Hello good people, trust you and your families are staying safe!
The so-called “South African variant” of Covid-19 is supposed to be hugely more infectious than the original virus, but our daily rate remains relatively low, so it must mean we’re behaving ourselves generally and adhering to Covid safety protocols.
It’s encouraging, just wish those in charge would get a frikkin’ move on with purchase and distribution of vaccines.
Despite much bad behaviour in England, the sheer size of the inoculation programme appears to be moving the country in the right direction.
So much so that ol’ Boris Johnson is on a mission to open stuff up sooner than anticipated.
According to reports, the last two games of the Premier League season will see up to 10 000 fans in stadiums!
The final day of the season is scheduled for May 23rd, but fans will be seen in the grounds over the last two rounds to keep it fair, giving each club a “home” attended match. As it’s all panning out, Fulham, Brighton and Newcastle look like they’ll be jockeying all the way to the end in the relegation battle.
As for the top four, it’s possibly the tightest (and least predictable) in recent history. A crowd at Chelsea’s crunch last game at Stamford Bridge against Leicester would be significant in as far as home advantage goes.
Let’s hope things go to plan (despite getting so used to watching football in empty stadiums) it would be a great way to end the season with a bit of hope going into the next campaign.
On the subject of change, interesting to see that the VAR is set for a revamp.
There’ll no doubt be a couple of rule adjustments, but it also looks likely that (similarly to rugby) we’ll all get to hear the conversations between ref on pitch and bunch of nerds at VAR HQ.
It’s not clear how it will work yet, like will it be broadcast at the ground for all to hear, or will interested fans tune in via an earpiece?
What is clear is that it’s a step to bring the controversial system on-side following constant accusations that it’s not being used properly, while distancing fans.
Anyway, to the football itself and it’s back to the Champions League tonight and tomorrow as City and Chelsea take leads into their second leg matches, before a big FA Cup weekend, featuring a couple of great games.
It’s Everton, City on Saturday and Leicester v Man Utd on Sunday!
Oh, sh!t how could I forget to give a shout-out to Erik Lamela.
Like all of you football heads out there, Lamela has always had my respect as a footballer, he’s properly skilful and for me hugely underrated, and what a lovely goal to watch on Sunday.
Yes, it’s not the most difficult skill, but to pull it off so perfectly in a split second in the box, surrounded by defenders, in the middle of the north London derby!
Stay safe people, chat next week.