The Premier League Thread

[sotonsaint]

I note that one of the three proposed solutions for ending the French top division - now that it won't be finished on the pitch - is to only include the results from the first round of fixtures between each side. Indeed, it's a method which I've seen thrown about for a little while, and does seem to be attracting greater attention. Consequently, I thought I would look into what the PL table would look like, under such a proposal. It's not as simple as simply going back and looking at the PL table after matchweek 19, for two reasons:

1. West Ham v Liverpool had been postponed in matchweek 18
2. Matchweek 19 was actually the first occasion when everyone began playing fixtures for the second time. It was matchweek 20 which saw the final occasion of fixtures being played for the first time.

By my reckoning, the PL table, after everyone has played each other once only, looks as follows:

Liverpool 55

Leicester 42
Man City 41
Chelsea 35

Man Utd 28 (GD 6)
Sheff Utd 28 (GD 4)
Spurs 27 (GD 6)

Wolves 27 (GD 4)
Newcastle 25
Palace 24 (GD -5)
Burnley 24 (GD -8)
Brighton 23 (GD -3)
Arsenal 23 (GD -4)
Everton 22
Bmouth 19 (GD -8)
West Ham 19 (GD -12)
Saints 19 (GD -16)

Villa 15 (GD -12)
Watford 15 (GD -18)
Norwich 13

So Watford get relegated, rather than Bmouth (which would be the case if the league was finished as it is, or under a flat points-per-game average). But interestingly, that would be the only material change. The caveat to me saying this is that all three EL places get awarded based on league positions, and Man City's appeal doesn't get overturned - two things which combine to mean 8th place gets EL football. Although the ordering of Wolves, Sheff Utd and Spurs between 6th and 8th is different above, as compared to the current table (or a flat points-per-game average), all three teams would still be EL. And in both tables, Man Utd in 5th become the benefactor of Man City missing out

Of course many of us will remember that in gameweek 18, we beat Villa. Even in normal circumstances I can remember walking out of Villa Park thinking that was a huge win. But if the season was to be decided as above, suddenly in becomes a bigger win than we ever could have imagined.

PS. I am not meaning to suggest one way or the other as to whether concluding the season in this fashion is the way to go, if events cannot be finished on the pitch. Every single solution has negative outcomes, and is up for debate. I merely thought I would have a look into what this particular outcome looks like - particularly when I was in the knowledge that our successful run of resulted over the December and January would largely be excluded in this scenario. I personally continue to remain of the view that football is decided on the pitch, not in offices or the ballot box. Hence my preference is for the season to be cancelled.

**** me someone grab me an aspirin !

 

[StJabbo1]

I note that one of the three proposed solutions for ending the French top division - now that it won't be finished on the pitch - is to only include the results from the first round of fixtures between each side. Indeed, it's a method which I've seen thrown about for a little while, and does seem to be attracting greater attention. Consequently, I thought I would look into what the PL table would look like, under such a proposal. It's not as simple as simply going back and looking at the PL table after matchweek 19, for two reasons:

1. West Ham v Liverpool had been postponed in matchweek 18
2. Matchweek 19 was actually the first occasion when everyone began playing fixtures for the second time. It was matchweek 20 which saw the final occasion of fixtures being played for the first time.

By my reckoning, the PL table, after everyone has played each other once only, looks as follows:

Liverpool 55

Leicester 42
Man City 41
Chelsea 35

Man Utd 28 (GD 6)
Sheff Utd 28 (GD 4)
Spurs 27 (GD 6)

Wolves 27 (GD 4)
Newcastle 25
Palace 24 (GD -5)
Burnley 24 (GD -8)
Brighton 23 (GD -3)
Arsenal 23 (GD -4)
Everton 22
Bmouth 19 (GD -8)
West Ham 19 (GD -12)
Saints 19 (GD -16)

Villa 15 (GD -12)
Watford 15 (GD -18)
Norwich 13

So Watford get relegated, rather than Bmouth (which would be the case if the league was finished as it is, or under a flat points-per-game average). But interestingly, that would be the only material change. The caveat to me saying this is that all three EL places get awarded based on league positions, and Man City's appeal doesn't get overturned - two things which combine to mean 8th place gets EL football. Although the ordering of Wolves, Sheff Utd and Spurs between 6th and 8th is different above, as compared to the current table (or a flat points-per-game average), all three teams would still be EL. And in both tables, Man Utd in 5th become the benefactor of Man City missing out

Of course many of us will remember that in gameweek 18, we beat Villa. Even in normal circumstances I can remember walking out of Villa Park thinking that was a huge win. But if the season was to be decided as above, suddenly in becomes a bigger win than we ever could have imagined.

