Everton postponement rejected

[Hibsclaret]

We haven’t had anywhere near long enough to look forward to the game yet. It needs to be cancelled 2 hours before kick off for full impact in terms of messing everyone about. To have one cancellation 2 hours before ko you can say is an error, to have 2 is taking the pi55 and a 3rd one would put the cherry on top. Very much doubt this game will go ahead and I thought the same about the Villa one a couple of days before it was scheduled to take place.

[Andreshotboots]

We are lucky this pandemic seems, thus far, to be taking place during relatively mild winters.

Just been watching a documentary on BBC4 retelling the Big Freeze of 1963 during which over 500 football fixtures had to be postponed.

Bought back some chilling memories though, leaving the gas oven alight and the oven door open just to get some warmth.

The big freeze? We couldn’t cope with a couple of hours snow against Spurs

[boatshed bill]

The big freeze? We couldn’t cope with a couple of hours snow against Spurs

1963, I remember it well, coming home from school and cuddling the dog to get warm

[superdimitri]

If the game ends up going ahead they will be so scared it should be ours for the taking.

[JohnDearyMe]

I'd be amazed if Everton don't manage to get this called off

[NewClaret]

So I ponder why should COVID absentees be treated any different to players who are injured, if Everton have a large number of players unavailable that's unfortunate, but I'm sure amongst their 1st team and academy they could muster a side if they really wanted to.

I don't think Everton have deliberately engineered this situation, however the timing is incredibly convenient regarding the match not going ahead isn't it considering their lengthy injury list, and us boasting a fully fit squad pretty much.

I’d be amazed if Watford and Villa both lacked what is now being reported as the requirements 13+1 GK, particularly given the strength of the Villa Academy. I think in both cases they had many injuries. Sickening to think it would’ve been a great time to play both had it not been for Covid.

[NewClaret]

If the game ends up going ahead they will be so scared it should be ours for the taking.

It’s about time we got a bit of luck.

[mybloodisclaret]

Who are the Covid related absentees and who are the injured?

Injuries shouldn't count, with a small squad, when we have been hammered with injuries we have played and normally been beaten.

Covid is a different matter, no one wants to catch it but it is still ripping through the country at the minute. Players should be made to take a test almost like a doping test under strict control to validate the data, it isn't clear if it is like this at present.

I was speaking to a bitter blue season ticket holder yesterday who reckons Rafa wants the game off as he has DCL not quite ready, richarlison out, townsend out, mina out all injured. He suspects they will all be fit when we play them on a Thursday in April if it gets called off on Boxing Day. His opinion not mine. To be honest, with our current predicament, I'd much rather play Everton now with those above not available, and of course wish them a speedy recovery.

[SouthLondonexile]

Forgive me for being a sceptic here but I get the impression that teams do not want to play a fully fit Burnley football team.

[AlargeClaret]

What are the odds Everton will suddenly get another couple of players “ injured “ or covid ? they’ll be pulling every trick in the book rest assured

[Burnleyareback2]

Rafa realising that cancelling Boxing Day should mean he is still in a job when the December pay hits the bank.

[up_the_clarets_1989]

It’d be interesting to see the list of players who are unavailable through injury or a positive test. I bet that if the game goes ahead then some on that list will make a miraculous recovery and play.

[Firthy]

What is the point of having a 25 man squad if they don't want to play half of them?

[warksclaret]

The authorities need to stand up to a few of these clubs, otherwise the clubs will walk all over them. And yes it will be interesting to see who has recovered if the Everton game goes ahead

[775claret]

Watching the BBC news this morning really peed me off (as it does most mornings to be fair!).

It's all about poor old Rafa and how he hasn't got enough players. No mention of:

a) How many players he has in his squad. It's not our fault he thinks most of them are sh1te.
b) How many players Everton have already used this season.
c) No mention about Burnley and how we have largely managed to keep our small squad fit and healthy (that's not down to luck - that's due to good management, committment and attitude of the players and a team ethic).

I wouldn't be surprised if Rafa gets this one called off. And we'll end up playing them in April when they've brought in a load more expensive South Americans who nobodies ever heard of.

[AlargeClaret]

Just listening to a near hysterical bunch of prem managers screeching about “ player welfare” trying to get big names to speak out with Pep talking about a strike .All the usual suspects Klopp ,Pep, Rafa et al blubbing about a fixture backlog . Makes my blood boil ! Why the hell do these pampered poodles think they’re allowed huge squads of multi millionaire players ? The sheer terror instilled that they may have to play with a team only 5 x the value of Burnley’s is a joy to behold

[Bordeauxclaret]

I’m not sure they’ve read the room with this one.

[Lancasterclaret]

Anyone got a bet on what time today this will get called off?

[Newcastleclaret93]

Anyone got a bet on what time today this will get called off?

I’m going for 5pm today

[NewClaret]

Christmas period so I’m going for later than usual. 2:15 pm tomorrow.

[Transpennine]

Imagine spending HALF A BILLION POUNDS on your squad and still trying to get a game called off against us because its not strong enough.

[Sproggy]

Everton have used 28 players this season. 11 out leaves 17 that have played in the 1st team.

We've used 19 and have 3 out.

