Could the season be paused

[tiger76]

An increasing number of clubs having to postpone games in recent weeks, it seems only a matter of time until the pause button is pressed, how that would work with the packed fixture list is anyone's guess, I'm just glad we're clear of the bottom 3, in case the worst comes to the worst.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/55413489

[GodIsADeeJay81]

Probably going to be needed at some point soon.

Maybe over the next couple of weeks would be ideal.

[Lowbankclaret]

I have just been reading that two Newcastle players are suffering long term effects of being ill, sounds severe post viral fatigue.

[beddie]

Possibly. The only fair way would be to shut the lot down and make a fresh start in August next year. No promotions or relegations, basically writing this season off.

[tiger76]

Possibly. The only fair way would be to shut the lot down and make a fresh start in August next year. No promotions or relegations, basically writing this season off.

That would be the nuclear option, and they'll only do that as a last resort, however given the fast moving developments over the past few days, I wouldn't rule anything out yet.

To my knowledge there's only been one PL game cancelled, that was the Villa-Newcastle match, the lower leagues are more adversely affected though, and the prospect of a fixture backlog looms large.

The problem the authorities have is there is no wriggle room to extend the season due to the Euro's, and surely the Euro's couldn't be delayed again could they, I suppose in an emergency they could push them back until 2022, as the Qatar WC isn't scheduled until December, but again that would be a last resort, and one FIFA/UEFA will want to avoid at any cost if they can.

[huw.Y.WattfromWare]

They will write off the season when Arsenal go bottom 3.
They shouldn’t. They are all in bubbles and should fulfill fixtures.
EFL might need to be scrapped. They are not in bubbles and struggling to contain the bug.

[TheFamilyCat]

Presumably the PL and EFL made decisions before the start of the season to cover different eventualities.

[NewClaret]

Wouldn’t shock me but I’d imagine they’ll do all they can to keep it going - there’s too much money at stake. And I’d hope they would because another lockdown with no football doesn’t bare thinking about. At least sport gives you something to pass the boredom.

If they did, I think it would only be because clubs started becoming infected and so games were cancelled. In that scenario, I’d rather we cancelled other competitions/internationals and crammed more games in before the Euro’s.

Footballers have to do their part in keeping very safe if they want to keep getting paid.

[Burnley1989]

I’d imagine it will from mid Jan until mid March at the current infection rate. More important things, I’d certainly not be fussed

[Vegas Claret]

They need to scrap it and go off the current form table meaning we finish 6th and qualify for Europe - seems perfectly fair and reasonable......

[ksrclaret]

2021 is going to be such a great year for Britain. I can just feel it.

[claret2018]

Yeah it’s inevitable now isn’t it. Probably sooner rather than later. I’d be surprised if the season is finished

[TheFamilyCat]

2021 is going to be such a great year for Britain. I can just feel it.

Yes, a lot of people are getting giddy about seeing the back of 2020. I think they may be in for terrible shock.

[arise_sir_charge]

Surely, with all the precautions that are in place the Premier League can continue. I doubt it’s a major cause of any spread.

I don’t see what would be gained by stopping. I understood it first time round but now they have a structure in pace to protect all involved, pausing would be for very little if any benefit in the grand scheme of things.

[ksrclaret]

Yes, a lot of people are getting giddy about seeing the back of 2020. I think they may be in for terrible shock.

Something to cling to, isn't it. But in the end, it's the hope that gets you.

Nevermind though, there are far more important things than football. I'm going to see how many rainbows I can paint and stick in my windows.

[FactualFrank]

I have just been reading that two Newcastle players are suffering long term effects of being ill, sounds severe post viral fatigue.

They call it 'Long Covid'. I'm working with someone who lives in Australia who had Covid several weeks ago and he says he's still suffering with tiredness and being out of breath even walking up stairs. He says it's improving, but slowly.

[Lowbankclaret]

They call it 'Long Covid'. I'm working with someone who lives in Australia who had Covid several weeks ago and he says he's still suffering with tiredness and being out of breath even walking up stairs. He says it's improving, but slowly.

I didn’t want to use the word Covid, my posts keep getting deleted, so I was trying to PC and stay within the new freedom of speech laws.

[tiger76]

Surely, with all the precautions that are in place the Premier League can continue. I doubt it’s a major cause of any spread.

