On the shortest day on Planet Fitba, commonsense seemed in short supply in the wake of the new Covid restrictions.
I was pleasantly surprised when some clear thinking emerged from the Parkhead Boardroom.
The case that they make is unanswerable.
St Mirren also has a strong case.
Of course, whatever the situation, the Ibrox klanbase can always be relied upon to lower the tone.
I would hate to live inside the head that immediately reached for such a squalid conspiracy theory.
The new regulations announced today by Scotland’s First Minister would strongly suggest that a circuit breaker is required to contain the new Omicron variant.
Then bringing forward the scheduled winter break makes a considerable amount of sense.
This is where the legendary Bill Shankly was wrong.
Life and Death are always more important than football.
A few years back I would spend Christmases with a relative in a rather salubrious part of Surrey and to help out I would do the Saturday morning football run, popular due to William and Harry’s interest in the game. Sitting on the side lines I would hear, almost constantly, the coaches, whom I was told proudly were from some team in the English third division, shout ” good skills” if one of the children managed to pass a ball without falling over. Every year, we would have our post-Christmas parents versus children football match and once when I nutmegged a 7 year old girl, I heard the shout “good skills” from whence I had no idea but it still brings a smile to my face when I think about it.
It now makes me wonder what exactly coaches, Kennedy and Strachan do at Parkhead.
Do they:
Teach “good skills” which would require them to be more skillful than Rogic et al.
Try to bring out the talent the individual has;
Communicate the manager’s ideas and tactics.
All three?
However, it seems to me the coaching runs contrary to Ange’s desire for a fast passing game as every player has the same technique when he receives the ball and that is to take one touch to control the ball and then look up to find a player to pass to. This happens even if the player has teammates unmarked and it would seem simpler just to pass first time.
For Gawds sake doesn’t anyone in power use their brains, instead of the sh1t that comes out of their mouths. Cancel all football today, now, prompt. Then implement the winter shutdown. For Gawds sake grow a pair and do what is best, for football and in turn you’ll be looking after fans and people generally
The number of SPFL fixtures allocated for December by SPFL was bizarre. Even without current Covid concerns December is a month where people are least likely to attend football matches due to other social and financial concerns not to mention weather. This issue was raised by Calumn Davidson but then again who would expect those who run game to listen to managers let alone fans.
It is also interesting to note that European managers are questioning English Premiership (Sky?) obsession with high number of games over Xmas & New Year on grounds of player welfare.
ive noticed on twitter that Hearts and Dundee Utd have also requested the mid winter break be brought forward. More clubs are getting behind this, and for good reason. Player safety, fan safety, and club profits would be impacted if it goes ahead as normal. The latter is probably the biggest reason for the request I guess
Why not call the season early like they did last season? Oh wait Celtic are not top and looking for title 9.5.
James Thomas
They didn’t call last season early. That was played to a conclusion with disgraceful scenes at Ibrox and George Sq x 2. Police and the general public abused and assaulted. Off duty police officer abusing the public from the plinth in the square. Infighting within factions of the support. All just high spirits we understand.
The season that was called early was with 8 games to go when there was no prospect of finishing the season. No vaccine and complete unknowns about the virus. But don’t let that stop you trying to make some point. When that season was called Celtic were going for 9 in a row unless you are aware of getting 1.5 titles in one season.
Anyone with half a brain would know that. So away ye go and construct an intelligent point.
Action man from Santa this year? Don’t eat those selection boxes all at once.
JS
Birdbrain !
“We are strongly opposed to playing games behind closed doors, Rangers fans have stuck by our club in the darkest of times. Their loyalty will not be forgotten and they will not be left behind.”
Stewart Robertson, March 2020.
O’Donnell variant? God above
If this extract from the Daily Record tonight is factually correct;
“…The 10 [SPL] members would be able to pass a motion to move the break, but it’s understood any decision will come down to Sky Sports agreeing…”
then it’s simply further proof – if needed – that nobody at Hampden really governs Scottish football.
Doesn’t start too well for”factually correct”. It depends on context as 10 out of THE 12 members may be sufficient but there are 12 members.
He who pays the piper calls the tune.
Once you sell your soul (at a very cheap price) you have lost all credibility.
Just look at night of Scotland vs Denmark (sell out) when viewers in Scotland could watch England live on STV or Wales live on S4C.
The people running (selling out) game in Scotland have the Scottish Cronge writ large and make you want to weep.
The
The lack of common sense in the higher echelons of Scottish football is mind blowing. Not postponing the St Mirren v Celtic tomorrow night is ridiculous and if the clubs don’t agree to bring the winter break forward by one week then the baws burst.
If we’re ordered to continue to Jan 2nd then I hope BIg Ange can motivate the team in empty stadiums a lot more than NL could last season. I have a feeling he will and I don’t think there’s anything to fear from the Ibrox mob.
At time of writing…I am advised that St. Mirren’s “postponement” request has been denied by the SPFL.
Given the circumstances surrounding all of this…that is an absolute disgrace.
Whether we are “advantaged” by this….should become totally irrelevant.
Nobody wants a Club, ravaged by the virus, being forced to scrape together ” a team”…just for the sake of it.
Their games should be postponed now.
The FM, quite rightly, continually bangs on about the threat of Omicron….
Well…she should grasp the nettle now…and stop all football.
I can only hope that our Club’s request for a change to the winter break is supported by the majority of Clubs…and common sense prevails.
Who more than anyone prefers to play in empty stadia?
Fewer witnesses to the actions of their twelfth player
The winter break only needs to be brought forward by two days,then re-arrange games missed
I’m just surprised that the Ibrox club hasn’t yet demanded that the SPFL season is called now, ensuring that the Champions League riches fall into their lap.
No doubt their little helpers in the media will soon be pushing this line.