Weekend Fixtures ...

... Going for a burton. Only a matter of time before the whole lot is suspended I reckon, pity we're not in the automatic promo positions, what a shitshow.

Yeah I’m hoping to have a last Home Park hurrah on Saturday, I can’t see how things can carry on after that with the day-on-day sky rocketing of Covid cases.

I think a shortish 'fire break' will soon be announced for the EPL and EFL.  The EPL and maybe the Championship will resume after the firebreak - possibly behind close doors - but L1 and L2 will be halted ala 2020.

Freathy wrote:

I think a shortish 'fire break' will soon be announced for the EPL and EFL.  The EPL and maybe the Championship will resume after the firebreak - possibly behind close doors - but L1 and L2 will be halted ala 2020.

A unilateral football club ‘fire break’ would be completely pointless, unless they were all shipped off the Lundy Island. The only thing that will have a real effect on infection rates is a real national lockdown.

Biggest Covid related problem for football is that 25% of players are refusing vaccinations.

How many footballers have died? I haven't heard of any. Time we got on with life imo.

We just got to get on with it.

Yeah the premier League are meeting Monday to discuss what to do.

They won't stop games in the top two leagues.

Sky, China , Jeff Bazos etc have paid too much money.

Will just go behind closed doors again.

Which no one can afford to do.

Be interesting to see how the latest advice affects our attendance tomorrow.

Grovehill wrote:

Biggest Covid related problem for football is that 25% of players are refusing vaccinations.

Force them like the rest of us are.

Jethro wrote:

We just got to get on with it.

Yeah the premier League are meeting Monday to discuss what to do.

They won't stop games in the top two leagues.

Sky, China , Jeff Bazos etc have paid too much money.

Will just go behind closed doors again.

Which no one can afford to do.

Be interesting to see how the latest advice affects our attendance tomorrow.

1 person has died since it was discovered here on Nov 20 from or with it.
Lockdown must be implemented for six years just in case

Just checked only 17 games on today in the Prem and EFL. Agree with Freathy, time for a break and behind closed doors game likely sooner rather than later.. Will be interesting to see how the logistics work out at H.P today.

No plans for EFL circuit breaker, says chairman Rick Parry

Jethro wrote:

No plans for EFL circuit breaker, says chairman Rick Parry

Nailed on then.

The EFL have announced they will continue with their schedule of games despite the spread of the Omicron variant of Covid-19.

Plymouth Argyle are scheduled to have three League One games over the Christmas and New Year period, starting away to Cheltenham Town on Boxing Day.

The Pilgrims are also due to play Portsmouth at Home Park on Wednesday, December 29, with tickets for the fixture now on general sale.

FC Wimbledon are then scheduled to visit the Theatre of Greens on New Year's Day as Argyle begin 2022 in front of their own fans.

The EFL instructed its 72 clubs across the Championship, League One and League Two last Thursday to implement 'red protocols' at their training facilities.

They also provided guidance on non-fulfilment of fixtures, confirming that clubs will be expected to play where it has 14 players including a goalkeeper available.

An EFL statement issued this afternoon read as follows: "The EFL can confirm that its programme of games in the League and Carabao Cup will continue with fixtures to be played where it is safe to do so, and the set squad criteria can be fulfilled by clubs.

"While the League acknowledges there will likely be future postponements to navigate where Covid-19 cases are identified, there is optimism that disruption can be minimised following implementation of red protocols, a daily testing regime and ongoing vaccination rollout."

EFL chief executive Trevor Birch was quoted as saying: "Throughout the pandemic, our two priorities have been ensuring the welfare of those involved in EFL competitions and ensuring the fixture schedule can continue where it is safe to do so.

“We will continue to work with clubs, authorities and other agencies to monitor the Covid-19 case rate and be prepared to respond accordingly.

"Yet for now the view remains that we can continue to deliver games safely where clubs have sufficient healthy personnel in place, on and off the pitch.

“With club mitigation measures, the mass adoption of booster jabs and Covid certification now required for larger crowds, we are sure many fans will continue to feel confident in attending matches over the Christmas period and we look forward to welcoming them.”

Argyle's 1-0 win against Charlton Athletic at Home Park was one of only six out of the 12 scheduled League One games to go ahead, with the rest of them postponed due to Covid-19 outbreaks.

Charlton were without three of their players, including Northern Ireland international striker Conor Washington, after they returned positive tests.

Cheltenham also played on Saturday, losing 3-1 away to Shrewsbury Town, while Portsmouth's game at AFC Wimbledon was called off because of a number of positive tests within their squad.

No replays in FA Cup Rounds 3 and 4.

Didn't need a replay when a Steve Davey scorcher knocked Brum out of the League Cup