Playoff joy for Cats, Addicks and Wombles

While attention last week was naturally on the final day of the Premier League, we must not overlook some intriguing playoffs that have been going on at Wembley.

- By Nobby Piles

A playoff final can be a stressful experience for both club and fans alike. The very fact they are at Wembley means the club have experienced a decent season, but everything comes down to one game. A defeat feels like it has been another wasted year, so near and yet so far.

As has been experienced in the three playoff games last week, it has been joy for some supporters while others have been as sick as the proverbial parrot.

There is one more playoff final to go. Tomorrow National League teams Southend United and Oldham Athletic battle it out to see who will return to the Football League along with already promoted Barnet. More on that later.

It is understandable that playoff finals tend not to dish up quality football. The teams involved just want to get over the line and it’s the result that counts, not the performance. That does not necessarily mean the games lack drama.