The Return of The Championship

The big issue will be the mentality of the players. How the players approach playing just 9 games wiĺl be very interesting. Look at Lyle Taylor over at Charlton who is refusing to play because he feels that should he suffer an injury it could hinder a possible big money transfer.

Some of our players are on the verge of possible big money transfers and could think the same way.

Some or maybe all our players might be really concerned about returning due to Covid.

We have players who are playing for new contracts and will want to prove they should get one.

The majority of our players know that in just over 2 months they will still be at QPR and starting a new season in the Championship.

Hopefully all the players will show 100% commitment but whether playing 9 games in a short period will focus their mentality I'm not sure.

Now Confirmed today:

The season including play offs will run up until 3 August, a week later than previously indicated.

Sky will show 30 games live.

Games will be available for £10 on club websites. Season ticket holders will get it free.

www.qpr.co.uk/news/club-news/efl-statement-sky-sports-and-live-streams/

During this lock-down period I have been an avid fan of the QPR site's video playbacks of past games. If anyone is feeling a little 'down' at present and needs a fillip then can I suggest watching the New Year's Day game against Cardiff? Some times you lose but play well; some times you win but some players were poor in their performance; but that game saw every player at their best and giving a great team performance - oh and the goals were a little superb too! 

The dates of the final 9 fixtures (which remain in the same order) have been confirmed:

League one and League two teams have clearly made their decision based on whats more important (i) Social Profit or (ii) Financial Profit. Clubs at this level operate on a shoestring budget and most of their income is from fans attending games. They get little or no TV income.

As a result they have decided to stay safe and ensure that any stake holder associated with their clubs isnt exposed to playing football and possibly coming into contact with someone who has Covid. They have made a Social Profit decision.

Unsurprisingly the Premiership and the Championship look at things solely from a money perspective. The income from TV to the Premiership is huge and its needed to pay for the huge transfer fees, wages and bonuses. The Chairman (Its reported that last year, Daniel Levy of Spurs took home a basic salary of £4m plus a £3m bonus) of these clubs know that without the TV money their own salaries and bonuses are also threatened.

Whilst all business must look to start generating income asap it's also vital that the safety of everyone is paramount and that the most stringent of precautions are put in place. By maintaining Social Distancing your risk of catching the virus is reduced. It's already proven that you can be tested negative for Covid on several occasions but you still might have the virus. Micheal O Neill is a prime example, he had 5 negative tests and then on number 6 he has a confirmed case. Luckily it was confirmed just before Stokes friendly with Man Utd and the players were called back urgently. Whether he has infected the Stoke players and their families who knows.

I'm surprised to get a few extra pounds the Premiership and the Championship aren't suggesting that any fan who can prove they have tested negative will be allowed to attend matches. Maybe that's the next thing they come up with.


Football is a contact sport and in the current climate the risks to the players are high despite regular testing. Everything is a risk but some risks are much greater. Football and whether a team gets relegated or promoted is way down the list of priorities to a family who have lost a family member or friend to Covid.

If football really is more important than life or death then maybe Financial Profit in the current climate is the way to go!