The Hammers stance to vote against the use of neutral ground behind doors for Project Restart could seriously backfire.
The Premier League insist that playing at neutral grounds is the only way to restart football safety which pre-approved by the Government. Should the 92 remaining fixtures of this season not be fulfilled then the Premier League will need to agree on a way to decide league places including who is relegated.
The option of declaring the season null and void and expunging all results seems unlikely with the EFL chairman threatening legal action and the FA having the special power to block any attempt to cancel relegations and promotions from the Championship.
Promoting West Brom and Leeds to an enlarged 22 team Premier League also seems unlikely due to extra fixtures required in an already crowded season and sharing out the broadcast money twenty-two ways which would leave existing PL members massively out of pocket financially so also a non-starter.
That leaves three options:
End the Premier League season in the current league table positions. Norwich, Villa and Bournemouth are relegated with West Ham safe on 16th. Aston Villa have argued they have played one less game than anyone else and a win would lift them out of the relegation zone so it is unlikely to be used.
Decide the Premier League position on Points per Game like the French Ligue 1, again Norwich, Villa and Bournemouth are relegated with West Ham safe on 16th on goal difference
The final method is ‘Weighed Points per Game’ and that method would seriously backfire West Ham and end in certain relegation.
The method said to be favored by the EFL for League one and two as it is considered fairer than the normal points per game as it looks at away and home PPG.
The problem with the latter method is only West Ham are disadvantaged with Bournemouth surviving. It could be difficult for the Hammers to avoid other clubs voting for this solution as it doesn’t affect them.
I feel that what is currently disadvantaging WHU is also Karen Brady spouting off in the Sun as though she is a neutral – as has been repeatedly said for the good of the club she should just shut up
It’ll be a slam dunk. “Weighed points” and we are for the chop. Its dog eat dog. No one is bothered what’s fair, including us. Add that to the fact that no one particularly likes us because of the “tax payers funded stadium” and the League/FA whatever they call themselves having long memories regarding Tevez. (I cant see Sheff utd being to bothered about us). All in all it dont look to good. The whole point is people are still dying in hundreds per day. And the football authorities think it’s more important than that. Money makes the world go around as the song went. And that attitude proves it.
Another solution would be the bottom six clubs playing a round robin .. and teams between second and seventh playing a separate round robin .. the title should of course go to Liverpool .
If football can’t be restarted I can’t see a round-robin play off
In all fairness, what she has been saying in the Sun is merely a reflection of what people have been saying on this site.
Wont be accepted. if that is tried me thinks will end in court. Which it should. False conclusion to season-wont float.And will apply to championship clubs as well. Mayhem ! Also doesnt take into account who has to play whom.
As I have posted previously my Season Ticket will be flying in to the bin if they do anything other than abandon this season. Fixing positions other than by playing the games is a sham outcome; playing the games risks the health of the players, staff and perhaps supporters.
‘Weighted points per game’ seems the likely outcome if the season is abandoned. Neutral venues is the only option for the club’s survival. So the club opposes it. This is suicidal…At least we’d be in good shape to bounce back up with those excellent kids coming through. Maybe they could also get a young, dynamic manager, and sell to more intelligent owners.
How can this possibly be a fair solution? We’ve has the 2nd hardest home schedule in the PL so far (Norwich 1st) and the 3rd hardest away, based on current league positions. So we get relegated based on a quirk of scheduling?