Supposedly there are eight venues being considered for games to be played at should the PL make a decision to continue the season. Most likely neutral venues for Premier League games Brighton – Amex Stadium Southampton – St Mary’s Stadium West Ham – London Stadium Arsenal – Emirates Leicester – King Power Stadium Aston Villa – Villa Park Manchester United – Old Trafford No team to play at home. We are supposedly not on as we are a city centre ground. Not sure how that tallies with playing at the Emirates or Villa Park. If possible and if safe then I would prefer for the season to be finished. Still can’t see any problems that are insurmountable. It may delay next season etc etc but nothing that cannot be addressed. Not sure why Wembley or St George’s Park would seem to have been discounted especially the latter as it has multiple pitches and would reduce teams having to travel. Also would have thought it would be easier to police fans if all at one venue and games could likely be played more quickly.
Would have though Wembley would have been a much better bet than London Stadium - much more accessible to clubs from north of London
They should just stop the season now. The majority of games have been played so the **** teams and the good teams are easily identifiable and all prize money is awarded based on current standings with only auto promotion/champions and relegation allowed. No play offs. teams like villa who will be relegated will go legal and argue ‘what if’ but the league system is built on meritocracy so to just void the season and have no relegation or promotion will be far worse as a lot of teams have invested millions chasing promotion. this idea about neutral grounds is horse ****. The PL are desperate and seem to be putting money ahead of safety. I don’t think the government will allow the concept of neutral grounds or even the season restarting anytime soon so we will end up being back to the two options... erase the season or freeze it. either way the Mackems will have season number 3 in division 3.
Hopefully, another pie in the sky idea that will be knocked on the head. Integrity of the competition thrown out of the window. Personally I find the whole idea of playing football 'hollow' in the current circumstances.
Just sack it off, don’t give Liverpool the title and relegate Villa, there will be hell on. It’ll be a great meltdown moment.
I see clubs are now supporting neutral grounds but only if no relegation. What's the point then - apart from divvying up prize money
One way I agree. It’s a political nightmare. If they do this and one player gets infected the premier league will have a **** storm to defend. It is about money. Simple as that.
I liked someone’s idea (sorry I can’t remember who it was) but basically no relegations but 2 teams promoted. 22 teams next season. With an additional relegation spot each year. Back to normal in 2 years.
But that means Villa don’t get relegated. Or we could just relegate Villa and cancel the rest of the season for everybody else.
exactly. It’s the three ****test clubs ****ting themselves. it would be horrid for the top championship clubs too unless the prem expands next season to 22 and then relegates 5 next year.
Simplest way surely would be to promote top 2 automatic promotion places from Championship and relegate bottom two from PL
How does it favour the south if no team plays at home and all matches are behind closed doors anyway? However it all seems a bit pointless if there is going to be no relegation. That, the 4th Champions League place and Europa League places are effectively all that are being played for now. Decide them based on a points per game calculation and get on with organising next season. Sure a deal could be reached with broadcasters where they get extra games over rest of broadcast deal in return for not asking for a refund. More important now is how next season plays out. If it has to start behind closed doors then does that mean whole season has to be played out in same way. However if they know in advance that they will have to play half the season behind closed doors in neutral venues then by careful planning of fixtures based on this season positions they could ensure it would work relatively fairly.
This is the best route. Play-off placements means no promotion. Clubs must be relegated otherwise the clubs are not being treated equally and how would it be fair on the lower leagues with fewer games and so smaller revenue. PPG all leagues.
If Premier clubs insisted on finishing all fixtures on neutral venues, would it be necessary to play games at Premier grounds? Truly neutral grounds that are broadly central would include the likes of both Nottingham clubs, Lincoln, Grimsby, Hull, Mansfield, Derby, Scunthorpe. I'd vote for Grimsby as Covid would Cleethorpes aren't good bedfellows.
You mean promote the top 2 with 9 games left to play. Madness surely, even if there is a 6 points gap there are 27 left to play for. Half the Championship will feel hacked off they didn't get the chance. Finish the league whenever it's safe to so, even if it is next season, if you see what I mean. Neutral venues are fine - tough luck if you don't like it, it's the same for everyone.
End the season. Promote the top two from the Championship. Increase the PL to 22 teams. Next season, five down and three up. Same for all divisions below. Bottom two championship, top two league one. Championship will be 22 teams,. Bottom two down, three up automatically and play off. So on and so forth.
