Would it? Have even a top 7 side ever had a run as bad as that in the space of 9 games? I'm not saying we should just hand it to them but if/when the league is resumed there isn't a snowball in hells chance of them blowing it.Yeah it must be worse odds than Leicester winning the league.
There is no way it can finish as normal now. There are 10 games left and training grounds are all closed, players will need at least a week of conditioning to get back to match readiness. That's 6 weeks at a minimum and if the league isn't restarted by early May it doesn't leave time for a summer break and pre-season - both of which are absolutely necessary.
I agree that there isn't a chance of them losing it. It's super super crazy odds of that happening. Maybe my wording was wrong but I'm of the same opinion that it's virtually impossible for them to throw the title away if it were to be resume. Virtually.Would it? Have even a top 7 side ever had a run as bad as that in the space of 9 games? I'm not saying we should just hand it to them but if/when the league is resumed there isn't a snowball in hells chance of them blowing it.
It made me laugh that McNulty was put forward as a neutral tooNot a great counter example, McNulty is a rabid Liverpool fan. Used to remember his cheerleading column on BBC sport website.
That's two statements in 3 days where they've basically said the same thing.
"We'll try and finish it innit"
Mixed with loads of whacko solutions in the press and scouse mafia soundbites.
Another 2-3 months of this ahead.
Pretty sure they said something similar 3 days ago?
Seems to me they're just trying to stay relevant, at the beginning of this I was wondering what they'd come up with, but now it's just mundane crap being spoken.
The premier league/clubs are not coming out of this looking good at all.
So you would take the League Cup off City then?
It made me laugh that McNulty was put forward as a neutral too
It smacks of a charm offensive to fans and the money men to leave everyone in no uncertain terms about how they've given every chance to play out the season.
There's been a COVID break and if the previous season finishes in late July/early August, why the need for a pre-season?There is no way it can finish as normal now. There are 10 games left and training grounds are all closed, players will need at least a week of conditioning to get back to match readiness. That's 6 weeks at a minimum and if the league isn't restarted by early May it doesn't leave time for a summer break and pre-season - both of which are absolutely necessary.
Ignoring the fact that it would be great to deny the Scousers the title, I'm sure most fans would rather have football on TV than no football at all?I also hate the "play in China" or "play BCD" angle I keep hearing about, it's like they don't even recognise that fans are a huge part of the sport, even if gate receipts are not as important as they once were.
Fans are basically being marginalised and if they keep this up I'm guessing a fair few fans will start to have their eyes opened and begin to revolt.
Ignoring the fact that it would be great to deny the Scousers the title, I'm sure most fans would rather have football on TV than no football at all?
Ignoring the fact that it would be great to deny the Scousers the title, I'm sure most fans would rather have football on TV than no football at all?
Ridiculous comment!
Are Liverpool the Chinese Champions if it happens?
Liverpool FC would take any opportunities to suck their own dick.I’d rather watch classic matches than crappy BCD soulless crap matches. I don’t care if United get UCL this season, I don’t care who gets relegated but I don’t want to see Liverpool pick up their sympathy title for the sake of it just because they’re crying about it. Especially after their reckless and selfish decision to invite Atletico fans over when the virus had begun kicking off in Madrid.
There's been a COVID break and if the previous season finishes in late July/early August, why the need for a pre-season?
Would they not wait until its safe to play and finish this season and cancel the following season?
Could be feb next year before see football.
Government will block it, guaranteed, stop doing this to yourself, it's over, deal with it.Saturday 3pm blackout lifted for rest of season
Martyn Ziegler, Chief Sports Reporter
Friday April 03 2020, 7.00pm, The Times
The Saturday 3pm blackout has been lifted for the rest of the season to allow any matches played at that time to be screened live on television, it can be revealed.
The move is a strong indication that the footballing authorities are preparing plans to play matches behind closed doors if necessary in order to get the season completed after the postponements of games due to the coronavirus crisis.
The lifting of the blackout has been confirmed by Uefa after requests from the English and Scottish FAs.
Premier League matches kicking off at 3pm on Saturdays would now be able to be shown by broadcasters Sky and BT Sport, as well as FA Cup games by rights holders the BBC and BT Sport.
All matches involving the 72 EFL clubs could also be made available via the ifollow service which is usually blocked on Saturdays.
The blackout has been in force since the 1950s to protect attendances at matches and encourage amateur players to take part in games on Saturday afternoons.
The rule is covered by article 8 of Uefa’s regulations but only applies to those countries which request it — and now only England, Scotland and Montenegro do so.
The Uefa regulation was updated on Friday and says: “Taking into account the current exceptional circumstances, Uefa has lifted the ‘blocked hours’ protection granted to the England and Scotland for the remainder of the 2019-20 season football season, following requests from the relevant national associations as a result of measures taken in relation to the Covid-19 pandemic.”
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/saturday-3pm-blackout-lifted-for-rest-of-season-0c3t7z7hk
But you think playing the rest of this season any time soon is plausible ?Is by far the most sensible option. The idea of trying to start a potentially 60 game plus season in the current climate is ridiculous. If a second wave of Covid 19 flares up you would have wasted time starting a new season to again have to abandon it. Anybody advocating for starting a new season in 2020 hasn't grasped the realistic length of time it will take for things to be completely back to normal.
Out of interest, did betting companies pay out on Liverpool winning the league already? What happens with all that stuff?
But you think playing the rest of this season any time soon is plausible ?
Is by far the most sensible option. The idea of trying to start a potentially 60 game plus season in the current climate is ridiculous. If a second wave of Covid 19 flares up you would have wasted time starting a new season to again have to abandon it. Anybody advocating for starting a new season in 2020 hasn't grasped the realistic length of time it will take for things to be completely back to normal.
But you think playing the rest of this season any time soon is plausible ?
Martin Samuel is a marmite journalist. Calling out the lack of pay cuts in football atm. He also offered some interesting views on playing behind closed doors today which were interesting (not saying he's right). Thought I'd list some for people to consider:
"Really? Police? Without a crowd there are thousands of football played across the country each weekend that do not require police presence. Trust both teams and benchs to behave."
Him comparing professional football with Sunday league down at the local field is pretty hilarious and puzzlingIf he actually wrote/said that then he's an imbecil, does he think a situation like Paris v Dortmund wont arise if/when Liverpool win the league?
Or if Sheffield United actually get top four?
Or if a team survives relegation on the final day?
Football journalism has never been great, but to completely dismiss the fact police presence will always be needed during football games is just plain idiotic.
Him comparing professional football with Sunday league down at the local field is pretty hilarious and puzzling