[Football] Premier League / Football League attempts to finish the season

[crodonilson]

Understand what. That testing in this country has been wholly inadequate so far ? I think we all understand that easy enough.

What needs to be taken into account is that for EPL football to be able start up again behind closed doors, in some kind of bio-dome neutral venue zone, would take a vast amount of regular testing to get this season completed. Squads, managers, officials, drivers, hotel workers, stadium staff, broadcasters, all quarantined inside this enormous "Premier League" bubble somewhere for (lets say) 2 months+ to get this season done ? Personally I'd find that obscene if NHS and health workers aren't getting that level of testing.

I just don't see it as being viable or realistic. And as mentioned, as soon as someone goes down with this thing, be it a player or someone inside this notional biodome, it'll all grind to a halt again anyway. So whats the point.

As it stands, like everyone else, football is nowhere near being beyond the reach of this virus, so the concept of it coming back in June/July is patently bollocks. Its only because of the vast amount of £££ involved that this delusion of the EPL continues. One by one we're seeing countries in Europe conceding to reality now.

Frankly the longer this goes on, the more the Premier League is starting to look like Chemical Ali, except with Covid-19 floating around in the background instead of US tanks.

From the media reports it seems like the government as much as the EPL are keen to get restarted again, and not just the PL other sports like Rugby Union/League, cricket and horse racing. They will only allow them to begin if and when it is safe and practacle (these 5 steps they keep banging on about) to do so.

The earliest it can conceivably start by the PL's own admission is probably 7 weeks from now when hopefully we will have more of a degree of control over this disease, a lot of people are looking at the potential re-opening and applying todays conditions/scenario to it. Hopefully in 7 weeks time the spread of the disease, deaths, hospitalisations will look a lot different and with track and trace, the app, full testing of all those who need it, will be much different and improved to today.

I'd reckon approx 700 tests would need to be made between clubs for each matchday situation (23 man squad plus say 12 backroom staff x 20), then the majority of external staff/broadcasters etc who would need to be at the game would not be allowed to come into contact with a playerso I doubt there would need to be the same level of testing as them. If the UK currently has a weekly capacity of 700k tests then 700 tests for all matchday squads is 0.001% of the weekly capacity.

Now if any single one of those tests is required by someone with symptoms, or a key worker, or a health worker than absolutely they should take priority but hopefully in 7 weeks time with cases dropping quite dramatically from where we are now there would hopefully be enough capacity amongst those 700,000 weekly tests to be able to effectively test PL players and satff to get the game going.

It's all obviously hypothesis at the moment but I don't think it's unreasonable to put plans in place to get football and sport going again when it is relatively safe to do so and if/when we have a level of control within the country, as it's not something that can just pop up as and when the government says they can play again.

 

[Mellotron]

I'd reckon approx 700 tests would need to be made between clubs for each matchday situation (23 man squad plus say 12 backroom staff x 20), then the majority of external staff/broadcasters etc who would need to be at the game would not be allowed to come into contact with a playerso I doubt there would need to be the same level of testing as them. If the UK currently has a weekly capacity of 700k tests then 700 tests for all matchday squads is 0.001% of the weekly capacity.

However if we do it like they are in Germany - private tests being bought for Prem players and staff - then the weekly capacity for those who need it isn't being affected at all. 0.00%. Actually, they are donating test kits, and so are positively affecting the capacity.

 

[darkwolf666]

I'd reckon approx 700 tests would need to be made between clubs for each matchday situation (23 man squad plus say 12 backroom staff x 20), then the majority of external staff/broadcasters etc who would need to be at the game would not be allowed to come into contact with a playerso I doubt there would need to be the same level of testing as them. If the UK currently has a weekly capacity of 700k tests then 700 tests for all matchday squads is 0.001% of the weekly capacity.

I know you were just trying to prove a percentage, but currently UK testing capacity is at 40,000 a day, so 280,000 a month.

The government are aiming for 100,000 a day by the end of April, but that looks like another target to be missed.

