We’ll wrap things up, then. Thanks for joining us today, here’s Barney Ronay’s column:
Jonny remains out for Wolves ahead of Brighton game.
Jonny is unavailable for Wolves ahead of the visit of Brighton. The wing-back remains sidelined after suffering an ankle injury against Norwich last month.
Midfielder Morgan Gibbs-White will also miss out after suffering his own ankle injury playing for the under-23s but it is not thought to be serious.
Brighton boss Graham Potter reported no fresh selection concerns following last weekend’s home defeat by rivals Crystal Palace. Midfielder Alexis Mac Allister is now training with the first-team squad again following his recall from a loan spell at Boca Juniors in Argentina.
Colombian Jose Izquierdo remains unavailable as he continues to recovery from a knee problem.
David Moyes and Eddie Howe defend Eric Dier’s fit of midweek pique.
As Eric Dier waits to hear what punishment will be handed down to him by the FA following his unsuccessful bid to confront an abusive fan after climbing into the lower tier of White Hart Lane’s West Stand following Tottenham’s FA Cup exit to Norwich, David Moyes has spoken out in his defence.
“For Eric to do what he has done, it must have been required and needed,” said West Ham’s manager. “In many ways I admire him and like it. I like how he stands up for his family, for himself, and you know we all get criticism and we have to take it in different ways.
“There have been many events recently where they haven’t taken it well but footballers and football managers have to get it regularly. I know Eric well as he was with me at Everton, he is a great boy. Really good professional from a really good sporting family and background who understands all the issues in sport.”
Eddie Howe said that, while Dier’s post-match reaction was unfortunate and regrettable, the behaviour of some football fans needs to be subjected to more scrutiny. “It is very easy to focus on the reaction of the player, and I don’t think anybody wants to see players, coaches or anybody confronting supporters in that way,” the Bournemouth boss said.
“But the world of football needs to look at what is said and what is acceptable and what is not acceptable. It is almost anything that is said from the terraces: ‘Oh, that is just football banter, that is the world of football’, but I don’t think it should be like that.
“I think it is an opportunity to look at this and maybe review what is acceptable and what is not, highlighting it for everybody who goes to games.”
Tottenham’s investigation of the incident is on hold until Metropolitan Police finish their own enquiries, while the Football Association will also wait to see the outcome before acting.
Blackburn Rovers taking no risks regarding coronavirus.
Blackburn Rovers have issued a statement saying they will be obeying the EFL diktat banning pre-match “Fair Play” handshakes, but are going further in their efforts to stop the spread of the coronavirus.
In addition to the Government advice, Rovers have opted to implement additional precautions at Ewood Park, as well as the club’s Senior Training Centre and Academy – and we have advised our players and coaching staff not to shake hands, sign autographs or pose for photos with supporters before or after games – in order to help mitigate the risk of the virus spreading further,” they say.
“We apologise for any inconvenience caused, but hope that supporters understand the reasons behind these measures being taken. Additionally, any supporter who has recently returned from an affected country should seek professional medical advice before travelling to any upcoming Rovers fixtures.”
Harry Maguire is “touch and go” to feature in Sunday’s Manchester derby.
Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer says centre-back Harry Maguire may not be ready to face Manchester City on Sunday.
The United captain missed Thursday’s FA Cup win at Derby after rolling his ankle in training on the eve of the game and will be assessed ahead of the match.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Daniel James have not trained this week with knocks so will also need checking over. Marcus Rashford (back) and Paul Pogba (ankle) remain out.
Kevin De Bruyne is doubtful for City after falling awkwardly on his shoulder in the latter stages of the Carabao Cup final last weekend and will be assessed.
Winger Leroy Sane continues to make progress in his recovery from the knee injury that has sidelined him since August but the trip to Old Trafford comes too soon for the German.
Defender Aymeric Laporte is still missing with a hamstring problem. Ederson will return in goal after sitting out the past two domestic cup games.
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Neil Lennon fields inevitable questions about the coronavirus.
