There’s something about English football. Don’t get me wrong, I’ll watch a game anywhere. Maybe it’s indirect favouritism to my local game, but the pace of the EPL, the exciting nature of the league (granted Liverpool have walked it, but we have so much strength in depth compared to Europe), the physicality which is now being evened out more and more with technical skill. It’s magical.
It all returned last night, so, as we move closer to getting completely out of lock down and closer to donning the Black of FC7 again, it seemed apt, to have a few words on Project Restart’s fruition.
So, what happened?
The first 2 games were Aston Villa v Sheff Utd and Man City v Arsenal, there was much up for grabs. After a minute’s silence to remember the lives lost from Covid19, the referee blew the whistle to kick off the first game since a 100 days ago.
Then a nice surprise.
Suddenly, the players, coaching staff, refereeing officials, and medical staff all took a knee in recognition of the Black Lives Matter. The world was watching. And the English Premier League delivered. A poignant show of solidarity with the oppressed people of the world. It was a powerful moment.
Onto the game, the EPL, has learnt a lot from Germany and had optional crowd chants. They avoided the cheap looking fake crowd graphics and it generally worked. I thought in the Aston Villa game, the chants were a bit on the quiet side. The volume knob was turned up during the City match, which was much better. Personally, I thought the crowd chants were a little out of sync with reality but teething issues are bound to occur.
This is a new world we are living in.
Unfortunately, controversy reared its head in the first game. A blatant goal, the ball clearly crossing the line. As both sets of players waited for the ref to whistle a goal, nothing came. The ref profusely pointing to his wrist equipment and how it hadn’t indicated a goal. Something had gone wrong. Because the officials didn’t alert VAR, the Stockley Park posse couldn’t get involved either. Sheffield United were denied a clear-cut goal. One that would deny them 5th spot and a potential Champions League berth.
The 2nd game was much better, Arsenal, to be fair made a good fist of it. But their failings began to slowly show. David Luiz fall from top defender to major liability was on full display as he was hideously at fault for Man City’s first goal and then got sent off and conceded a penalty for their 3rd goal.
The Gunners were well beaten, and it was poetic that Raheem Sterling got the 1st goal of this new lockdown era football. A man who has matured exponentially in recent years and has been vocal on racism in the game and in society in general.
English football is back!
It was fun, full of controversy and we wouldn’t have it any other way.
On Wednesday, the daily Coronavirus government update, came from UK sports minister, Oliver Dowden. He applauded the EPL return, and talked that plans were in place for fans returning to stadiums for the new stadium. We still haven’t completed the current season, but there will be little rest before we kick on, so that’s not that far into the future.
He also talked about a staged return of community sport and how important it was. Early July was mooted as a start date. What this would entail is not clear. I can’t imagine social soccer coming back just yet, what with social distancing in place. There’s government talk of reducing this from 2 metres to 1 metre.
Personally, I think once most businesses and hospitality outlets open on 4th July including pubs, then it’s going to get tougher to enforce social distancing. I think August could be a realistic time frame for us getting out and having a proper kickaround. Ultimately it has to be safe to do so.
But we are raring to go. My ankle and op woes are behind me. My running routine has shed over 1 stone currently as I motor on. I’ve noticed a lot of change and my general fitness and zest for life has multiplied. Benlander has been hitting 10-15k runs daily. Frodo, Jumbo and Tableau are running regularly.
We are ready! Are you?
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