You could argue that the travelling May be a slight disadvantage to us. However we would have had the travelling to do anyways. No team would be using there own stadium. Still think it’s silly to finish the season in this manner.
less travelling I would presume we all know how bad we are on our travels finish the season how it stands now, the bottom 3 are at the bottom for a reason, the top is top for a reason (25 pts ahead) it's no ones fault that the season is finished (China ) if they need to decide the European places, let those in the positions 2-7 play among themselves to decide who finishes where (less games, less risk)
Suppose you could also do that for say the bottom 4 teams in the premier. 17 v 20 and 18 v 19. The two that lose go down.
If there’s some games being played then all games need to be played otherwise you are guaranteed litigation from those being relegated.
So nothing significant. To be honest I don't know why they are bothering to have these in stadiums, which presumably requires more people to be involved. I would just play them all at a few training venues in the Midlands, including National Football Centre, which has 12 suitable pitches. It could be like Sunday morning football.
It's a ****ty situation and the only way I can see it being resolved without massive massive blow out is to just end the season as it is for all leagues. Nobody comes up, nobody comes down and nobody is crowned champion. The teams in the european spots get the european places with the exception of Citeh. City won the Carabo cup but obviously aren't allowed in Europe so that opens up a spot further down. The FA cup should be scrapped which opens up another spot. 5th place is currently Man Utd but I would expect them to be promoted to the Champions League due to CIty (currently) 2nd not being allowed which mean Liverpool, Leicester, Chelsea and Man Utd get the CL spots along with Wolves, Sheff Utd and Spurs getting the EL spots. It's the only way to do it unless they are going to do the estimated points per team for the rest of the season to determine a predicted finishing order and then applying the above but that has more potential to open up a can of worms as it's based on what if's rather than what we know now in terms of how the table is. Means we're stuck with Villa for another year but Grealish will most likely be off so they'll be even more ****ed than they were this season so will most likely go down next season anyways. On the plus side the Bin Dippers wait for a title goes on :-D
who are they going to litigate against if it is the government who says games cannot be played I see Brighton are up for playing the games as long as there are no relegation places considering who they have to play (5 of the top 6) you can see the reason why they are saying this
If the Government says no games then there are no games at all. Different ball game. The point I was making was if the Government said it was safe to play then all games would have to be played not just some otherwise those relegated would likely litigate. The litigation would then be against the PL. For me its an all or nothing scenario.
If there is no relegation/promotions/champions then there is **** all point in taking the risk to anyone involved in the process of putting games on behind closed doors. They either play to a finish and normal protocol applies (3 down, 3 up etc) or they write it off and we start again next season....whenever that may be. That way everyone knows what's happening and people can start planning for it. Transfer window opens to start the flow of cash around clubs etc etc.
Agreed - this was only on the basis of finishing games at neutral grounds, not as things stand - but this way avoids any hassle with extra games due to play-off etc
I have been thinking about this. Any scenario other than cancelling the league and no relegation's/promotions would be a significant risk to everyone concerned and there is no way of knowing who could potentially put anyone in danger. SURELY THE HEALTH AND SAFETY OF EVERYONE COMES FIRST! Whether its at neutral venues, all at the same place or behind closed doors it makes no difference. The volume of people required to get 22 + fit footballers on a pitch is significant and totally against all principles of stay at home etc. I then bring the problem of legal action because of: 1.) Infection of the virus. Even if one person got it everyone associated would be worried. Potential legal action. 2.) Would you want to play? I wouldn't and if a player refuses then he is in breach of contract. Potential legal action. 3.) Actual vs covid fixtures differences in results. The difference to normal match days and playing the games under the circumstances we are currently in differ significantly and would not be an actual representation of what could have happened in normal circumstances. Thus any team felt hard done by would be in a position of anger and thus. Potential legal action. 4.) I could go on but legal ****ing action everywhere. I cannot see how we can play any games until the government say otherwise. There is just to much risk!
you have the 22 players, but then you have another 10 subs, Managers, Assistant managers, Doctors, Medical crew, Ambulance on standby, at least 5 Match day officials, security and police, TV crews, reporters maybe the list is growing
I don’t think it is proposed that any games take place until the Government has stated that it is safe to do so. The risk of infection will exist for some time yet and I don’t know if the actual source of infection is able to be established. Players will probably be given the ability to withdraw and given their values I doubt any will be “sacked” I don’t follow the arguement that “things” won’t be “normal” and therefore the games shouldn’t take place. There are so many variables in any event and “things” aren’t going to be “normal” for quite some time so does that mean we shouldn’t have any football played until “things” are back to “normal” whatever that is. All the PL have to do is meet, discuss and agree according to it’s rules on how to proceed and ensure that the process in reaching their decision is fair and that the decision is as reasonable as is possible taking into account all factors and all opinions. But taking into account does not mean slavishly following everybody’s opinions as that would be plain impossible. The decision may be to cancel, it may be to play on but with so much money at stake there is going to be litigation from those who lose out. I can’t think of any choice where I can’t at the same time think of a “loser” or “losers” including just cancelling the season.
We can't run and hide from this thing forever. I know for a fact that those at the top of the Bank of England say the fallout from this continued hiding - to peoples livelihood, welfare, health and the economy - will be far greater than (and I'm paraphrasing) than the impact of increased deaths amongst the sick and elderly. Yes, "normal" people have died. But it's an incredibly small number/percentage and significantly more "normal" people are dying from cancer than this ****ing virus. The statistics have it something like 97% of all deaths have been amongst the elderly and those with underlying conditions. But rather than just put down rules for the few, the many have to suffer. I'm in a better position than most but there's so many problems being created by fear and a sheer lack of balls & honesty.
Much as I'd like Norwich to stay up, you cannot seriously be advocating a play off - without precedent - which could result in Watford being relegated at their expense? Or Leicester losing thier Champions League place to SheffUtd after finishing with ten points and 25 goals more?
Games behind closed doors making little sense - and no sense at all if relegation is off the agenda. You cannot promote 3 clubs (Fulham being the third) if there are no play-offs. You cannot punish the EFL by reducing their income through 2 fewer games - and you should not promote clubs and not relegate in their stead. I don't believe that you can simply void a season 70% completed and pretend it never happened. So the only 2 options are to wait until all clubs can complete their fixtures however long it takes OR end the season now with PPG. 2 up, 2 down. Cups cancelled and no more games until we can start a new season.
