09 May 2020 08:50:44
Despite everyone's misgivings football is desperate and destined to return at some stage. A lot of eyes will be turned to the Bundesliga and how they proceed but we cannot take that as being a blueprint for our return as conditions differ country to country and what works for 1 won't necessarily work for another.
However I think for the " integrity " of the game to be maintained it should return in exactly the same format as before the lockdown the possible and sensible exception being the ability to use 5 subs at specific times throughout the match.
This means promotion and relegation and if that means we go down at least its done fairly. Talks of bullying clubs into accepting proposals or face consequences and scrapping relegation etc will just make it a sterile product and just fan the flames of " its just about the money ".
Neutral grounds should be a no go also as home and away is part of the league rules. It may not even make a difference with no fans allowed anyway but even taking into consideration people travelling to the stadiums surely the surroundings of any grounds could be cordoned off and patrolled, if that's acceptable to the police required to handle such things.
Furthermore if game times were staggered and were made available on free to air channels ie BBC, ITV , although not the same as attending may encourage people to stay at home and watch.
Keep the playing field equal for everyone not dictated by the big hitters.
We may be lifted by the return of football, some may not give a stuff, but if it is to return let's keep it as close to normal as possible and only then will the "integrity " of the game be maintained, whatever that is anymore.
Stay safe everyone and UTV.
09 May 2020 10:53:48
Everything in your post I agree with.
We must finish the season somehow.
The neutral ground issue is a joke in my opinion.
Wonder if any of the top 6 were in bottom 6 would they would still vote for playing on neutral ground? .
But at this moment with still 500 plus a day still losing lives how can you bring football back .
But the fa and premiership are only interested in money and they will do everything in there power to get players playing!
09 May 2020 11:04:44
I sense a bit of a change in stance Moose but I must admit if games were to resume, I would be as glued to the box as anybody else, I must admit I’ve missed it.
However, I totally agree with Mainbob in that football shouldn’t return until it’s as near to 100% safe as possible.
I agree with both of you about the neutral grounds issue, but frankly why anybody would want to stand outside a stadium while it’s being played, when you could be watching the game live on the box, is beyond me.
09 May 2020 11:13:30
Yes mark I've had a long hard look at myself in the mirror 😂😂 just re examined the data and bowed to the eventuality that the governing bodies won't be happy until it returns and just pointing out what I consider fair for all when it does . Whether it is physically safe or not is a completely different matter and my thoughts towards that haven't changed mate . ps has Dave passed on my email address?
09 May 2020 11:17:18
Mark and moose there are going to be some very strange ideas still to come from the fa and premiership tosses.
I miss the game terribly but not at the expense of so many people still dying at a large rate.
Until that death rate drop massively we should not see the game unfortunately. ,
But they are determined to bring it back even though the players and all the people in the stadium which I'm told could be 200+ people in every game involved.
Total madness in my opinion.
09 May 2020 11:56:24
The sticking point will be the social distancing thing, I think Bob. This will most probably apply for some time after the lockdown is relaxed. The thing is how can you say to the population you should keep a 2 mètre gap, when working/ socializing and allow football matches to take place.
Perhaps players will have to wear masks to get around this.
No Moose, no e-mail address yet mate.
09 May 2020 12:29:49
Mark perhaps a head visor to the floor is next on the agenda
To protect the whole bodyðŸ˜ðŸ˜.
09 May 2020 12:47:16
How about playing in spaces suits? Or diving suits? Mind you most of our players look like they've been playing in lead lined boots all season 😂😂 but seriously safety is paramount and the same rules should apply to all not bent to suit individuals.
09 May 2020 13:15:21
Whatever happens with this season let's all hope it's a sensible decision from the powers at be,
If villa go down which I do think we will it will be of our own making.
If your team concedes 2 goals every game you will find it very hard to survive unless you outscore the other team.
In this case we are also struggling to do.
When you consider we have one of the best c/ backs in premiership history yet he is making no difference to our silly defending all season.
I said last night I predicted we would go down on goal difference and nothing has changed my mind on that.
My god just realised that is the first comment I have made on our playing this season for over 3 months! .
09 May 2020 13:16:54
How about Bernard, centre back, Maive middle of the park
( chance would be a fine thing), and Dolores up top,
(yes pleaseðŸ˜), no risk of spreading the virus and we would be invincible, 😂😂😂.
09 May 2020 13:40:54
Backbone is sadly missing from this team.
The only game I thought we defended better was the 1-1away to Leicester in caraboo cup.
If we defended like that we would not be where we are now.
Shambolic is a word I would class our defending. all season.
09 May 2020 14:25:18
I think Dolores up top is quite tasty Mark 😉mind you not bad at the back either 😠and yes mainbob our defending has been abysmal and chopping and changing formations hasn't helped but its simple, your best defenders mark the best attackers not having a flaky winger marking a 6ft 3 centre half it's not rocket science so hopefully during the enforced break we've had time to reset the tactics, mind you a midfield that can actually track a players runs and not just shrug their shoulders would help too.
09 May 2020 14:33:37
Ps Mark, Dave has put my email address on for you now and mainbob if you want to get in touch with Dave and exchange email addresses feel free to do so mate ðŸ‘.