The Celtic boss has described the prospect of playing games behind closed doors as “not ideal” but accepts the broader picture of fixtures being fulfilled.
Scottish Professional Football League chief executive Neil Doncaster has warned an outbreak of the virus at even one club could make finishing the season “very difficult”.
As of Friday morning, 11 people had tested positive for Covid-19 in Scotland, with the UK figure standing at 163.
The possibility of matches taking place at empty stadiums was flagged up as the football authorities consider what options might be available.
“It’s not ideal but they have had to do it in Italy,” said Lennon. “I don’t know what measures are taken elsewhere but we’ll have to take a view on that if and when that situation arises. It’s not ideal. I don’t know the financial situations of other clubs but I would say it would be very detrimental to the financial well-being.
“I think we are maybe getting a little bit too far ahead of ourselves at the minute and we will have to take it week by week. Yes, we want to play the games and obviously we want to play them in front of full houses, that’s what football is all about. Behind closed doors isn’t ideal and, like I say, the club will guide me on how to guide the players and staff on that.”
Barça coach Quique Setién echoed Liverpool’s Jürgen Klopp widely-shared response to a request for his opinion on how football will deal with coronavirus.
Klopp won plaudits after carpeting the journalist who asked the question, asking how the words of those with no specialist medical knowledge were of any value during a health crisis.
Setién said: “I think he gave an extraordinary answer. The reality is that I have dedicated my life to football and so has he. I don’t know what value my opinion has when I know nothing about this situation.
“There are much more competent people out there who can talk about this issue, it’s as if people want to know everything but I don’t understand these questions. I guess people feel they have to ask something.”
Well that’s this liveblog of football manager responses to questions about coronavirus told. Eesh. Probably as well that Barry’s returned to take the reins back here.
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Daniel Farke this week enjoyed back-to-back wins for the first time this season, at home to high-flying Leicester and away in the Cup for the spot-kick success at Spurs.
Speaking as he prepares his side to face fellow promoted side Sheffield United, he said: “Success is no coincidence. Even when the odds are against you there is no reason to give up. We will keep going and try to make something extraordinary.”
“We are realistic and know we are bottom of the league. We have to earn the right to play here next season, so we are not carried away. I don’t want to stop the feelgood factor we have, but I don’t see any danger of us being over confident or losing the ground beneath our feet.”
Speaking of the derby, this from Jamie Jackson has just landed …
Pep Guardiola believes Manchester City will on Sunday face an “incredibly aggressive” Manchester United enjoying their best moment of the season.
Ole Gunnar Solskjær’s team are unbeaten in nine matches, a best run for a year. The trip to Old Trafford will be City’s fourth meeting with their crosstown rivals this term, having lost two of the previous three.
“When I saw the last games they were incredibly aggressive and in Old Trafford that will happen,” Guardiola said. “In some games they defend against us, but what I saw in the last games – not just against us but against every team in the league – is they were aggressive. At Goodison Park [in Sunday’s 1-1 draw against Everton] they played a good game – and in others.”
Ole Gunnar Solskjær has been harrumphing at the fixture list. He’s unhappy that his side had to play in the Cup last night and then strap up their aching bones for the derby on Sunday, while rivals City got an extra days’ rest.
He said: “It’s that help we get from the FA again, the extra 24 hours that they’ve had … I cannot believe there’s a derby on Sunday and we’ve got to play on Thursday night. What’s the point in that? That doesn’t level the playing field.
“It was the same when we beat them last time to be fair [on 7 December], we played [the previous] Wednesday, they played Tuesday. Them 24 hours, they’re important so we’ve got to be good at recovering now.”
Jamie Vardy is closing on a return for Leicester in Monday night’s match against Aston Villa.
Having missed the defeat to Norwich and Wednesday FA Cup win over Birmingham, the forward “looked very good in training and he’s still on track for Monday”, according to Brendan Rodgers.
Rodgers added: “He’s a very important player for the club and has been for a number of years, particularly since I arrived here. It’s very important he’s available for us for this final part of the season.”
