Are we likely to start training again soon?

[Spijed]

Apparently Arsenal have now been given the green light to start training.

I wonder when we and other clubs will begin again?

[gawthorpe_view]

I'll have a quick look, see if anyone's about.
Back soon.

[Grumps]

Italian clubs can start training next month

[gawthorpe_view]

Nope.
I'll check again in the morning.

[NottsClaret]

German clubs are already training, Italians back on May 18. We'll probably hear something over the next week about the UK.

[Paul Waine]

German clubs are already training, Italians back on May 18. We'll probably hear something over the next week about the UK.

Extract from report in The Times today:

How Premier League is plotting return

Monday, April 27 Arsenal are first side to return to training. Players will travel alone and do individual workouts. The club have ten pitches at their London Colney training complex.

Friday, May 1 Premier League shareholders meeting to discuss player contracts, which expire on June 30, and the transfer window.

Thursday, May 7 Potential relaxation of government lockdown measures.

Friday, May 15 Final Premier League meeting to set out plans for return to action.

Monday, May 18 – Sunday, June 7 Premier League clubs return to training while adhering to strict social distancing measures with a three-week window for a mini pre-season before matches.

Monday, June 8 – Monday, July 27 Matches resume behind closed doors with aim to complete the outstanding 92 games in an eight-week period. Seven outstanding FA Cup ties could be completed within this window.

Football's coming home, it's coming home, it's coming home!

[Funkydrummer]

I sincerely hope that gobbing all over the place is officially banned and becomes a bookable offence.

Disgusting habit in whatever situation, but it assumes even more significance, if that's possible, in the current climate.

[jtv]

Why only Arsenal?

[TVC15]

Why only Arsenal?

I think it means the club / manager have given the players the green light to start training.

[PremierLeagueClass]

I sincerely hope that gobbing all over the place is officially banned and becomes a bookable offence.

Disgusting habit in whatever situation, but it assumes even more significance, if that's possible, in the current climate.

They’re athletes and unfortunately this is something that helps them clear airways quicker.

[Hendrickxz]

I sincerely hope that gobbing all over the place is officially banned and becomes a bookable offence.

Disgusting habit in whatever situation, but it assumes even more significance, if that's possible, in the current climate.

Totally agree. It should be banned in normal life as well> Filthy frigging habit. I do wonder if that's how the virus got round China quickly in the first place. I have never been and have no desire to go there, but people who have tell me that flobbing and gobbing is part and parcel of life over there, with spitoons still seen in lots of public spaces and buildings. Apparently the Chinese think they are getting the Devil out of their throats if they spit! Bloody dirty gets.

[mdd2]

Well when I was a child all buses had a warning inside the bus on the front -Spitting prohibited, which was unfortunate as almost as now 55% of fol won't know what prohibited means.
The disease feared most in those days was TB

[Funkydrummer]

They’re athletes and unfortunately this is something that helps them clear airways quicker.

That's as maybe, but it still needs banning. It's one of the most disgusting habits humans have.

Dirty, dirty b@stards.

Coronavirus will clear their airways, that's for sure !!!!

[ClaretTony]

Apparently Arsenal have now been given the green light to start training.

I wonder when we and other clubs will begin again?

Not the case at all, they've been given the green light to start using the training ground

[Burnley1989]

I have to admit, I’ll spit whilst running in the countryside, never when near others and I always thought it was something I had to do as it’s difficult to swallow flem when breathing heavily.

That’s said, I’ll run for 40 minutes on a treadmill at the gym and never feel the need to spit on the carpet

No excuses really, when all said and done you’re right it’s disgusting.

[RalphCoatesComb]

Hopefully, the squad has been training... just in the comforts of their own back gardens

[Claretnick]

Hopefully, the squad has been training... just in the comforts of their own back gardens

From the gaffer last Tuesday, “At the moment the players are doing distance programmes and we are ramping that up now slightly,”

[ClaretTony]

He gave them some downtime so they could spend time with their families, like a mini close season, but they are back on the GPS now.

[Rileybobs]

I have to admit, I’ll spit whilst running in the countryside, never when near others and I always thought it was something I had to do as it’s difficult to swallow flem when breathing heavily.

That’s said, I’ll run for 40 minutes on a treadmill at the gym and never feel the need to spit on the carpet

No excuses really, when all said and done you’re right it’s disgusting.

Likewise. But I would always have a drink with me when on the treadmill. I don't see a problem with spitting in a grass verge to clear my throat when on a run in the country, it's not doing anyone any harm.

[beddie]

I thought I heard Brighton were starting to train again but only in small groups.

[wilks_bfc]

I have to admit, I’ll spit whilst running in the countryside, never when near others and I always thought it was something I had to do as it’s difficult to swallow flem when breathing heavily.

