plays fifth style.
Everyone in England has grown to love and enjoy this format ever since its introduction towards the end of the 1986-87 season, initially introduced for two seasons but stayed due to the popularity of it.
The expansion would change the way the play-offs work entirely as two extra games would be played.
The new format will work like this, teams that finish fourth and fifth will automatically be placed into the play-off semi-finals, while fifth will be at home to eighth and sixth will hosting seventh in a one-legged tie.
The semi-finals and final will still use the traditional format with the final venue still being Wembley.
Derby will be looking take advantage of the new format next season, as they continue their push back to the Premier League, since their record-breaking relegation back in the 2007-2008 season.
Next season in the Championship could see an underdog find their way in the race for Premier League promotion.