Full-back Ben Chilwell is more of a doubt, however, with the club monitoring “a hamstring twinge”.
Roy Hodgson has been talking about his one-year contract extension (see 11.09), and said securing his backroom colleagues’ future at Crystal Palace was the “crucial factor” in re-signing.
He said: “I’m very pleased. We talked about it for quite a long time … It was more a case of making sure everyone around me is going to be looked after as well, and receive new contracts, because you don’t work in isolation at a football club. You’re very dependent upon the people you’re working with, and I happen to think we have a very, very good team who work with the players and prepare the games.
“That was a crucial factor for me. People can’t give you assurances and guarantees, but everyone at the club – Steve Parish and the American owners – we’re all pretty much aware of the fact it would be nice to have some investment in the team and to strengthen in certain areas. That’s what we’ll be trying to do.”
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John McGinn is closing on a return for Aston Villa after suffering a fractured ankle late last year. The midfielder’s fine early-season performances caught the eye but in his absence Villa have won only two of nine games in the league and now find themselves second from bottom.
His manager Dean Smith said: “He’s getting to where we want him to be and had a CT Scan today to make sure there’s a full union of the fracture. He trained with us, we’ve not had him training in contact sessions yet, he’s been involved in possession and shape work. He feels really good which is the important thing. He’ll be pushing me for Chelsea [on 14 March], that’s for sure.
“Once he gets on that training ground he’ll move quickly and he’s certainly progressing quickly now. Obviously, there will be a lot of pressure put on him because of the pressure on him before his injury, but we have to make sure he’s right when he actually comes back.”
David Moyes calls for 'British Cup' to replace League Cup
West Ham’s manager has responded to Uefa president Aleksander Ceferin’s suggestion that the League Cup be scrapped with an alternative.
David Moyes said: “I’ve always thought we should have included Scotland. I think it could do with a revamp, maybe there’s a way that then a certain amount of Premier League teams wouldn’t enter.
“I understand the fixture pile-up and there are an awful lot of games for the top players … a lot who will be playing in the Euros and just off the back of playing long seasons, Saturday-Wednesday, and are then expected to start again in the Premier League with only two or three weeks’ break, so I don’t think that’s correct. The players are going to have no time off at all.
“It’s in need of some way of being revamped. Call it the British Cup. A couple of teams from Northern Ireland, maybe two of the Welsh League clubs.”
Here’s Andy Hunter’s full story on Liverpool’s goalkeeping gah …
“Unfortunately Ali is out,” Klopp said. “He had a little incident in training before the Chelsea game. We all thought it was nothing and it was clear he would not play anyway; the plan was he was on the bench.
“There, we thought: ‘Come on, we don’t have to take any risks’ so left him out of the squad. [There was a] scan the next day and they found something so now he is out. It is a muscle, slight, in the hip region. A small muscle.”
Asked to confirm the length of the goalkeeper’s absence, the Liverpool manager said: “Next week no, that means Atlético. I don’t want to say no [to the Everton game] but I don’t know if he will be available. He is not available for tomorrow and then the next week. We have to judge the situation anew. I would say after the international break 100%. Whatever we can get before that we will see.”
More on Chelsea’s injuries. Willian feels Mateo Kovacic’s achilles pain and requires a late fitness test. Jorginho starts a two-match league suspension after racking up 10 yellows this season, while N’Golo Kanté still has adductor ouch and Tammy Abraham’s ankle knack continues.
Lampard said: “It hasn’t been spoken about that much, but we’ve had probably the worst injury list of certainly the top group of the table I think, lots of numbers injured, important players injured, Kanté, Loftus-Cheek etc.”
However Lampard added that Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Christian Pulisic played in an “in-house game” at Chelsea’s training ground earlier today: “It was great to see Christian get some minutes, he’s still short of match fitness, but it’s the first time the injury’s gone up to a level to get him on a big pitch in a relatively competitive match, so it’s a big step forward hopefully. Ruben played half of that game himself, and is trying to find match fitness.”