 

[Mellotron]

I know you were just trying to prove a percentage, but currently UK testing capacity is at 40,000 a day, so 280,000 a month.

The government are aiming for 100,000 a day by the end of April, but that looks like another target to be missed.

The testing capacity on Monday was 53,892, and I believe it was higher than that yesterday. UPDATE - it was 73,400 yesterday.

It's not at 100,000 per day yet, but is rising rapidly atm and looks likely to be there within 7-10 days if not sooner, you'd hope.

 

[cjd]

From the media reports it seems like the government as much as the EPL are keen to get restarted again, and not just the PL other sports like Rugby Union/League, cricket and horse racing. They will only allow them to begin if and when it is safe and practacle (these 5 steps they keep banging on about) to do so.

The earliest it can conceivably start by the PL's own admission is probably 7 weeks from now when hopefully we will have more of a degree of control over this disease, a lot of people are looking at the potential re-opening and applying todays conditions/scenario to it. Hopefully in 7 weeks time the spread of the disease, deaths, hospitalisations will look a lot different and with track and trace, the app, full testing of all those who need it, will be much different and improved to today.

I'd reckon approx 700 tests would need to be made between clubs for each matchday situation (23 man squad plus say 12 backroom staff x 20), then the majority of external staff/broadcasters etc who would need to be at the game would not be allowed to come into contact with a playerso I doubt there would need to be the same level of testing as them. If the UK currently has a weekly capacity of 700k tests then 700 tests for all matchday squads is 0.001% of the weekly capacity.

Now if any single one of those tests is required by someone with symptoms, or a key worker, or a health worker than absolutely they should take priority but hopefully in 7 weeks time with cases dropping quite dramatically from where we are now there would hopefully be enough capacity amongst those 700,000 weekly tests to be able to effectively test PL players and satff to get the game going.

It's all obviously hypothesis at the moment but I don't think it's unreasonable to put plans in place to get football and sport going again when it is relatively safe to do so and if/when we have a level of control within the country, as it's not something that can just pop up as and when the government says they can play again.

"12 backroom staff "


Which planet are you on ?

 

[WilburySeagull]

All the suggestions about testing being the answet to restart depend on at least 2 assumptions: first that the whole group players, club officials, referees etc can be isolated after the test and until matches are completed and second the unsaid hope that no tests are positive. What happens if a player tests positive? No idea.

 

[crodonilson]

"12 backroom staff "


Which planet are you on ?

Well these are exceptional circumstances so they might have to curb the nmber of staff players come into contact with, I don't think 12 is unreasonable, if it's slightly more it doesn't massively affect the total number of tests required.

How many backroom people would need to regularly be in contact with the first team squad in order for them to adequetly prepare for and attend a first team game from each club?

 

[studio150]

However if we do it like they are in Germany - private tests being bought for Prem players and staff - then the weekly capacity for those who need it isn't being affected at all. 0.00%. Actually, they are donating test kits, and so are positively affecting the capacity.

However, if the games go ahead behind closed doors at club grounds rather than centrally, then the drive through testing venue at the Amex would have to close at least on the day of the games taking away that capacity for testing,

 

[Mellotron]

However, if the games go ahead behind closed doors at club grounds rather than centrally, then the drive through testing venue at the Amex would have to close at least on the day of the games taking away that capacity for testing,

Why would it need to close, if the players are being tested using private kits that are separate from the drive through testing? I assume they'd be able to find a way to make sure players had no interaction with those being tested at the Amex? Plenty of space, plenty of entrances etc.

UPDATE - May have been put right in [MENTION=3462]Springal[/MENTION]'s post below. Surprised if so.

 

[Springal]

However, if the games go ahead behind closed doors at club grounds rather than centrally, then the drive through testing venue at the Amex would have to close at least on the day of the games taking away that capacity for testing,

Agreed - they've already confirmed that.

