Play Off idea is a stroke of genius.

Now prepare yourselves, this is quite a rare occasion. A praise for the FA from myself. In the past few years I haven't been particularly happy with the FA mainly due to their lack of vision in improving the English game on and off the pitch. The list of things they have done or failed to have done could fill a blog post in itself so I won't go into detail. But the FA and the Premier League suggestion of a play-off system is in my opinion the best idea they have had in the domestic game for a long time, dare I say since the invention of the Premier League itself.

This season has been one of the most competitive in the Premier League as Everton's win at home to Manchester United showed as an example. If any of the big four have a bad day they are very liable to lose points and this made me think of what happens when Chelsea, Man U, Liverpool and Arsenal have played badly in Europe. For me they can play badly in a group stage game against a lesser team and probably still win and begs the question, could the chasing pack of teams from 4th to 8th cut it in the Champions League. I very much think they can, for instance, take the Scottish powers of Celtic and Rangers, one of them often reach the group stage of Europe's primary competition and with good form stand a chance of getting into the knockouts although this is less likely these days. The introduction of the Old Firm to the English league is another idea that has been muted for many years and one of the question has always been, 'where will they finish in the table?'. I reckon with their current squads they would do well to finish 12th or higher, yet their route to the Champions League is a lot easier than Tottenham, Everton and free-spending Manchester City.

Michel Platini's tweaking of the Champions League has meant that many more league champions from different countries are now reaching the group stage which is probably right in the spirit of the competition as one for domestic champions of Europe. But apart from the larger leagues of which am I including Spain, Italy, Germany, France and to a lesser extent Holland, there aren't many champions who could cut it against that many top half Premier League teams.

Of course there is the m-word, money and especially Manchester City's big bucks. Having a four team play-off would bring in a load of money for clubs and the game as a whole which needs it at the moment, through ticket receipts and TV revenue. Speaking to some supporters of the top four clubs, a common response is that they would rather things stay as they are. My feeling though is that this is a feeling of fear, sure over the course of 38 games the top four should stay as they are, even this season if Liverpool pull their finger out. But over three games, anything could happen and this is where we now look at the Football League, which has had a promotion play-off for years, especially in the Championship/Division One (old name) the team finishing highest in the league has found it hard to actually win the play-off competition. This normally is due to the pyschological pressure of the competition, the 3rd place team is often the side that has come excruciatingly close to automatic promotion and it takes a lot to pick yourself up and win the play-off, as my club Sheffield United has experienced twice in the time I've supported them.

I went to Wembley last year and yes it was very disappointing to lose the final having come so close to 2nd place in the league, one Kevin Phillips goal for Birmingham against us on the first day of the season ended up being the difference. But the experience and atmosphere of the play-offs both at Bramall Lane and Wembley was brilliant and still a great experience. Another thing to consider as to why the play-offs work so well is that no-one seems to moan or cry if they finish 3rd in the league and don't get promotion in the end because that's the nature of the game. The other teams have as much of a chance on the day because the competition in the lower leagues is that much closer, or it was. A play-off a few years ago wouldn't have worked, your 4th place team whether it be Arsenal or Liverpool would knuckle down and win. But not now, they would have to play very well to ensure their Europe place.

As a neutral that is fascinating and I will probably get a response from certain people but the English domestic game isn't all about the big four and their domination is by far the most boring aspect of the league and needs tweaking and a play-off is the perfect idea. So don't knock it till you've tried it, yes fans of the big four will be worried but think about this, how would an Arsenal win over Spurs to get into the Champions League feel, how would a Liverpool win over Everton feel. Pretty damn fantastic is what I think. The one concern I have is that the final would be played at Wembley which I think would take something special away from the Championship play-off final. In addition, a two-legged play off would be in keeping with the normal progression in the qualifying and knockout rounds of European competition.

The Premier League needs 14 clubs to agree so the changes can be pushed through to be implemented when the TV contract needs renewing in three years time, I can see it happening and really hopes it does, come on FA, for once pull yourselves together and restore some faith from the clubs who previously wouldn't have a chance of getting into the Champions League.