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Dominic Calvert-Lewin is just a pen, paper and photographer away from committing more of his life to Everton, says Carlo Ancelotti.
The club this week nailed down defender Mason Holgate on a five-year deal, and the Italian said: “Holgate is going to be the future of this club. It’s important for him and for us to renew the contract, to have stability here with this player.
“We are close to Dominic Calvert-Lewin also and I hope he’s going to sign soon. The idea for the future is really clear for us.”
Pep Guardiola says derby rivals Manchester United are “getting better” under Ole Gunnar Solskjær …
“The players follow him – the commitment they have – and it’s getting better,” he said. “Right now maybe is the best moment in the season there … I always have a great opinion and a good respect for Man United.”
For Covid-19 corner, he offered: “We try to do our normal life and when the authorities, the club, the politicians or the doctors go to say what you’re going to do, we’re going to do [it].”
Our first few match previews are in for tomorrow’s matches …
Frank Lampard has been asked about coronavirus things, and how it could affect how Chelsea approach the rest of the season, starting with Everton on Sunday …
“It wouldn’t affect anything in terms of preparation – you would take on the opposition in front of you. Obviously it would affect the atmosphere, clearly. It obviously takes a lot away from the game when you don’t have fans in the stadium. There are some things that are more important, and if that’s the path that’s chosen by the authorities then you would go with that.”
Lampard is injury-hit, with up to nine players out, after Callum Hudson-Odoi suffered a recurrence of his hamstring twang on his return to full training. Mateo Kovacic is also sidelined with an achilles problem.
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Eric Dier will play against Burnley, says Mourinho
Afternoon all. Just emptied a tin of Vim over Mr Glendenning’s workstation, but straight off the bat there’s this just in from Spurs, in follow-up to this from earlier … Dier will play against Burnley tomorrow.
José Mourinho, when asked if the versatile midfielder would feature, said: “Of course, the only thing that matters is nothing really big happened and secondly he played so, so well. Of course he is going to play. The only thing I can say is that if I see something happen to my son I would do the same. I would think two seconds about doing the same.”
In further keeper news, Hugo Lloris is a mild doubt for tomorrow’s game but is expected to play.
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Important handover news: Stuart Goodwin will be taking over for an hour or so. Please be gentle with him.
Liverpool's Alisson ruled out of Bournemouth match
Liverpool news: Andy Hunter is at Jurgen Klopp’s press conference and brings reasonably good tidings from the Liverpool manager.
Jordan Henderson out v Bournemouth but should be back for Atletico, says Klopp. Alisson also out for a week after damaging hip muscle before Chelsea game.
— Andy Hunter (@AHunterGuardian) March 6, 2020
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Fitba: Interested in seeing what happened when a famously dour, occasionally belligerent, crotchety and temperamental Scotsman sat down to interview the manager of his national football team? Ewan Murray sat down with Steve Clarke so you could find out ...
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Fitba: Steven Gerrard admits he is facing one of his most difficult periods in football - but says that challenging himself was exactly why he opted to begin his managerial career with Rangers.
After advancing to the last 16 of the Europa League by beating Braga over two legs, his side has lost twice in five days - their Scottish Cup exit against Hearts followed by a home defeat by Hamilton.
“The whole 20 months has been challenging but of course when results are not good enough in a short space of time there’s more heat and more pressure on myself, which I accept,” he said, when asked if this was the most challenging week of his professional career.
“In many ways, yeah, it probably has been challenging but even when we were winning, this job is challenging because you have got to do everything you can to continue that. This is one of the most challenging jobs out there. I knew that and it hasn’t disappointed.”
Meanwhile in Barcelona: Over in La Liga, Barcelona have the chance to regain top spot on Saturday night when they host Real Sociedad at Camp Nou. But in the buildup to the match their manager, Quique Setien, has been bogged down by chatter about the behaviour of his assistant Eder Sarabia, who has made headlines with his language during Barca’s 2-0 defeat by Real Madrid. Setien has since apologised to his Barcelona squad.