[Newcastleclaret93]

Apparently Everton are appealing against the descision

[Woodleyclaret]

I hitched to Bramall Lane in a blizzard in Winter 1963 to watch us loose to the Blades
The snow was cleared so the lines were visible then repeated again at half time.

[Spijed]

So, it basically seems to come down to the number of injuries Everton have, and less to do with the number of Covid cases.

[Quickenthetempo]

I think Rafa has it as well, which won't help the cause.

Might help their team, but...

[Barlickclaret]

Just heard a very strong rumour and the game is off. Heard it here 1st.

[tiger76]

Imagine spending HALF A BILLION POUNDS on your squad and still trying to get a game called off against us because its not strong enough.

Shows how much dross they've signed, not all down to Rafa TBF.

All that money lavished on fees and wages, yet they can't even trouble the top half of the table.

[AlargeClaret]

How hard would it be to have a player “ strain his back “ or get a “ sore hammy” They won’t call it off on Xmas day so has to be about 1/10 for an announcement today . Everton fans are literally soiled in sh1t judging by their desperate Twitter posts.

[Spijed]

How hard would it be to have a player “ strain his back “ or get a “ sore hammy” They won’t call it off on Xmas day so has to be about 1/10 for an announcement today . Everton fans are literally soiled in sh1t judging by their desperate Twitter posts.

That's why it's so easy to fiddle the system.

[wilks_bfc]

Confirmed. Off

[ClaretAndJew]

Always going to get called off.

Even when they reject things they still approve them in the end.

Is the competition fair?

[ksrclaret]

Well nobody saw that coming. Football is gone.

[AlargeClaret]

In other news Christmas day will follow Christmas eve

[Somethingfishy]

What did i tell ya...they'd suddenly get further injuries...and they have. It absolutely stinks.

[Spijed]

Rafa Benitez, an upstanding manager who will always play by the rules.

[Tall Paul]

At least they've given us a bit more notice this time.

[RalphCoatesComb]

And that's that then. May as well plan which films we're going to watch

You read it here first, or second... or who ******* cares ?!

[alboclaret]

Glad it's now and not sunday day but it's bloody frustrating still.

Hope we get to hear what dyche thinks....he, rightly says little and sits on the fence alot but I'd like him to give it some back at the situation if he's ****** off with it. This meeting other day was pretty pointless if Everton cant/won't field 14 fit players. I really don't get the injuries part at all.

[quoonbeatz]

Rafa Benitez, an upstanding manager who will always play by the rules.

Can't blame Benitez, there's nothing in the rules to stop them getting a couple of extra 'injuries'.

[tiger76]

At least they've given us a bit more notice this time.

That's one small mercy.

Everton's next scheduled PL game is Newcastle at home on the 30th December, so in theory that should likely be off as well, as it would really take the biscuit if they were forced to play one of our relegation rivals after getting their visit to TM called off.

[Lowbankclaret]

Well I am shocked, didn’t see that coming!!!

[Tall Paul]

I don't see why we can't play Liverpool or Wolves at home instead.

[morpheus2]

Official Premier League release -

"In light of an unacceptable number of Covid cases in the Everton camp we regret we have had to postpone this fixture. Everton's available numbers from the squad were brought down to within three of Burnley's which could potentially have left Everton with only a marginally huge advantage, furthermore Everton's remaining squad are only valued at 5 times that of Burnleys.
We apologise that we did not leave it much later to announce the cancellation as we realise most supporters enjoy the pre-match experience and drive to the ground as much as the game itself"

[MACCA]

So in short it's off, as I'd bet a penny to a pound the have more positive cases crop up by Sunday...

They clearly want it postponed, so it'll no doubt happen

I wish predicting the lotto results were as easy....

[alboclaret]

Can't blame Benitez, there's nothing in the rules to stop them getting a couple of extra 'injuries'.

Injuries shouldn't matter.

It should be something along the lines of 6 out with covid who have played in 2 or more games . Injuries are irrelevant. Positive tests could well be among injured players

[quoonbeatz]

Injuries shouldn't matter.

It should be something along the lines of 6 out with covid who have played in 2 or more games . Injuries are irrelevant. Positive tests could well be among injured players

More 'injuries' are the reason its been called off, not covid cases.

[MT03ALG]

Benitez is making enough noise to get the game called off. He only needs a couple of Covid cases now and the game will be postponed, possibly tomorrow.....

As predicted game off. The Premier League have added an Appendix to their Rules: No team is allowed to play Burnley without a fully fit squad of players.

[Jakubclaret]

More 'injuries' are the reason its been called off, not covid cases.

That’s true but if you didn’t have COVID absentees you’d factor them in replacing the injured players it’s COVID that’s creating havoc with the fixtures not injured players, for years teams have always got by with having injured players & managed to play most of the time & worked around it.

[quoonbeatz]

That’s true but if you didn’t have COVID absentees you’d factor them in replacing the injured players it’s COVID that’s creating havoc with the fixtures not injured players, for years teams have always got by with having injured players & managed to play most of the time & worked around it.

Yes, we know. The point is that they've magicked some new injuries from somewhere. If you leave something wildly open to exploitation, it will be exploited.