2019/20 Premier League Thread - The Longest Season

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

First topic message reminder :

2019/20 Barclays season thread

Start off by asking how long you think Ole will last at the wheel? For me, sacked by February 2020

[hampo17]

So what you’re saying is then....everyone turns a blind eye unless it’s in public eye. Hypocrisy at its finest.

[Beer]

If it’s not your place to comment, you’re basically too afraid to admit out loud you don’t like it.

Nonsense.

Saudi's record is abhorrent, however, there have been changes in recent times. They've adopted more of a western approach, hence why they've had things like the WWE over; allowed women to wrestle.

[Dolphin Ziggler]

“What can we do about it?” asks fanbase that protested, boycotted games, criticised continuously and promoted not stepping foot in a chain of shops.

[Dolphin Ziggler]

So what you’re saying is then....everyone turns a blind eye unless it’s in public eye. Hypocrisy at its finest.

What I’m obviously saying is people won’t comment on what they know less of.

[Dolphin Ziggler]

If it’s not your place to comment, you’re basically too afraid to admit out loud you don’t like it.

Nonsense.

Saudi's record is abhorrent, however, there have been changes in recent times. They've adopted more of a western approach, hence why they've had things like the WWE over; allowed women to wrestle.

Propaganda: it works!

[JDizzle]

If it’s not your place to comment, you’re basically too afraid to admit out loud you don’t like it.

Nonsense.

Saudi's record is abhorrent, however, there have been changes in recent times. They've adopted more of a western approach, hence why they've had things like the WWE over; allowed women to wrestle.

They had a journalist dismembered less than two years ago.

[Beer]

If it’s not your place to comment, you’re basically too afraid to admit out loud you don’t like it.

Nonsense.

Saudi's record is abhorrent, however, there have been changes in recent times. They've adopted more of a western approach, hence why they've had things like the WWE over; allowed women to wrestle.

They had a journalist dismembered less than two years ago.

I missed the part where i said they were perfect?

Abhorrent would cover that. I'm not papering over it, but there are plenty of other questionable owners to get all riled up about.

[Soul Requiem]

I don't see a great deal of difference between a football club and plastic production; are people going to boycott the latter because the a lot of base plastic is produced in Saudi Arabia?

[Dolphin Ziggler]

To be fair, I don’t support a specific plastic company. Are you more Dow Chemical or one of the Acros lads?

[Dolphin Ziggler]

I remember the day my dad gave me my first plastic toy. He’d had the same one as a lad. He looked at, I looked at him, and I’ve only bought SABIC produced plastics since. I just knew

[GSC]

To be honest I find the moral gloating aspect of modern football pretty tedious.

You can support the team without supporting whoever owns most of the shares.

[Dolphin Ziggler]

It’s not really moral gloating as I don’t think it would be good for Newcastle or their fans, really. I don’t think trophies are worth the damage this will do to some of their fanbase and could do to a lot of it.

The ownership of a football club matters.

[GSC]

I think you're probably vastly overstating it. Most fans just want to support a successful team, that doesn't imply a shared acceptance of the Saudi regime.

How often does F1 get panned for racing in Bahrain nowadays. How much noise do WWE get for going there now compared to years ago.

There will always be idiots that feel they have to defend anything and everything connected to the team, but I would imagine most fans can separate it.

[hampo17]

If they invest in the area similar to what the City owners have done I can’t imagine that fans will be too fussed about the past. Worth remembering that some of the members of this consortium already have property investments in Newcastle.

[Beer]

If they invest in the area similar to what the City owners have done I can’t imagine that fans will be too fussed about the past. Worth remembering that some of the members of this consortium already have property investments in Newcastle.

The Reuben Brothers?

[Dolphin Ziggler]

Seems to me like it’s ok cos they have a lot of money, then. I’d imagine the moral outrage within newcastle fans would be louder if they were getting some no marks with the same human rights records.

[Beer]

I think the issue is that you're trying to point out issues with this, yet every other owner with questionable morals seems to escape. You come across like it should be anyone but us.

[hampo17]

The issue is that there was no issue with Saudis buying Sheffield United, I don’t remember pages on here about human rights issues and I don’t remember the media kicking off either. Can’t have one rule for one and a totally different set for another.

If we’re saying that Newcastle can’t be bought by these then really we should be forcing Sheffield Uniteds owners to sell.

[Beer]

The issue is that there was no issue with Saudis buying Sheffield United, I don’t remember pages on here about human rights issues and I don’t remember the media kicking off either. Can’t have one rule for one and a totally different set for another.

