Coronavirus and football.

[Ram59]

On the subject of football rather than Coronavirus...there are by my reckoning only four clubs in the top four divisions for whom things are a ‘foregone’. Liverpool, at one extreme, and Southend, Bolton and Stevenage at the other.

Things look pretty bleak for the likes of Barnsley and Luton too I know, but they’re still in with a shout.

With that in mind, would it work to return to those old fashioned play off systems of the ‘80’s (I think) when the relegation candidates of the league above played the promotion candidates from the league below?

Nothing is perfect and personally I still favour a Duckworth Lewis equivalent based on home and away form throughout the whole season, but it would reduce the number of matches still to be played if - for example - the current bottom three/four of the Premier League were to play the current top three or four of the Championship - probably behind closed doors - either on a knockout or mini league basis.

A decision will have to be made soon and there seems to be nothing but a deafening silence from the authorities.

I think that the EFL have given us an indication of where they're at. By saying that players should not return to training before the 15th of May and that they think the season can be completed in 8 weeks, they have given us an indication of an acceptable time line.

Return to training mid May, season recommence at the beginning of June and completing at the beginning of August. This means that they have accepted that next season won't be able to start until early September, at the earliest. I think that they can stick to this plan until the early part of May, before having to make other arrangements.