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Wilshere asks the biggest re-start question of all

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Jack Wilshere has asked the question most fans want answered: How can you play football and social distance at the same time?”

It’s the biggest question of all and one which on the face of it is unanswerable as the Premier League continues to try finding ways of getting the season finished.

They will be watching the Bundesliga with great interest as it swings back into action and that will give British fans a big opportunity of learning what they can expect from a restart.

But Wilshere has made it clear that players have plenty of anxieties as they prepare for a return to action which may no get started, could be interrupted and end with matches left to play if health issues get in the way.

The Hammers midfielder: “No player will go back if it’s not safe to do so. I can’t see how you can play football and social distance at the same time.

‘These are the questions that people need to ask and need to be answered. It’s as simple as that.’ 

Meanwhile PFA chief Gordon Taylor admitted on Wednesday that he thinks the Project Restart plans are achievable if the correct assurances can be made to the players.

‘We’ve got the best possible people available to answer the questions on different issues like testing, if someone tests positive, spitting, social distancing and BAME players with regard to the data which suggestions they are more susceptible,’ he said.

‘It’s about giving the reassurances to players and what they are asking to make sure everything that can be done is being done as far as possible.

However, such as  Wilshere, Sergio Aguero, Manuel Lanzini, Glenn Murray and no doubt more do not currently believe they’ve got that.

And Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder has already made it clear that he will respect the wishes of any player in his squad who says he’s not happy to go ahead.

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Hugh Southon is a lifelong Iron and the founding editor of ClaretandHugh. He is a national newspaper journalist of many years experience and was Bobby Moore's 'ghost' writer during the great man's lifetime. He describes ClaretandHugh as "the Hammers daily newspaper!"

Follow on Twitter @hughsouthon

5 comments

  • The Cat says:

    It beats me why we all do a dance every time these idiots in control of the game release a nonsense statement. It is complete madness and Jack is spot on and these pound sign, tunnel vision fools are blind to common-sense.
    If all of this were to disappear tomorrow and it was back to normal….. there are a great many supporters who have had enough of the game being led by these donkey’s and probably wouldn’t turn up to games on Saturday…… It’s bloody draining!

  • Dusty Miller says:

    The scenario is farcical and Looking like the seasons gonna be finished with one big round of every team playing a penalty shoot out, with every fixture remaining against each other that’s left???,As so to avoid social contact to appease the TV companies that really run the game and don’t care if a player falls ill or even dies seemingly ??? The smoking gun of threatening relegation to 3 teams anyway , to the chairman of the bottom 6 team’s seems to be the fear factor that’s making common sense being thrown out of the window ??? And looking at Liverpool there ok to starrt again with it but not for their Ladies team??? Who face relegation??

  • Alan says:

    If all players/staff/ground staff/broadcasting etc are tested upon arrival at training (whilst still in the car park) and again upon arrival at matches then I guess there is nothing to social distance from. If that’s what the plan is then they will be much safer than the majority of the rest of us.

  • Graham Watts says:

    Interesting to read Norwich comments on BBC Sport web site this am.
    If Premier goes ahead and finishes season and Championship does not then how can you have relegation from Premier if Championship not playing to same rules. Could be fun listening to discussions on that little dilemma!

  • Alan says:

    Jack has been playing football and social distancing for many years!

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