That’s said, I’ll run for 40 minutes on a treadmill at the gym and never feel the need to spit on the carpet

No excuses really, when all said and done you’re right it’s disgusting.

Running outdoors is different to running indoors though.

Indoors is usually more controlled environment whereas outdoors you are more exposures to the elements, like heat, humidity, air pollutants and allergens.

[Bosscat]

I thought I heard Brighton were starting to train again but only in small groups.

Spurs players have been doing it for weeks

[Woodleyclaret]

Its time to realise no games will be played in England
Wrighty was on Chapmans show expressing this view
I agree with Ian Wright , people are dying and some people want a return to normal
Even these incompetent muppets in Boris's bungling crew aren't dumb enough to end lockdown just because a few fancy a trip out

[Bosscat]

Its time to realise no games will be played in England
Wrighty was on Chapmans show expressing this view
I agree with Ian Wright , people are dying and some people want a return to normal
Even these incompetent muppets in Boris's bungling crew aren't dumb enough to end lockdown just because a few fancy a trip out

[Rileybobs]

Its time to realise no games will be played in England
Wrighty was on Chapmans show expressing this view
I agree with Ian Wright , people are dying and some people want a return to normal
Even these incompetent muppets in Boris's bungling crew aren't dumb enough to end lockdown just because a few fancy a trip out

Obviously there will be no quick return to football, but when exactly are you expecting people to stop dying from this? The virus isn’t just going to entirely disappear. There will always be fatalities as with other viruses. There will come a point where this will become an ‘acceptable’ and manageable amount and there will be a return to normality.

[dougcollins]

You would have to test every squad member every day. And their families,and anyone else in contact.

[Grumps]

Its time to realise no games will be played in England
Wrighty was on Chapmans show expressing this view
I agree with Ian Wright , people are dying and some people want a return to normal
Even these incompetent muppets in Boris's bungling crew aren't dumb enough to end lockdown just because a few fancy a trip out

If you're waiting for nobody dying for football to return, then you won't see another game

[Paul Waine]

I have to admit, I’ll spit whilst running in the countryside, never when near others and I always thought it was something I had to do as it’s difficult to swallow flem when breathing heavily.

That’s said, I’ll run for 40 minutes on a treadmill at the gym and never feel the need to spit on the carpet

No excuses really, when all said and done you’re right it’s disgusting.

I've not seen anyone walking their dog in a gym. Why do we accept that dog owners find this ok to do outdoors, on the pavements, in the parks etc? And, so many seem to think it's ok if the pick the mess up in a little black plastic bag and a little later dump the bag and contents.

[Paul Waine]

Its time to realise no games will be played in England
Wrighty was on Chapmans show expressing this view
I agree with Ian Wright , people are dying and some people want a return to normal
Even these incompetent muppets in Boris's bungling crew aren't dumb enough to end lockdown just because a few fancy a trip out

I watched the Burnley 2 v 0 Liverpool game on Sunday. There were 2 separate "minutes clapping" for recently deceased fans. Average number of deaths in England, before current pandemic, somewhere around 10,000 per week.

It's part of "getting back to normal" that football will re-start, even if there are a number of weeks when all games are in "empty" stadiums.

[jackmiggins]

No doubt both you and Grumps (if you aren’t the very same?...seem to pop up together?) will be booking another cheap holiday soon, knowing that the tax payer will have to pay for your flight back.......again!!!

[Silkyskills1]

I watched the Burnley 2 v 0 Liverpool game on Sunday. There were 2 separate "minutes clapping" for recently deceased fans. Average number of deaths in England, before current pandemic, somewhere around 10,000 per week.

It's part of "getting back to normal" that football will re-start, even if there are a number of weeks when all games are in "empty" stadiums.

I suspect that the 'number of weeks .,.,.., in empty stadiums' might be a larger number than many of us think currently. Personally.I can't see me attending the Turf again before the clocks go back and maybe later than that.

[tarkys_ears]

I sincerely hope that gobbing all over the place is officially banned and becomes a bookable offence.

Disgusting habit in whatever situation, but it assumes even more significance, if that's possible, in the current climate.

Said the person who's clearly never done a minutes exercise in his life.

[Paul Waine]

No doubt both you and Grumps (if you aren’t the very same?...seem to pop up together?) will be booking another cheap holiday soon, knowing that the tax payer will have to pay for your flight back.......again!!!

Hi Jack, are you referring to me? No, Grumps and I are two different people. Why would you think otherwise?

I'm not a great "fan" of the travellers who thinks the UK gov is there to bale (or is it "bail"?) them out every time somethings "crops up" while they are abroad. I'm much more in the "personal responsibility" camp - and make sure you've bought good quality travel insurance, if you think you might need it.