PS. I am not meaning to suggest one way or the other as to whether concluding the season in this fashion is the way to go, if events cannot be finished on the pitch. Every single solution has negative outcomes, and is up for debate. I merely thought I would have a look into what this particular outcome looks like - particularly when I was in the knowledge that our successful run of resulted over the December and January would largely be excluded in this scenario. I personally continue to remain of the view that football is decided on the pitch, not in offices or the ballot box. Hence my preference is for the season to be cancelled.

Above sorted my insomnia. If it's not to be played out Pools Panel way to go. How about a predictor thread for the PL games to the end of the season?

 

[RSS]

Interesting idea, but all the late great escapes that have happened through the years wouldn't have happened if you take into account a method like that. I wonder how many times we would have been relegated. We're so close to being safe now, and yet under that method we just about scrape over the line.

Theres only two fair methods imo

Finishing the season
or
Cancelling the season

Given that finishing the season in the current state of affairs would be ridiculous you have to either cancel it or cancel next season and finish this season when it is actually safe to do so. But then you have all the problems with players contracts etc. the further back finishing this season gets pushed.

The simplest thing, and fairest thing, and most sensible thing to do is cancel this season. The only reason this is still up for debate is money.

 

[sotonsaint]

Interesting idea, but all the late great escapes that have happened through the years wouldn't have happened if you take into account a method like that. I wonder how many times we would have been relegated. We're so close to being safe now, and yet under that method we just about scrape over the line.

Theres only two fair methods imo

Finishing the season
or
Cancelling the season

Given that finishing the season in the current state of affairs would be ridiculous you have to either cancel it or cancel next season and finish this season when it is actually safe to do so. But then you have all the problems with players contracts etc. the further back finishing this season gets pushed.

The simplest thing, and fairest thing, and most sensible thing to do is cancel this season. The only reason this is still up for debate is money.

 

[st_brendy]

Interesting idea, but all the late great escapes that have happened through the years wouldn't have happened if you take into account a method like that. I wonder how many times we would have been relegated. We're so close to being safe now, and yet under that method we just about scrape over the line.

Theres only two fair methods imo

Finishing the season
or
Cancelling the season

Given that finishing the season in the current state of affairs would be ridiculous you have to either cancel it or cancel next season and finish this season when it is actually safe to do so. But then you have all the problems with players contracts etc. the further back finishing this season gets pushed.

The simplest thing, and fairest thing, and most sensible thing to do is cancel this season. The only reason this is still up for debate is money.

I'd even go further than that, by restricting the first option to "finishing the season under normal conditions".

Rushing through games in a short space of time, and the impact that has on injuries, fitness and planning. Restrictions on training. Playing at neutral grounds. Having five substitutes. And whatever else is being suggested. That is all a fudge. Finishing the season for the sake it. Either finish it under the same conditions as have applied to the season to-date (which could be many, many moths away), or cancel it. As I say, I'm in the latter camp.

Starting a brand new season in different circumstances is one thing: at least everyone is on a level playing field. But introducing those changes mid-season?...

 

[sotonsaint]

I j

I'd even go further than that, by restricting the first option to "finishing the season under normal conditions".

Rushing through games in a short space of time, and the impact that has on injuries, fitness and planning. Restrictions on training. Playing at neutral grounds. Having five substitutes. And whatever else is being suggested. That is all a fudge. Finishing the season for the sake it. Either finish it under the same conditions as have applied to the season to-date (which could be many, many moths away), or cancel it. As I say, I'm in the latter camp.

Starting a brand new season in different circumstances is one thing: at least everyone is on a level playing field. But introducing those changes mid-season?...

I'd expect a few law suits filed if the PL start changing laws/rules etc, especially from clubs down the bottom.

 

[Saintmagic]

Okocha number 1, not bothered past that point

 

[Paddy Podped]

I'd even go further than that, by restricting the first option to "finishing the season under normal conditions".

Rushing through games in a short space of time, and the impact that has on injuries, fitness and planning. Restrictions on training. Playing at neutral grounds. Having five substitutes. And whatever else is being suggested. That is all a fudge. Finishing the season for the sake it. Either finish it under the same conditions as have applied to the season to-date (which could be many, many moths away), or cancel it. As I say, I'm in the latter camp.

