My worry is it gives the big clubs more reason to buy up any talented youngsters, as they could start to guarantee them a spot in the match squad more regularly.
I’m concerned that the recent hiatus may have changed the relative form of teams in the bottom half. That could possibly mean that Saints are better....but, as long standing Saints fans, we can all dismiss that
Okay honesty time. Who’s still worried about a possible relegation fight? And who will be in full meltdown if we lose to Norwich and Watford?
That's more annoying. (Although it does make it fairer on Watford.) I prefer last night's unofficial schedule!
I'm more worried than I was before. Don't get me wrong, that worry is only up as far as giving us a 10% chance of going down. I'm still relaxed. But pre-lockdown, I'd say we only had about a 1% or 2% chance. Instability and jeopardy have now been thrown in. Which clubs will hit the ground running, and which will start cold? Which clubs will be hardest hit with fixture pile-up/recovery time, once the full fixture schedule is known? Which clubs will suffer most with losing injured players for an increased number of games (eg a 10 day injury might now see a player miss four games - basically half the remaining season)? Which clubs will thrive without fans, which will suffer, and which will see no impact? I firmly believe that our chances of going down have increased. But not sufficiently to yet concern me.
Not sure at the moment. We had gone from a great run, to a run where points were proving difficult to get, so the stoppage might have been good for us. Having said that, we are often very slow out of the blocks, when a season kicks off, and it feels like the start to a season.
Think a lot of it will depend on how much players have managed to regain fitness, espescially for teams like us who play a high energy style. I can see us struggling as it goes on for that reason.
Wonder how having no fans will effect Saints. At home it could help with no one getting on the players backs! But we’ve picked up most of our points away, is that because a home crowd wills their team forward and we catch them on the break? I think the games will be slower pace without fans. Two wins should see us safe and I think that’s more than achievable.
Given our horrendous home record (worst in the league), I think it's pretty safe to say that our home record won't be adversely impacted. But will it help?... And what impact on our excellent away form?
I believe not having our fans in SMS will help them, no pressure, no moaning and groaning when things don’t go right or we don’t lump the ball 40 yards up the pitch
Latest round of COVID-19 testing in the Premier League... Total tests administered - 1,195 Positive test results - 0
Matt Hancock will no doubt be on Andrew Marr tomorrow morning claiming what a success this is for the government
A senior coach in the Bundesliga, says that injuries are 225% higher than you would expect after 4 matches, had the team’s been able to prepare in the usual way, with pre-season friendlies etc. A lot of muscle injuries being reported, with entire teams being reported as “doubtful” to play in matches! Never mind this season, but the knock on effect of losing key players for long periods of next season, could be devastating for clubs with squad players that are just that.
They are the New Zealand of sporting codes. Humble brag. Looking forward to the resumption of football.