04 May 2020 11:43:36
I am reading of opposition to an expanded Premier League by some of the top six clubs, on the basis of too many fixtures. Surely this is easily solvable with the cancellation of either (or both) of the FA and/ or Carabao Cup. I cannot see where all the bloody mindedness comes from on this resumption? topic. After all this time there surely are no new Plans on the table, for goodness sake, choose one and let's get on with it. Certainly after this weeks back to work anouncement from Boris there will be even less room for fudging. I feel that whatever decision is made there will be compromises and with that room for legal challenges. Please, the powers that be, grow some, and let's get on with it.

1.) 04 May 2020
04 May 2020 12:35:36
I also read today that the bottom 6 are against the idea of neutral venues unless ridiculously there is no relegation.

integrity of football just sunk to a new low .

2.) 04 May 2020
04 May 2020 12:45:20
There is what I think is a simple solution to the Neutral ground arguement from the bottom 6, simple use the bottopm 10 teams grounds as the neutral venues and let them play their remaining home fixtures there, this eliminates the argument about "home advantage" for them and allows for relegation etc The title is all but decided so that argument is moot.
The 1 caveat I would impose on these teams is they are responsible for security and policing costs should fans chose to "turn up" to games.

{Ed001's Note - the issue seems to be more about the FA's desire to make money from this by charging the teams to play at Wembley or St George's Park. I believe that is the thing that is irritating a lot of people.}

3.) 04 May 2020
04 May 2020 22:38:40
I honestly don’t believe that much can be taken from “home advantage”. These are Pros earning ridiculous money now, so the old time add age of shrinking under pressure should be void.
As for the stance of the bottom six, well, it’s disgusting. “If it was us”, there would be uproar! But at this stage of a season, to demand no relegation, is just pathetic.

{Ed001's Note - actually there is a proven advantage in playing at home, when a team is used to the environment there. It is not about the crowd really as such, it is little things like aiming passes. A player gets used to the dimensions and knowing (subconciously) how hard to hit a ball to reach a certain point from where he is. Stadiums have features that act as a guide to players so they can get their bearings quickly when playing a pass or judging the flight of a ball.

There is genuinely something in the moans of the bottom 6, but, and it is a big but, the world has changed and football has to adapt to the circumstances it faces right now. If that means the games will have to be played at a neutral venue with no crowds, then people will just have to get on with it until circumstances change. No one wants to play in empty stadiums but most people don't want to work dead end jobs for minimum wage and yet many people have to.

This has shown that there is a clear need to take these kind of decisions out of the hands of clubs and put them in the hands of an independent body who sets the rules. Then the clubs will just have to like it or lump it. There is no solution that works for everyone so someone has to make an unpopular decision. I have no idea what that decision should be, but someone has to step up and sort this all out and stop all the pointless bickering between clubs.}