If we’re saying that Newcastle can’t be bought by these then really we should be forcing Sheffield Uniteds owners to sell.

The cases are also somewhat different. PIF is the investment group of the Saudi's, a hedgefund. Made it's money buying and selling companies, and investing. Sheffield United are actually owned (well, 50% i believe) by the actual House of Saud, the Royal Family.

[Dolphin Ziggler]

The Sheffield United stuff has been addressed.

I’ve never mentioned anyone but Newcastle and that’s the same mental view as Ed thinking the media criticised Everton hiring Ancelotti as some sort of agenda against Everton.

The “why just us?” stuff is both wrong (happens with City all the time) and a bit sad. It’s almost the child’s “he started it!” argument. Your club isn’t under attack, I find the ardent defence a huge sign of admission.

It’s also before - it hasn’t happened yet - so you can discuss and consider a form of stopping it and discomfort with it. Bit harder afterwards, you can have more sympathy there.

Maybe it’s just a personal thing. It’s not for me, I don’t think it’s a good idea and I don’t think it’s worth the damage. Maybe it’s a perspective of feeling that loss of club from the move.

I struggle to see any justification, that’s for sure. I can get the conflict, but there’s just this notion of defence straight away. Jealousy or sour grapes is daft, ive been watching rich clubs win things for 30 years.

[hampo17]

Interesting outcomes from today’s UEFA meeting. They’re staying that leagues must be completed either by playing the remaining fixtures, or if this isn’t possible then by deciding final standings either on current positions or points per game.

Failure to do so could see clubs being excluded from the next European club competitions when they commence.

[Soul Requiem]

I can't say I agree with that at all and I can't imagine too many teams are going to be for it either. Being relegated when you have a potentially easier run in is absurd.

[westisbest]

There is also to many games left to play. Potentially the 3 bottom teams could stay up. None of them are down yet.

[Soul Requiem]

There is also to many games left to play. Potentially the 3 bottom teams could stay up. None of them are down yet.

All UEFA care about is the Champions League and Europa Cup, this advice is based purely around that, to hell with any team outside of the European elite.

[Crimey]

There is also to many games left to play. Potentially the 3 bottom teams could stay up. None of them are down yet.

All UEFA care about is the Champions League and Europa Cup, this advice is based purely around that, to hell with any team outside of the European elite.

Does UEFA have any authority over relegation in the leagues? I'm assuming they can only comment on the areas they cover, which is the European part.

Could the leagues choose to use the standings for top 6 (still unfair on Sheffield United) and then have no relegation? Move to a 22 team league and promote West Brom & Leeds United.

[Soul Requiem]

There is also to many games left to play. Potentially the 3 bottom teams could stay up. None of them are down yet.

All UEFA care about is the Champions League and Europa Cup, this advice is based purely around that, to hell with any team outside of the European elite.

Does UEFA have any authority over relegation in the leagues? I'm assuming they can only comment on the areas they cover, which is the European part.

Could the leagues choose to use the standings for top 6 (still unfair on Sheffield United) and then have no relegation? Move to a 22 team league and promote West Brom & Leeds United.

So make sure the money teams still get their money?

[Crimey]

There is also to many games left to play. Potentially the 3 bottom teams could stay up. None of them are down yet.

All UEFA care about is the Champions League and Europa Cup, this advice is based purely around that, to hell with any team outside of the European elite.

Does UEFA have any authority over relegation in the leagues? I'm assuming they can only comment on the areas they cover, which is the European part.

Could the leagues choose to use the standings for top 6 (still unfair on Sheffield United) and then have no relegation? Move to a 22 team league and promote West Brom & Leeds United.

So make sure the money teams still get their money?

I don't know, I'm just spitballing an idea that would avoid relegating teams unfairly whilst still meeting UEFA's expectations.

[Dolphin Ziggler]

UEFA have also suggested they would prefer playoffs to decide European spots rather than nothing happening.

They don’t care about relegation.

I quite like the 22 team league as a fan, but not sure why it’s more fair to promote those two. They haven’t earned it yet, you’d have to to argue that a third team should join them too.

I’m not really in favour of this season finishing, the way things appear in this country. I’d accept a round of playoffs to determine the Champions League, I’d give Liverpool the title, I’d probably also look to share the revenue from European places a bit more between those teams who were in the hunt.

[Duty281]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/52418048

Sensible Dutch folk.

