Rumours emerged last week that EFL clubs are in discussions to expand the play-offs in the Championship from six teams to eight teams.
While the changes first proposed by Preston North End chairman Peter Ridsdale don’t immediately impact the Imps it’s still something to keep an eye on.
League One and League Two are being considered by the EFL for the expansion although it is understood that the Championship is the priority.
As it stands the new system would follow a similar structure to the National League and mean that seventh and eighth would also occupy play-off spots in League One.
This would mean that Michael Skubala’s side would currently sit in the penultimate League One play-off spot and go into a single leg eliminator against the sixth placed side.
Alongside that, the sides in eighth and fifth would also face off against each other with the winners going into the traditional play-off format against third and fourth.
It is easy to see why League One and League Two sides want a slice of this new pie being baked higher up the pyramid.
It is still very early days in the proposals that would have seen Blackburn Rovers and Millwall finish in last season’s Championship play-offs.
Meaning that plenty could still change with the Premier League reportedly opposing the discussions and yet to make a statement on the matter.
Sources close to The Linc have confirmed that while clubs are in discussion there is no timescale for when this may happen just yet.
This is because any change would require a formal vote that has not yet being scheduled before an approval from the FA Board.
How it affects the Imps?
The obvious first change is that it gives more sides the chance to get into the play-offs and therefore less ‘dead rubber’ games in the closing fixtures.
In terms of League One, this would have meant that Reading and Bolton Wanderers would have competed in last season’s play-offs.
With Blackpool sitting just one point and one place outside, while the Imps would have sat seven points outside.
Despite the proposals it is still unlikely to change much in terms of the promotion picture with no team winning the League One play-offs from sixth place since 2017.
It was Millwall on that occasion who became one of just two sides to be promoted from sixth position after Barnsley managed the feat one season prior.
However, with the sides that finish outside the current play-off places finding themselves with an away tie in the single leg eliminator, the odds seem greatly stacked against the outsiders.
When you combine that with the fact that no team in seventh has ever won the National League play-offs. Does it simply just provide the building blocks for a stronger promotion push further down the line.
However, there are other benefits other than just a shot at promotion with League One sides receiving £2 million per position alongside increased gate revenue.
Alongside that all play-off fixtures will be broadcast live on TV with Football League clubs receiving between £10,000 and £100,000 per appearance.
The main aim of this is to keep more teams interested in climax of their season bringing in increased attendances and more TV appearances.
There are also clear financial and publicity benefits to an expanded play-off system alongside the increased chance of promotion.
While the proposal keeps fans interested for the duration of the season, realistically it just increases the heart ache at the end and is that not what we all love.