[Dude]

The format of top teams from each group play-off against the 8th place team has one flaw: the three group draw.

The league needs to go back to having a 4th and 5th division, if required. The sooner, the better.

This year, for example, it could be argued that the two top teams from 2A and 2B could compete in div. 1, but as it stands now, only two of the four will have a shot at promotion. In div 2C, as things stand right now, only Celtic look capable of competing in Div. 1. Ultimately, we need a 2nd division with 10 strong teams. This will in turn improve the 1st division, because teams comming up will be better prepared. As it is right now, half our games are tight, and the other half are blow-outs. We need more parity, and an overall higher quality.

Essentially, all this needs is a 3 year plan w/ strict guidelines. Drop 2nd down to 16 next year, then 14, then 10. Take the lower performers from each group this year, and demote them to 3rd, and demote as many as you need to in 3rd to a 4th division. Now that Prem and 1st are sorted out, it's time to sort out the rest.

A cross over league play format will at least give teams a fairer shot. Yes, more games (21 if there are 16 teams), but then, you'll have a better promotion battle. The year you play 21 games, you could promote strictly on standings, and skip the play-off format. The next year, with 14 teams and a cross-over format, you'd be back down to 18 teams, and back to play-offs. Finally, with ten teams to manage, there is one group, and the format is stronger, and simplified.