[Dy1geo]

According to well respected Bernard Latour of L’Equipe French Government likely to announce no sporting events before August even behind closed doors so League 1 and 2 will end. If this is the case and others follow such as Serie A and La Liga I cannot personally see EPL starting so cannot see point in our players training.

[quoonbeatz]

Well we've struggled to learn any lessons from how other countries have handled the virus so there's probably little chance we'd follow them on this either.

[box_of_frogs]

Didn’t take long for politics (the spiteful kind, not discussion) to start rearing it’s ugly head on this thread.

[Jeremy_Bentham]

I'll have a quick look, see if anyone's about.
Back soon.

. always looks out for Gawthorpe_View when he walks past his house. He’s yet to see Gawthorpe_View our doing his garden or washing his car so hasn’t been able to formally introduce himself as yet.

[1HappyClaret]

No idea when the Premier League will start behind closed doors either to finish 19/20 or start 20/21 but I do not expect to be on the Turf until 2021. I hope I’m wrong but can’t see it happening.

Germany has seen the infection rate go above r1 again so not certain they will start when they want.

[Grumps]

No doubt both you and Grumps (if you aren’t the very same?...seem to pop up together?) will be booking another cheap holiday soon, knowing that the tax payer will have to pay for your flight back.......again!!!

Nobody paid for my flights other than me, what are you on about, you clown
As we've both pointed out to you, the holidays taken in Feb were booked a year earlier, no cheap flights involved.
My holiday next month has been cancelled you'll be glad to hear
Hopefully the one in October might go ahead, I'll be sure to let you know

[dsr]

There are two options, basically. Either all football works towards getting back into action as soon as possible, or else we furlough everybody until there is a vaccine. If the players (via the PFA) have the idea of getting paid huge sums but not returning until there is a 100% reliable tried and tested vaccine, that's not going to happen.

[dsr]

double post

[TVC15]

There are two options, basically. Either all football works towards getting back into action as soon as possible, or else we furlough everybody until there is a vaccine. If the players (via the PFA) have the idea of getting paid huge sums but not returning until there is a 100% reliable tried and tested vaccine, that's not going to happen.

It’s more than just an idea though.
They have fixed contracts which make it very difficult for clubs not to pay them - irrespective of whether they play or not.
I know this may mean clubs will go bust - but players are still the first to get paid under this scenario under the football creditors rule.
And if we cannot pay a player as the money runs out after having to sell all our assets then they have the right to walk away from their contracts for nothing.

Clubs / players may decide to defer their wages but looking at some of the early response from Arsenal players for example this is looking highly unlikely.
If players have a choice between either getting paid or giving up their pay to prevent their club going bust personally I think most will choose to look after themselves first - as a lot of people in their shoes probably would too.

[dsr]

It’s more than just an idea though.
They have fixed contracts which make it very difficult for clubs not to pay them - irrespective of whether they play or not.
I know this may mean clubs will go bust - but players are still the first to get paid under this scenario under the football creditors rule.
And if we cannot pay a player as the money runs out after having to sell all our assets then they have the right to walk away from their contracts for nothing.

Clubs / players may decide to defer their wages but looking at some of the early response from Arsenal players for example this is looking highly unlikely.
If players have a choice between either getting paid or giving up their pay to prevent their club going bust personally I think most will choose to look after themselves first - as a lot of people in their shoes probably would too.

If the players want full pay for 3 months while the clubs get no income, that may be doable. But if it becomes clear that they won't play for 18 months and they still want full pay, or anything approaching full pay, then they won't get it. If the clubs have no income for 18 months, the players can't get paid.

[TVC15]

If the players want full pay for 3 months while the clubs get no income, that may be doable. But if it becomes clear that they won't play for 18 months and they still want full pay, or anything approaching full pay, then they won't get it. If the clubs have no income for 18 months, the players can't get paid.

Do you think that’s how players contracts work ?
The club might have no income but they have assets. If they were forced into administration they would be forced to sell these - including the grounds, training facilities etc. And when all this runs out the players get to walk away for nothing and sign for someone else...even if that’s at the end of it.
For players like Pope, Tarks, McNeil if we don’t pay them they can walk away for free...and we lose £100m worth of players and there will be clubs with far deeper pockets than us who will offer them some kind of deal knowing that football will return at some point.

The only way what you are implying could happen if the clubs reach some kind of consensus between them to all not play players and to not sign any players who decide to walk away from their contract which legally they can. Very unlikely that’s going to happen - plus players could start to sign for overseas clubs.

It’s impossible to see how this will play out but you can’t underestimate how strong a hand players have with their contracts and they are not just going to walk away from them especially if they believe that there is going to be less money in football in the future and a general market adjustment in their wages.

[NewClaret]

Again, I come back to this point about lives vs. livelihoods. Everyone will have a different perspective, depending on their own personal circumstances/risk factors and experience of this disease.