He told El Periodico: “We apologised to everyone [in our squad], we cannot behave like that. We don’t like to see things like this, we have committed an error and we should try to avoid something like this happening again. This situation has affected me a lot, because I am concerned about the image of the club. We need to take care of that image, because we can be criticised for substitutions, tactics, etc, but not for our behaviour.”
For a sample of effing and jeffing in question, click here.
Burnley v Tottenham Hotspur: James Tarkowski has rejected the suggestion Burnley’s chances of recording yet another clean sheet when Tottenham visit Turf Moor this weekend will be easier in the absence of Harry Kane and Son Heung-min.
The frontline pair are both injured and will miss Spurs’ trip to the north-west at teatime on Saturday as they look to arrest a slump that has seen them lose ground on the Premier League top-four.
Burnley could leapfrog them with a win following a six-match unbeaten run that has carried them into the top half of the table, in part thanks to the effectiveness of their back-line. On 11 occasions this season, Burnley’s opponents have drawn a blank in front of goal, but Tarkowski is not taking another clean sheet for granted.
“Yes and no!” said Tarkowski, upon being asked if now was a good time to be playing Tottenham. “Maybe there’s more expectation on us because they are missing two of their big hitters.
“When they are missing Harry and Son then obviously there may be a chance there for us to put a good performance in. I don’t think it makes easier. Maybe from your perspective it does but not for me, no.
“There is still a player in front of me I have got to stop from scoring goals and there is a team of 11 players we have got to go and beat.”
Tarkowski, fellow centre-half Ben Mee and goalkeeper Nick Pope have started every match in the top-flight this term, bolstering the impression that familiarity has bred success. “We’ve had quite a consistent back four this season which is nice,” he said. “The full-backs have chopped and changed a little bit but me, Ben and Popey have been there all season and that sort of consistency helps. It sort of comes more natural with each other, we know each other’s game, I expect where Ben is going to be and he expects where I am going to be at times and we cover round each other.”
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@maxrushden @bglendenning Why stop at handshakes? I have an idea... #COVIDー19 pic.twitter.com/JWWEjPvlgB
— ImTheBlueGuy 🇪🇺🇬🇧 (@ImTheBlueGuy) March 6, 2020
More on that Jesse Lingard abuse: As we mentioned earlier, Manchester United have launched an investigation into the shocking abuse aimed at Jesse Lingard following Thursday’s FA Cup fifth-round victory at Derby.
The 27-year-old was among six changes made for the 3-0 win against his former club at Pride Park, where video emerged on social media showing the midfielder being abused as he made his way onto the team coach.
Lingard is heard being sworn at repeatedly as he signs autographs, before boarding the coach as another fan shouts “zero goals and zero assists”. United team-mate Luke Shaw confronts supporters from the doorway of the bus and what appears to be a racist remark is allegedly uttered by someone waiting outside the coach.
You can see and hear the footage below, but please be advised that it is not safe for work and contains lots of loud “effing” and “jeffing”, as well as other depressingly unsavoury and unimaginative, possibly racist abuse.
Jesse? pic.twitter.com/tShnO0lixi
— Manchester United (@United__Live) March 6, 2020
The fair play handshake... Never has a more meaningless phrase ever been uttered in the context of football.
Covid-19 aside, an enforced handshake or one out of habit is an empty gesture that diminishes both fair play and handshakes.
Sheffield United v Norwich City: Two of the three promoted teams meet on Saturday and a difference in transfer spending is not the whole story behind their divergent paths, writes Paul Wilson.
Brighton news: Brighton boss Graham Potter intends to take it one match at a time as his team prepare for a daunting run of fixtures which could decide their Premier League fate.
This weekend’s trip to sixth-placed Wolves being followed by successive matches against Arsenal, Manchester United, Norwich, Liverpool and Manchester City. It is a formidable challenge awaiting the south-coast side, but Potter prefers not to look too far ahead or worry about what could happen elsewhere.