Starting a brand new season in different circumstances is one thing: at least everyone is on a level playing field. But introducing those changes mid-season?...

Totally agree

If they restart the season, then 3 teams are getting relegated.

And if any can argue that the change in procedure had an impact on them being relegated, then things are going to turn very sour very quickly.
E.g. Troy Deeney gets injured for 4 weeks. Normal circumstances that would be maybe 3 or 4 games missed. New circumstances could be 8 games missed? Massive impact on Watford.


But ultimately do Sky etc. care what happens to Brighton/Watford/Bounrmeouth/Villa/Norwich? Probably not particularly.

 

[San Tejón]

Totally agree

If they restart the season, then 3 teams are getting relegated.

And if any can argue that the change in procedure had an impact on them being relegated, then things are going to turn very sour very quickly.
E.g. Troy Deeney gets injured for 4 weeks. Normal circumstances that would be maybe 3 or 4 games missed. New circumstances could be 8 games missed? Massive impact on Watford.


But ultimately do Sky etc. care what happens to Brighton/Watford/Bounrmeouth/Villa/Norwich? Probably not particularly.

And then there is the knock on, into the new season.
Clubs with fewer key players, could lose all of them in the few games played over a short period of time, then find themselves rooted to the foot of the table in the next season.

 

[sotonsaint]

Part me of wants them to finish this season and it to royally **** up beyond recognition.

I'd happily sit back and watch the carnage unfold with a double brandy and cigar.

 

[fatletiss]

Let’s volunteer for relegation. Tell them to feck off and give us our game back.

My distaste towards football is growing with every moment of desperate grasping of those bank notes.

 

[St. Luigi Scrosoppi]

Eddie Hearn the sports promoter was on 5 live this morning and by comparison with football pundits he talked a great deal of sense. He should be compulsory listing for the PL and the EFL. To be honest he puts their money grubbing to shame.

If you use this link he comes on at a few seconds after 1.55:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m000hpq3

I recommend you listen to his plain simple common sense.

 

[It'sOnlyAGame]

The Premier League pushing to play out the season in the current situation has irritated me enough to send a complaint.
I wouldn't usually bother, particularly about football matters, but this has been niggling away to the point where I had to get it off my chest. We all know they are driven by money but the shameless way they have approached what should be a delicate undertaking shows no respect at all.

I don't really expect anything to come from the complaint but hopefully, it won't be the only one they have received. I think they'll acknowledge it followed by a fob off answer.

 

[sotonsaint]

Eddie Hearn the sports promoter was on 5 live this morning and by comparison with football pundits he talked a great deal of sense. He should be compulsory listing for the PL and the EFL. To be honest he puts their money grubbing to shame.

If you use this link he comes on at a few seconds after 1.55:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m000hpq3

I recommend you listen to his plain simple common sense.

Eddie " I love a pound note " Hearn.

 

[St. Luigi Scrosoppi]

Eddie " I love a pound note " Hearn.

Did you listen to him?

 

[sotonsaint]

Did you listen to him?

Have to sign in , I dont have it.

 

[thereisonlyoneno7]

I think the fairest way to finish the season is a combination of rock, paper, scissors and a coin toss.

Th only fair way. You could also play that out at the ground it was meant to without the need for a neutral venue. Could also do that whilst social distancing. Hell, could even do that from home with a video link.

.....'TIOON7, solutions not problems'

 

[Libby]

Sergio Aguero: Players 'scared' about Premier League return - https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/52493894

 

[thereisonlyoneno7]

He has a point though. I'm not 'sacred' about going out, but how many of us on here are entirely comfortable about close contact with strangers?

For 6 weeks or so my only expeditions out of the house have been for dog walks and one trip to B&Q where you wait in the car park they bring your pre-ordered stuff on a trolley, you get out of the car and you then pack it away.

The thought of playing a close contact sport is far from my mind. The Premier League have to remember that the players are humans too, not commodities and have the same fears as all of us.

 

[fatletiss]

I have been given a nod that the Premier League is going to be played at St George’s Park in a World Cup style, behind closed doors, but on television. teams will stay in hotels in the vicinity and use local Pro clubs training facilities to train. They will stay there away from family/friends in isolation until the completion. Players, staff etc will be tested. 2/3 games will be played a day and streamed live.

Fecking joke

I have had this from someone who knows someone who works logistics for football. It may be bollocks yet. I hope so.


Come on Saints, refuse to play, take relegation and **** the PL off