I don’t see what would be gained by stopping. I understood it first time round but now they have a structure in pace to protect all involved, pausing would be for very little if any benefit in the grand scheme of things.

You would think the PL would be able to continue, especially with the 2 tests a week rule now coming in, the problem is going to be the Championship and other lower leagues, that's where the major issues appear to be occurring.

I think if they can they'll try and continue, needless to say all the games will be behind closed doors once more. But if that's what it takes then so be it.

The onus is on the players and everyone else involved to ensure that any risks are minimised.

[groove]

You can't really pause a football season. I know we did last season, and it ended up being completed. But if we start pausing it again, you'd have to question the judgement of those in charge who decided to go ahead in the first place.

[dsr]

You can't really pause a football season. I know we did last season, and it ended up being completed. But if we start pausing it again, you'd have to question the judgement of those in charge who decided to go ahead in the first place.

Just as presumably you would question the judgement of those who allowed the 2019-20 season to start, I suppose. Did they correctly assess the chances of a pandemic ruining the season? Clearly not.

Ultimately it must depend on the players. If the players want to earn their money, they keep playing. If the players want to go on furlough, they stop playing.

I hope the players realise that getting paid their money but not playing is not an option. (Unlike Hendrick and Lennon who didn't seem to realise that last June!!!)

[cricketfieldclarets]

Things will be much better by spring. I’m confident of that.

Perhaps a short delay may be worth considering. Personally think the euros and olympics should have been postponed indefinitely until fans return. It’s totally different to domestic football.

Vaccines should make a massive difference.

But what I can’t believe isn’t getting more focus or investment is testing. That could have a quicker, cheaper, safer and more effective outcome than vaccines anyway.

[dsr]

Things will be much better by spring. I’m confident of that.

Perhaps a short delay may be worth considering. Personally think the euros and olympics should have been postponed indefinitely until fans return. It’s totally different to domestic football.

Vaccines should make a massive difference.

But what I can’t believe isn’t getting more focus or investment is testing. That could have a quicker, cheaper, safer and more effective outcome than vaccines anyway.

The problem with a short delay is the same one as the problem with a winter break. When do they have it? There is no point having a short delsy while everyone is fit and then having another one when they catch the virus. Covid delays have been going on all season - I think Accrington had theirs on October - so they might as well let each club have their £break", if they are going to need it, as and when it happens.

I tend to agree about the Euros, though. But now the qualifiers are out of the way, the finals can in effect be postponed indefinitely, or for that matter with the ease of modern travel each match could be played at the home of one of the countries involved which must make logistics a whole lot easier.

[Steve1956]

I think come the new year we are in for another lengthy lockdown till the vaccine is sorted,I think we can write off the first 6 months of next year,football will take a break again like it has done this year,cant get my head around a lot of people thinking this is going to go away at midnight on the 31st of December 2020.

[cricketfieldclarets]

I think come the new year we are in for another lengthy lockdown till the vaccine is sorted,I think we can write off the first 6 months of next year,football will take a break again like it has done this year,cant get my head around a lot of people thinking this is going to go away at midnight on the 31st of December 2020.

I don’t think anyone does.

But providing the uptake and rollout of the vaccine to the elderly and vulnerable increases and continues spring should be far better.

The vast majority of hospitalisation are in that group. If that group are protected...

[Steve1956]

I don’t think anyone does.

But providing the uptake and rollout of the vaccine to the elderly and vulnerable increases and continues spring should be far better.

The vast majority of hospitalisation are in that group. If that group are protected...

The things I read some people dont even give covid air time...I lot of them deny it even exists!

[MACCA]

Hopefully we will get 4 points from the next 3 games, get infront of the curve of 1 point per game, and a couple clear of the relegation zone.
Least if the worst happens and they invent some sort of Duckworth Lewis after x amount of games we should be ok

[Bigvince]

Yes, a lot of people are getting giddy about seeing the back of 2020. I think they may be in for terrible shock.

I think people people know it’s gonna be a tough start to the year, but there is real optimism amongst us, that as the year progresses we will see a gradual return to normality

[Silkyskills1]

I don’t think anyone does.

But providing the uptake and rollout of the vaccine to the elderly and vulnerable increases and continues spring should be far better.

The vast majority of hospitalisation are in that group. If that group are protected...

