Football has only been missing for about three weeks, yet it feels like months. Who knew we all relied on our pastime as much?
Last weekend marked the start of the Tajik League, I am seriously tempted to ‘support’ a team and see what occurs out in the Asian leagues. The ten-team, top-flight might offer me some form of temporary solace. Dushanbe-83 instantly leap from the page as my new idols, I have no idea about them, but imagine this is how it feels for those fans from afar who ‘choose’ United, Liverpool or Arsenal.
Forget that for a moment. Yesterday I watched the Virtual Grand-National and couldn’t help but wonder what Virtual EFL would bring, whether it would be legitimate? I doubt it, but I need my football fix.
I play Football Manager and have done so since 1993 when it was known as Championship Manager. Few could argue that it is the most realistic management simulation on the market, especially now it involves training and set-play routines. In fact, some pro clubs have admitted to using it for scouting.
I am not suggesting the league should use FM and other virtual games to simulate a finale; it would cause chaos. I want to see live football back ASAP, I truly miss it. Yet, at the same time, I no longer know what to expect. It is no secret that I am an Ipswich Town fan and it is no secret that Ipswich have been having a bit of a poor second half of the season, dropping from top to tenth since the turn of the year with discontent spreading across the terraces.
The unexpected break has caused a split amongst Ipswich fans, many of whom are unhappy with the management of the team and the ownership of the club. This break has eased the pressure on Paul Lambert and Marcus Evans but only temporarily. Eventually, football will return and, regardless, Ipswich will either return in 10th or still in League One, starting again with the season null and void.
Personally I would prefer the season completed but the health and safety of the population are paramount, and I do not want a return before it is safe to do so. However, as widely discussed in the media, players contracts expire in June, which could see a very different squad return to the pitch, should the players exercise their contractual terms.
Our colleagues here at The72 are doing some wonderful ‘players out of contract’ pieces at all clubs and, if these players were to walk away before the next kick of the ball, many teams could be unrecognisable, and surely this could have a huge effect on the season finale.
With all that said, if Ipswich were to take to the pitch in July, possibly behind closed doors to finish their season, and six or seven of this season’s regulars were not there, would it still be the same Ipswich? On paper, yes, but if the players who got Ipswich in their current predicament walk away without seeing the job through, I would feel a bit cheated.
But before all this occurs, I need to get my Dushanbe-83 replica shirt, with Elchibek Rashidbekov’s name and number on the back… COME ON 83!!
