Charlton Athletic manager Lee Bowyer has heavily criticised the EFL's proposed plan to base this season's final Championship standings on the points-per-game system [PPG] if the campaign cannot be concluded.
It was confirmed by the EFL last week that the league tables will be decided by an unweighted PPG system if the 2019/20 campaign is curtailed, though plenty of optimism about the season resuming next month is shared by clubs right across the division.
But if the campaign was to be scrapped over safety fears because of the coronavirus pandemic, it would not do too much damage to Leeds United's promotion aspirations, as it would guarantee them a place in the Premier League next season, likewise the Whites' nearest promotion challengers, West Bromwich Albion.
Even though PPG system would be great news for Bowyer's former club, it would be a massive blow to the Addicks, as if the campaign was to be curtailed it would relegate them back down to League One, despite having only slipped into the relegation zone six days before the campaign was suspended back in March.
Understandably scathing at the decision, Bowyer, who, of course, wants the season to be completed in its entirety, told talkSPORT: "I do honestly believe that we will finish the season.
"They have got us back training, but if they do this PPG... there are 27 points to play for and it is a lot of points.
"This time last year Aston Villa were not even in the play-off positions and now look where they are - they are in the Premier League, so there is definitely a lot to play for.
"It would be wrong, this points-per-game, because we have played 37 games this season, and for 36 of them we haven't been in the bottom three. We have been in the bottom three for six days, so we should be given the chance to get out.
"At the end of the day, we signed a deal to say you go down after 46 games if you are in the bottom three and that isn't the case, so give us a chance. If not, you cannot be relegating teams in the bottom three with nine games to go, no matter what the circumstances are, that would not be the right thing to do, I think.
"That is just my opinion and I am not saying it just because we are in the bottom three - I have said it all the way along.
"Six days before, Middlesbrough would have been in the bottom three and I would have still been saying the same.
"We just want to get back, concentrate on getting the lads ready and I am sure we will get out of this, because we have finally got all of our players back [from injury].
"When we had a full squad we were a good side. We started really well, the season, when we had a full squad and we have got that now, so I have no doubt that we will get out of this."
