It's on the rise, no doubt, and our own outbreak needs to be investigated. But I expect this wave of accusations towards city will subside once the wider football world sees the extent of the issue this time around. We won't be alone over the winter months, and to those suggesting we were trying to gain some kind of advantage in postponing a match against opponents with key players out injured, at a time we had come into some form, head hole is for speaking and bottom hole is for wiping, not the other way around.
For us, if the bubbles and settings are feared compromised then we have to enforce a break, as we have done, deep clean and then probably minimum 7 days before we even think of resuming. Clearly the club didn't want this to happen, and it's important for us and the FA that we try to understand what has happened. If we followed all protocol, or was there a breach? If this new strain is the cause, is it undetectable for a number of days? If so then playing every 3 days becomes not just silly but plain dangerous.
I think it terms of contact tracing and giving clarity there we can and should fall in line with that, but given that unnamed players and their families are affected, and may not wish to be named, Everton's statement is not one we can fully comply with. Especially as there wasn't a hint of a get well soon in their statement.
For Chelsea, rather than demanding the game goes ahead so they can have a better chance at three points, the focus needs to be on understanding what has happened and what the risk is.
Something you can always say about pep is he always wanted to be the best by beating the best, at their best, by being even better. I think some of that perspective and sportsmanship would carry well with our opposition right now, after all it's only a feckin football game or two in a piss poor season, with no fans, VAR undermining the games' credibility and enjoyment, against the setting of a global pandemic and ensuing economic meltdown which will affect millions and millions again. But hey, we're the immoral ones with oil rich arab owners, if only we had one of those whiter than white american businemen types, eh? Never catch them involved in selling arms to restricted countries or regimes, or money laundering for terrorists, or employing tax avoidance schemes.
From here we either resume as normal if we can confirm the problem is contained and premises deep cleaned, and I'd expect the league cup at the earliest as an outside chance, or the situation snowballs and more clubs are affected and an enforced mid season break takes place.
