The Premier League Thread

League matches only.

But like I say, it's a Championship rule. No idea if the PL have the same rule.

 

They basically had a full first XI two days ago too.

It was such a blatant case of chancing their arm, that not even the PL fell for it. Sounds like they dismissed Palace's request on Boxing Day in next to no time.

 

Once again, Vestergaard can't even get in a Leicester team that don't have enough defenders

 

Can only hope it also leads to a “boy who cried wolf” scenario that at least means they face more scrutiny if they try it again

I’d say the same for Brentford too as they had a full side 4 days after they were supposed to play us

Maybe Everton too for the coming Newcastle match.

Granted a couple of days can make the difference with covid isolation. But only if you have like 10 players with covid - which I don’t think any have had at once

 

He seems to be firmly 6th choice central defender for them. And Bertrand 3rd choice left back

 

I’ve just seen Norwich have a goal difference of MINUS 34. How is this possible?!

 

They're dogshit

 

And we somehow lost to them.

 

Jesus yes we did. I blanked that out.

 

Poor canaries.

 

Everton P-P Newcastle

 

Swansea match thread than Laces...

 

No surprise at all that Everton-Newcastle has gone.

Eddie has got his first wish...

 

The only reason our game has a chance is that isolation has been cut to 7 days.

 

And on Prime, McCoist has said “with Wilson and St Max injured, I’m not surprised …”
Hang on - I thought games can only be off due to covid?

 

It’s nonsense that injuries count against this limit

 

So if every single member of your squad is injured you still have to play in your book?

 

We have 9 out atm, admittedly Livramento doesn’t count so 8, that puts us very close to the limit (as 3 of our available players are keepers)

 

I think part of the rationale is that Covid's impact on player availability isn't just a direct one (eg testing positive or needing to isolate), but also an indirect one.

For example, medical facilities/equipment for dealing with injuries aren't fully available as usual. Training grounds being closed hampers preparation. More playing time is required from players without Covid, to cover for players with Covid, which makes them more susceptible to injury.

Asking a side to just get on and play when they've got six Covid cases but no other injuries or suspensions, is very different to asking a side to play when they've got six Covid cases and 10 injuries. I'm absolutely fine any form of non-availability being taken into account. But at the same time, it is important that the PL reject any postponement request where the club is clearly just trying it on. I think we all suspect, and probably correctly, that it's been more than just Palace so far.

 

Yeah it does also bring player safety into question as a player might be rushed back from an injury to play (I saw Tuchel mention this about Kante the other day)