“We have to focus on ourselves and not think about external things too much. You can’t look any further than the next game, otherwise you overthink,” Potter said. “Rather than worrying about what might or might not happen we will make sure our attention is on our game.”
Potter knows just what a tough ask it will be to leave Molineux with a good result. “They have done amazingly well and full credit has to go to the manager for getting them promoted and then stable in the Premier League,” he said. “Wolves have been on a good European run and maintained their level. They are well organised and are competing for a top-four spot. They have a really dangerous front three and have a good mix of attacking qualities.”
EFL statement: “As a result of the ongoing concerns posed the by Coronavirus outbreak and following specific medical advice, the Fair Play handshake between players and match officials will not take place at this weekend’s EFL matches and until further notice.
“Whilst the Government guidance does remain unchanged, a decision has been taken on medical advice and as a precautionary measure. Matchday operations at EFL grounds are set to continue this weekend with Clubs being advised to take appropriate prevention measures as per the Government guidance.
“It is understood, however, that individual Clubs may take decisions at a local level to help mitigate the risk of the virus spreading further ahead of this weekend’s matches.
“The EFL continues to remain in regular dialogue with the Government regarding the ongoing developments and is being appraised on a regular basis of developments that could potentially impact our Clubs and Competitions
“We will continue to provide EFL Clubs with updates and advice as it is issued to ensure that they have all the relevant up-to date information so that they can continue to advise their players, staff and supporters.
“These matters are subject to constant change and we will update as appropriate.”
Football League drops pre-match handshakes
Coronavirus update: The Football League is to follow the Premier League in banning pre-match handshakes between sets of players in a bid to halt the spread of the virus. As gestures go, it could scarcely be more pointless, but it does at least allow both governing bodies to be seen to be doing something.
Neither the Premier League nor the EFL have mentioned if they will also be forbidding players from spitting, blowing their noses, screaming in each other’s faces. For the time being at least, they will also allow tens of thousands of spectators to sit together in close proximity to each other and the pitch, coughing, sneezing and shouting.
Coronavirus is spread via droplets from the nose and mouth and can be transmitted on to the hands and passed on via a handshake.
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former Denmark International Thomas Kahlenberg has been diagnosed with COVID-19, and attended the last Brøndby match, so everyone he came into contact with at the club is now in quarantine https://t.co/PJ56cZaJWC
— Jonathan Fisher (@fishplums) March 6, 2020
Danish football goes behind closed doors for March
Coronavirus update: Denmark has become the latest country to announce that all football matches will be played behind closed doors for the rest of March. The country has also banned events that involve gatherings of over 1,000 people.
All sport in Italy, including Serie A games, will be played behind closed doors until 3 April in an effort to contain the disease, the government has said.
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Manchester United news: The club have condemned what appears to be racist abuse suffered by Jesse Lingard after Thursday’s FA Cup win at Pride Park, and will contact Derby for help in investigating the matter, writes Jamie Jackson.
Women’s football: England’s Lionesses continue to be nowhere near as good as their delusional manager Phil Neville seems to think they are and were beaten by the USA in their SheBelieves Cup opener in Orlando yesterday. Suzanne Wrack was there to see England get swatted aside by a half-fit team of Americans interrupting their off season to play in the tournament.
Crystal Palace news: Crystal Palace manager Roy Hodgson has signed a one-year contract extension that will keep him at the club until the end of the 2020-21 campaign, the Premier League club have announced. More as we get it ... although I’m not sure how much more there is to add.
The news does put an end to uncertainty surrounding Hodgson’s future at the club, following speculation that he was very displeased indeed by their lack of activity in the January transfer window.
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Newcastle news: Steve Bruce fears it is “pretty inevitable” that Premier League games will be played behind closed doors as a result of the coronavirus outbreak.
The authorities in Italy have introduced a ban on mass gatherings which has hit sports events, and Bruce believes it is only a matter of time before the same happens in the UK.
