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O'Neill: Resume the Season When It's Safe to Do So
Monday, 16th Mar 2020 16:02

Blues general manager of football operations Lee O’Neill says he’d prefer to see the season resumed and completed later in the year rather than any alternative option.

As things stand, the Premier League and EFL have been suspended until April 3rd but with the expectation the hiatus will probably be significantly longer.

UEFA will meet tomorrow to discuss the postponement of Euro 2020, as well as the future of the Champions League and Europa League, while the EFL and Premier League are also set to hold further talks regarding the situation.

There has been increasing speculation that the current campaign will be cancelled and declared void, however, O'Neill would like to see it continued at a later date.

“I think the season to be resumed as and when it safe to do so is my preferred option and I would think most supporters and clubs would see it that way,” O’Neill told the club site.

“There so many different factors that have to go into the equation though when we are talking about the different scenarios from a football point of view, a business point of view and a global point of view.

“It’s unknown territory for everyone. If you look at ending the season now, what would happen with promotion, relegation, the cups?

“For me, the easiest solution would be to pause the season and resume when it’s right to do so.

“The hardest thing to determine of course is how long that might take. No one knows that and that presents challenges.”

Town are currently 10th in League One with eight games left to play and are still in with a chance of making the play-offs despite being bottom of the form table on the last nine games.

As previously reported, the squad were given 10 days off after the EFL confirmed the suspension of fixtures on Friday. They are due to return on Tuesday 24th March.

Injured players are continuing to work with physios at Playford Road, although staffing numbers at the training ground are being kept to a minimum. Academy scholars are on a reduced timetable.

Office staff are largely continuing to work normally, while no one at the club is understood to have tested positive for the coronavirus.

Portman Road and Playford Road were both deep-cleaned over the course of the weekend.


Photo: TWTD



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Ipswichbusiness added 16:19 - Mar 16
Of course, that begs the question of when it will be safe to resume.

For example, if the season goes on past 30 June, what happens to player contracts and the transfer window? What happens about player fitness?
9

cat added 16:27 - Mar 16
Thanks for that nugget of useful info O'Neil, take rest of week off now as your task is complete!
6

runningout added 16:31 - Mar 16
It's ALL guess work!
12

r2d2 added 16:47 - Mar 16
Cant see why Town would care if the season resumed or not. Its not like we have any chance of making the play offs. What O Neil and co should be more worried about is finding a competent manager to take the team forward.
4

Saxonblue74 added 16:49 - Mar 16
Can't see this season being finished but who knows? Not important in the grand scheme of things.
9

Cakeman added 17:04 - Mar 16
I would think the season will soon be declared null and void. Will no doubt upset several but realistically can anyone really see the environment be safe enough in the next two or three months?
Even if it is the players are unlikely to be match fit enough to go straight into playing games.
I would have thought the best chance we have is to prepare for a new season starting in August. Hopefully that time frame may be achievable.
11

raycrawfordswig added 17:47 - Mar 16
Season ended in October
5

BeattiesBackPocket added 18:16 - Mar 16
He's a plum you can't just complete it once it hits a certain point what about those players who contracts finish end of the season they've no obligation to carry on playing, we have the Euros possibly if not cancelled if it's cancelled to end of April beginning of May it'll be voided
4

Northstandveteran added 19:19 - Mar 16
Positive..

Liverpool don't win the title

Negative..

Norwich don't get relegated.

Anyway, after my kidney transplant, due to my anti rejection drugs giving me a rubbish immune system, me and my teenage children are on a 12 week lockdown
( single parent )

Only 24 hours in and 17 arguments.

Might take my chances in the real world 😂
13

alfromcol added 19:51 - Mar 16
Might not be possible to start next season on time, let alone finish this one!!!!

Sacking Lambert is also null and void along with this crap season
4

dirtydingusmagee added 20:21 - Mar 16
past caring to be honest,. Hope all you Blues get though this s##t ok .
6

OliveR16 added 22:13 - Mar 16
I think that, with great foresight, ITFC declared the season null and void a while back. Or at least the fans did.
6

ronnyd added 23:24 - Mar 16
NSV, hope things go well in your recovery and stay safe.
7

madmouse1959 added 00:30 - Mar 17
Ah, here is an opportunity for O,Neill to talk about something, anything but the rot at ITFC. . Obviously does not want to enlighten us on what Mr Evans intends to do to sort this club out once and for all. The usual wall of silence about the embarrassing performances and results hoping it all drifts into the background. Get ready for the PR stunt to entice ticket sales for next seasons no-show.
8

Doctor_Earman added 00:36 - Mar 17
Yes Lee, let's make sure we resume the season so we can finish in our natural position of mid-table mediocrity.
4

eddiespearitt03 added 01:01 - Mar 17
I thought O,Neill was self isolating cos i,ve heard nothing about turning this club round so we can enjoy watching good football.
3

Dissboyitfc added 07:14 - Mar 17
Keep well NSV hope things go well for you!
3

Bildestoned added 07:54 - Mar 17
Interesting speculation folks but of more concern to me is having a club after all this. The commercial pressures here will be EPIC.
2

dirtydingusmagee added 08:30 - Mar 17
NSV take care mate , [ personally i think Liverpool should be declared Champions ,but thats my view] . all best to you and yours. Its going to be difficult for sometime, and cant see there being much happening to for a while to make news on here, but Im sure the Dolphin will surface from time to time and keep everyone entertained with his wet dreams of town finishing top LOL
6

bobble added 09:00 - Mar 17
boris should hire him...
2

Northstandveteran added 09:29 - Mar 17
Thank you for the kind messages fellow blues.

Although it really wasn't my intention to get the small violin out 😁

As I can't leave home, if anyone would like to help out, please leave a box of Guinness and Kylie Minogue in my porch.

Stay safe everyone.
6

essextractorboy93 added 09:39 - Mar 17
Hope everyone is staying safe!

I think at this rate the start of next season will be affected. It really is an unprecedented situation. I think this season must be completed however long that takes. Whether we complete the season in the summer or later this year. Then adjust the calendar once its completed. We might have to have a longer gap between seasons but I think its the only fair option, and then because teams would lose money, the FA or Premier League must step in to help them.

Outside of the EFL, fixtures for Champions League/Europa League qualifiers and pre seasons for English teams generally start in mid to late June. I really cannot see how this will happen, therefore next season is going to be a mess which is why I think this season must be finished and then reassess and adjust the following season once its completed.
0

nineteenseventyeight added 10:18 - Mar 17
He's done something with his time for once, really cant see what else this guy brings to the table!?
1

JewellintheTown added 10:32 - Mar 17
@Northstandveteran - Kylie? You should be so lucky .... luck, luck, lucky. ;-)
1

Northstandveteran added 10:57 - Mar 17
Failing that Jewellinthetown,

A kebab from Jason's Donner van would be great.
1


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