Spring/Easter seem to be popular choices for some sort of significant improvement but listening to an eminent scientist last night he was suggesting August as a more likely time. Suppose you pays your money and takes your chance.

[claretblue]

They need to scrap it and go off the current form table meaning we finish 6th and qualify for Europe - seems perfectly fair and reasonable......

but what about the Gunners!!!*#!

[Conroysleftfoot]

I think the way things are going pausing the season could definitely happen.

[dsr]

Spring/Easter seem to be popular choices for some sort of significant improvement but listening to an eminent scientist last night he was suggesting August as a more likely time. Suppose you pays your money and takes your chance.

If there's no improvement till August, then it must mean that the vaccine doesn't work, the virus does not slow down for summer, and lockdown fails. That particular eminent scientist is surely taking far too gloomy a view.

In fact, if there is no improvement till August, there will probably never be any improvement.

[arise_sir_charge]

I honestly don't see what stopping Premier League football would achieve.

It's elite sport with low risk people, those involved can be constantly tested at the expense of their clubs/the premier league......what would stopping at actually achieve?

In march we had the complete unknown and a lack of available testing so stopping the season was sensible. Now, it's arguably among the safest working environments in the world and see no reason at all why it should stop again.

I can understand lower league and amateur football ceasing as they are not working to the same protocol as the Premier League.

[Conroysleftfoot]

I honestly don't see what stopping Premier League football would achieve.

It's elite sport with low risk people, those involved can be constantly tested at the expense of their clubs/the premier league......what would stopping at actually achieve?

In march we had the complete unknown and a lack of available testing so stopping the season was sensible. Now, it's arguably among the safest working environments in the world and see no reason at all why it should stop again.

I can understand lower league and amateur football ceasing as they are not working to the same protocol as the Premier League.

What about the FA Cup where Prem league teams play lower league opposition?

[arise_sir_charge]

What about the FA Cup where Prem league teams play lower league opposition?

Cancel it or Prem teams pay for testing for the opposition in the lead up to the game.

[TheFamilyCat]

I think people people know it’s gonna be a tough start to the year, but there is real optimism amongst us, that as the year progresses we will see a gradual return to normality

If you class 'normality' purely in terms of what businesses are allowed to reopen and not having to wear a mask, you might be right.

The state of the country, specifically the economy is going to take a hell of a lot longer to get anywhere near back to normal.

[Silkyskills1]

If there's no improvement till August, then it must mean that the vaccine doesn't work, the virus does not slow down for summer, and lockdown fails. That particular eminent scientist is surely taking far too gloomy a view.

In fact, if there is no improvement till August, there will probably never be any improvement.

I think he was saying that it would be August before everyone requiring the vaccine would have received it. Herd immunity after that but as you suggest it's such a long time away it is extremely difficult to imagine where we will be this time next year. Many/ most of us in March would have thought by now we'd be over it. I did.

[Lowbankclaret]

If there's no improvement till August, then it must mean that the vaccine doesn't work, the virus does not slow down for summer, and lockdown fails. That particular eminent scientist is surely taking far too gloomy a view.

In fact, if there is no improvement till August, there will probably never be any improvement.

The virus will mutate to the point where this current vaccine does not work. I watched the CEO of the vaccine company on Bloomberg yesterday, I think it was 16 different mutations they had already tested it with and it worked on them all. It would be a couple of weeks before testing gave an answer on does it work with this one.
He then said they could have a new vaccine resequenced within 6 weeks to deal with any mutations.

We probably need several new vaccine manufacturing plants so we can have rapid roll out of new vaccines.

[arise_sir_charge]

The virus will mutate to the point where this current vaccine does not work. I watched the CEO of the vaccine company on Bloomberg yesterday, I think it was 16 different mutations they had already tested it with and it worked on them all. It would be a couple of weeks before testing gave an answer on does it work with this one.
He then said they could have a new vaccine resequenced within 6 weeks to deal with any mutations.

We probably need several new vaccine manufacturing plants so we can have rapid roll out of new vaccines.

Honestly Lowbank you need to try and look at the occasional positive. You appear to see the absolute worst in every scenario. It must be draining to live like that.

[ClaretTony]

I was OK with this thread discussing the football situation but it is now heading the same way as other COVID threads and, as such, has now been locked.