At some point, we are going to have to start returning to a new normality of living beside the disease and mitigating its risks because a vaccine/treatment is going to be many months/years away, and there's every chance that the virus will mutate to strains that will leave us constantly playing catch-up. If we wait until we have a vaccine/treatment, football will not exist as we knew it. As our national sport, I think we should do everything we can to adapt and protect it during these difficult times.

For me, particularly given that footballers are not themselves at high-risk, I think there are ways to get games back on behind closed doors in a way that manages risk. It will have to adapt significantly, but measures like daily tests for all players/staff, sensible training precautions, players to travel individually (in kit - no changing rooms or enclosed space), attendee's kept to the absolute minimum to play and televise the match, a risk analysis on everyone attending each game and a clear isolation plan for everyone involved, should they test positive.

In my view all games should be televised on a PPV channel/app, with ST holders getting free access to home games. Any additional funds received go to the home club to compensate for lost matchday revenue.

None of this is ideal. I totally accept that, but it does not involve footballers taking much higher risks than are faced by our keyworkers on a daily basis, so I would imagine it is preferable to all those involved - and the livelihoods football supports.

[paulatky]

If games are pay to view then fans would gather in friends houses so that would go against all the social distancing guidelines.

If free to air it would defeat the object of restarting just to safeguard the Sky and BT money

[Goobs]

If games are pay to view then fans would gather in friends houses so that would go against all the social distancing guidelines.

If free to air it would defeat the object of restarting just to safeguard the Sky and BT money

Bo it wouldn't necessarily as some would be free to air with Sky and BT taking their pick of the others possibly?

[Rileybobs]

Again, I come back to this point about lives vs. livelihoods. Everyone will have a different perspective, depending on their own personal circumstances/risk factors and experience of this disease.

At some point, we are going to have to start returning to a new normality of living beside the disease and mitigating its risks because a vaccine/treatment is going to be many months/years away, and there's every chance that the virus will mutate to strains that will leave us constantly playing catch-up. If we wait until we have a vaccine/treatment, football will not exist as we knew it. As our national sport, I think we should do everything we can to adapt and protect it during these difficult times.

For me, particularly given that footballers are not themselves at high-risk, I think there are ways to get games back on behind closed doors in a way that manages risk. It will have to adapt significantly, but measures like daily tests for all players/staff, sensible training precautions, players to travel individually (in kit - no changing rooms or enclosed space), attendee's kept to the absolute minimum to play and televise the match, a risk analysis on everyone attending each game and a clear isolation plan for everyone involved, should they test positive.

In my view all games should be televised on a PPV channel/app, with ST holders getting free access to home games. Any additional funds received go to the home club to compensate for lost matchday revenue.

None of this is ideal. I totally accept that, but it does not involve footballers taking much higher risks than are faced by our keyworkers on a daily basis, so I would imagine it is preferable to all those involved - and the livelihoods football supports.

The issue is what happens when a player contracts the virus and spreads it to 5 or 6 team mates. How can a club continue to fulfil its fixtures with half of the first team unavailable?

[paulatky]

Bo it wouldn't necessarily as some would be free to air with Sky and BT taking their pick of the others possibly?

And it would be for those games on Sky and BT that fans would gather in friends houses.

Without crowds is it really worth it, teams going through the motions just to qualify for the Sky money.

[dsr]

Do you think that’s how players contracts work ?
The club might have no income but they have assets. If they were forced into administration they would be forced to sell these - including the grounds, training facilities etc. And when all this runs out the players get to walk away for nothing and sign for someone else...even if that’s at the end of it.
For players like Pope, Tarks, McNeil if we don’t pay them they can walk away for free...and we lose £100m worth of players and there will be clubs with far deeper pockets than us who will offer them some kind of deal knowing that football will return at some point.

The only way what you are implying could happen if the clubs reach some kind of consensus between them to all not play players and to not sign any players who decide to walk away from their contract which legally they can. Very unlikely that’s going to happen - plus players could start to sign for overseas clubs.

It’s impossible to see how this will play out but you can’t underestimate how strong a hand players have with their contracts and they are not just going to walk away from them especially if they believe that there is going to be less money in football in the future and a general market adjustment in their wages.

Never mind the theory. Next season, the Premier League expects to receive about £3 billion in TV money and the players expect to receive about £2.5 billion of it. If the clubs don't get their money, then there is nothing to pay the players with.

It's all very well Burnley saying that if we pay our share of £90m or so then we will still have players worth £100m. But if we sell them for £100m then we have barely profited - and after 18 months with no income and huge outgoings, all surviving clubs will be virtually bankrupt, so the transfer market would be worth a small fraction of what it was in March.

If they don't play next season, then the players can't get paid, full stop.