Verdict on smaller Premier League is overwhelming as safe standing backed

The post-Covid outlook remains largely uncertain for so many football clubs operating outside of the Premier League riches.

Those lower down the ladder, particularly in Leagues One and Two, have been beset by a huge loss of income due to the pandemic.

Thankfully crowds are back at full capacity but for some clubs, they are only just starting to claw back much-needed money. This was one of the big issues we wanted to get supporters' views on during our recent survey on the state of football.

We ran a survey asking supporters to give their honest views on a number of big issues - and thousands of you responded.

Is the EFL fit for purpose? Let us know in the comment section below

Rick Parry, chairman of the EFL

One of the questions asked: Are the EFL doing a good job of protecting Championship, League One and League Two clubs?

Of the responses, 40 per cent of those said that they do not feel the EFL is doing enough to protect its member clubs.

In what were pretty damning results, only 16.5 per cent of respondents said that they do feel the EFL is doing a good job.

The rest believe the fault should lie with clubs directly, or that they were unsure.

In September, Rick Parry, the EFL's chairman, made suggestions for the Premier League to give up £750million in order to bridge the financial gulf between the two organisations.

Parry's plan would see up to 25 per cent of the Premier League's revenue filtered down the divisions, by pooling together TV rights for sale for both the Premier League and EFL.

Another prominent issue in football right now is safe standing.

Standing hasn't been allowed in the Premier League since all-seater stadiums were made compulsory in 1994. But five clubs in the top flight, as well as Championship side Cardiff, have joined a pilot scheme to test the protocols early next year.

Designated standing areas are expected to be introduced for both home and away fans after some clubs implemented rails during the summer.

Our survey asked if fans would be in support of safe standing and almost two-thirds (64 per cent) said they would be.

Cardiff will get to test "safe standing" when they host Blackburn in a Championship clash on January 15.

Safe-standing rail seats at Chelsea's Stamford Bridge ground

Another issue we quizzed supporters on was the mooted idea of downsizing the Premier League, as per the Project Big Picture proposals.

That would see the top flight go from its current look of 20 clubs down to 18.

However, it seems there is little appetite for this. Of those who responded, 87 per cent said they would be against such plans.