Speaking at his pre-match press conference on Friday morning, he said: “It’s hard to imagine, isn’t it? But obviously, they’re doing it now in Italy and it’s something we’re probably going to face. We all know football is a way out for everybody, but people’s lives are at stake and we’ve got to go by the authorities. But it looks pretty inevitable that could be on the cards.”
The potential for some respite then, for disillusioned Newcastle fans who remain unhappy with their team’s style of play under Bruce.
Newcastle duo ink new deals: Jonjo Shelvey, 28, and Matt Ritchie, 30, have both signed new three-year contracts which will keep them at the Premier League club until 2023.
Our chief football correspondent writes: David Hytner has penned an interesting comment piece on the furore surrounding Eric Dier’s spirited, fraternal foray into the White Hart Lane stands in the wake of Tottenham’s FA Cup defeat at the hands of Norwich City on Wednesday night.
While no supporters were harmed in the making of this controversy, Dier almost certainly regrets his actions and is apparently resigned to whatever ban he inevitably receives from the Football Association for angrily making his way over 15 rows of seats with intent. His manager, however, has stood by him and urged Tottenham to do the same.
Meanwhile, Dier’s rush of blood to the head has intensified the focus on fan behaviour, specifically the behaviour of those entitled dunderheads who think buying a ticket for a football match entitles them to scream toxic abuse at the players putting on the show. Read on and feel free to add your two cents in the comments section below ...
This weekend’s Premier League fixtures
The Manchester derby is probably the pick of the bunch, although the eye is also draw to wobbling Liverpool’s game against Bournemouth at Anfield and Tottenham’s trip to Turf Moor as they attempt to halt a run of four consecutive defeats.
The only manager in football history ever to lose players through injury, José Mourinho has been getting his excuses in early, having told the BBC the club hierarchy must choose between prioritising the weekend’s clash with Burnley or the upcoming Champions League visit to Leipzig.
“In this moment I have to think about what’s next and I have to speak to my club because I think some of these boys to have a chance to fight Tuesday for a Champions League position they just can’t play on Saturday,” he said, somewhat bafflingly.
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Coronavirus latest ...
The spread of coronavirus means it is likely matches will be played behind closed doors this month, writes Paul MacInnes.
Sasha Ryazantsev, the Everton chief financial officer, said banning fans from games in an attempt to slow the spread of the virus would be a decision imposed on clubs. However, with Italian authorities having taken the decision to play Serie A games behind closed doors until April, the possibility of something similar here is increasing.
“It would be a forced decision rather than one we would proactively engage in,” said Ryazantsev at the FT Business of Football Summit in London. “But the whole situation goes far beyond the world of sport. Nobody wants to play behind closed doors and I don’t think it’s inevitable that it will happen. But we feel it is quite likely it may happen in the coming weeks.”
Something for the weekend ...
Welcome to your one-stop shop for all the news and build-up ahead of another weekend’s piping hot football action. With assorted managers scheduled to host press conferences ahead of the latest round of fixtures, we’ll bring you all the news that’s fit to print and almost certainly a whole lot more that isn’t. Don’t touch that dial. Or mouse. Or ... em, touchscreen. Or your face. And for the love of humanity, wash your hands!
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Some massive games in the Championship this weekend too. Yorkshire derby, Fulham away to Bristol City and Charlton Boro at the bottom. As a partial follower of Leeds I think this weekend is massive. If they can win their next two they should be able to build a cushion that can take the pressure off. Problem is historically they've always slipped up when on the verge of pulling away from the chasing pack and home against relegation strugglers are Leeds' particular favourite bottle job. They just cannot deal with teams who play with men behind the ball. If Fulham can get the win and Leeds do drop points it blows the race wide open but if they drop points and Leeds can find a way of farting the ball into the goal one more time than Huddersfield and West Brom don't slip up against a Swansea side who've gone off the boil at the worst possible time, Fulham will have start thinking about the prospect of another foray into the playoffs with Brentford up next.