[hampo17]

Seen a few people comment on this and state that’s is the sensible answer. Adding context to it however shows that at this point the UK is in a different situation. Holland have had their lockdown extended till September so in reality they had no chance of playing any football.

Seen a few say it’s been made null and void, it hasn’t they just haven’t awarded the title or relegation, it’s obvious to see why they haven’t awarded the title. The top two are level on points, after the same games and while Ajax have a better goal difference, AZ have beaten the twice so on sporting merit how can you choose.

Great news for AZ though as they get European football next season.

[Galted]

Villa can still theoretically make Europe so I hope that's factored in when the decision about how to end the season is made.

[hampo17]

On sporting merit I think Villa should be playing in the vanarama next year personally.

[Dolphin Ziggler]

All of the talk from UEFA is interesting. I know they are concerned with their competitions, but they shouldn’t be just thinking about the tournaments. They should be thinking about leagues. But they’re clearly not.

They don’t care about the promotion and relegation stuff (and I think it’s pretty clear the teams they care about also couldn’t give a s*** what happens out their sphere) - it’s only about qualification for the CL and EL.

I just don’t want to hear the words integrity and fairness brought in on this any longer. They clearly aren’t in consideration.

[westisbest]

On sporting merit I think Villa should be playing in the vanarama next year personally.

Oh dear.

Not a fan then.

[hampo17]

Nah I'm only messing, don't mind Villa at all. Plenty of worse clubs around the country.

[Dolphin Ziggler]

French league season effectively cancelled.

Can’t see how we’re not next. Astounding arrogance to continue it

[Crimey]

Then again, Italy & Germany are both planning restarts - albeit Germany have obviously been much less affected by Covid.

[hampo17]

Quite simple Dolph, as is happening in Holland, clubs will take legal action. Also as I mentioned when the Holland decision was dicussed it's based on Governments guidelines that sporting events have been banned until September in France.

[Dolphin Ziggler]

Should say it’s not voided in France, they’re looking at three options to decide final places.

I can’t see how playing this season doesn’t prove that players are not human in the eyes of their clubs and the fans. As for fairness and integrity, both of those are a joke.

I’d love them to come out and just announce that it’s about the money and explain it. If rumours of clubs going into administration are true, it’s much more likely to get people on side. I can ignore football having lived barely within its means for so long whilst awash with money, as ludicrous as it is.

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

Suddenly football fans caring about "fairness" is hilarious to me

They'll do whatever means they're least effected financially. If Sky/BT said tomorrow they'd not want to recoup lost TV rights for this season and would still pay them out, they'd cancel the season on the spot and sort out champions/europe/relegation/promotion, and teams would have to lump whatever decision was made

[Lowlandbrit]

Switzerland allowed to restart 8 June without fans, sounds like Italy might get the Dutch/French treatment.

[Duty281]

Premier League also hopeful of an 8th June restart, with a view of getting all the games done by the end of July.

Just can't see it working, personally. Any one player or coach who gets Coronavirus will force the entire club, and others they've recently played, to go into isolation for at least a fortnight and kibosh any hopes of playing the rest of the season.

[westisbest]

I can’t see football starting up again until we are back to some kind of. normality. Whether that’s finish this season, which they want to, or scrap and start next season.

Whenever normality will happen. That’s anybody’s guess.

I don’t think though that we will see fans at a game until at least early next year.

[Soul Requiem]

Since Germany eased their lockdown it appears that infections are now on the rise again which will put pay to any thoughts of them restarting their season which will surely have a knock on effect elsewhere.

[Guest]

Delusional to believe the season will restart, given how fragile the conditions that remain

[hampo17]

Think you're looking at the same conspiracys as the other gun man John. If a club did that and the person was to die it would be classed as man slaughter and I'm damn sure that the family wouldn't stay silent over an employer paying someone to get this disease.

[Lowlandbrit]

I just don't see how or why you'd create an exception for PL football. I get that it would be very popular because people want some normality and entertainment, but seeing players fly into challenges or celebrate goals together while everyone else is being told to keep their distance would be a bit odd.

[Galted]

I just don't see how or why you'd create an exception for PL football. I get that it would be very popular because people want some normality and entertainment, but seeing players fly into challenges or celebrate goals together while everyone else is being told to keep their distance would be a bit odd.

Villa's defence this season has done a pretty good job of keeping a 2m distance between themselves and the nearest opponent.

[GSC]

A lot of clubs under threat of being relegated playing games with a potential restart

[GSC]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/52517532

We'll play as long as we can't be relegated. The true colours shine through

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