I do think Tony Bloom has been pretty clever; if I'm being cynical he doesn't want the season to restart in a bodged fashion so he authorised Matt Ryan to go back to Australia (risky) - allowed the AMEX to be used as a NHS drive-thru testing centre. All things now out of his hands if the PL try to push through some shit bodge; just to get the season done

 

[Napper]

another way to look at it

In the next 6 weeks alot of us will be back to work. Traveling on public translport where we will try to socially distance but it will be largely impossible.

Players going back to work behind closed doors is not so much different when you look at it like that.

THe money in the game probably means better precautions than alot of us working public will get when we all return .

 

[Dick Swiveller]

Agreed - they've already confirmed that.

I do think Tony Bloom has been pretty clever; if I'm being cynical he doesn't want the season to restart in a bodged fashion so he authorised Matt Ryan to go back to Australia (risky) - allowed the AMEX to be used as a NHS drive-thru testing centre. All things now out of his hands if the PL try to push through some shit bodge; just to get the season done

Wow - I thought I was cynical. Quite a few football grounds are being used for testing - a big car park makes it ideal.

Agree about the bodge part though. Do what Germany are suggesting which is remove relegation and go for your life. The morale point is very valid but changing the rules half way through the season make it very unfair for teams to lose out so spectacularly. Other teams got points against Arsenal at home, for example, with the benefit of a home crowd. Not our fault we haven't played them yet. Conversely, we might benefit against Liverpool/City if the title is over and their players turn up to play a game with no fans and little on it.

 

[Mellotron]

another way to look at it

In the next 6 weeks alot of us will be back to work. Traveling on public translport where we will try to socially distance but it will be largely impossible.

Players going back to work behind closed doors is not so much different when you look at it like that.

The money in the game probably means better precautions than alot of us working public will get when we all return .

Agreed. I think a lot of people are looking at it but with the situation as it is now, where understandably talk of football coming back feels a bit...odd, and uneasy.

There is a fair chance the situation will look massively different in 2/3 months time. That's the situation being looked at when considering the possibilities.

 

[Blue Valkyrie]

"12 backroom staff "


Which planet are you on ?

Planet Deluded perhaps ?

https://www-mirror-co-uk.cdn.amppro...remier-league-club-calculates-number-21896804

 

[nwgull]

another way to look at it

In the next 6 weeks alot of us will be back to work. Traveling on public translport where we will try to socially distance but it will be largely impossible.

Players going back to work behind closed doors is not so much different when you look at it like that.

THe money in the game probably means better precautions than alot of us working public will get when we all return .

Do you and 20 colleagues stand in an area of about 7m x 7m wresting and grabbing each other's shirts before all trying to compete for a football 10-15 times a day?

 

[Knocky's Nose]

This may have already been covered elsewhere, but lets say they do restart behind closed doors... Would all Season Ticket Holders have to forfeit the cost of their match ticket in order to watch a live-stream on the telly box?

 

[LamieRobertson]

Glen Murray interview on Talksport this morning re PL attempts to restart season

 

[Green Cross Code Man]

This may have already been covered elsewhere, but lets say they do restart behind closed doors... Would all Season Ticket Holders have to forfeit the cost of their match ticket in order to watch a live-stream on the telly box?

It would not be an equitable trade in my view.

 

[Is it PotG?]

This may have already been covered elsewhere, but lets say they do restart behind closed doors... Would all Season Ticket Holders have to forfeit the cost of their match ticket in order to watch a live-stream on the telly box?

I feel certain that, IF this thing ever gets off the ground, the club will inform us of all options re: viewing/refunds.

 

[Change at Barnham]

A flashback to times of long ago (7 weeks?) when it's a corner and the defenders are manhandling the attackers and the forwards are leaning against the defenders and standing on the goalkeepers toes, and the referee stops play to warn the offenders.
Then a few minutes later there's another corner and the whole scene is repeated.
All while the players are dripping with sweat and breathing heavily and shouting.

What could possibly go wrong with just 92 more Premier League games to play?
And then there is the small matter of several hundred EFL fixtures also to be completed.
All taking place in a country that is almost certain to suffer the most deaths from Covid-19 in the whole of Europe due to poor planning.

It could almost be a modern day episode of Blackadder.