I'm sure we're all thinking about this to a certain degree. With the peak of coronavirus not expected until June it looks unlikely that this season will resume on 3rd April, or indeed any time before mid-summer. So how do we satisfactorily complete the current season?
One suggestion might be to:
1. Complete the current season between 1st August and 30th September with July as 'pre-season'
2. Play season 2020-21 from 1st Jan 2021
Season 2020-21 could be designed either:
1. With only round of fixtures instead of two
Or:
2. By splitting each division in half based on finishing positions and playing two rounds of fixtures home and away but in 10/12 team leagues. Bottom clubs in Pool B leagues would be relegated, top clubs in pool A leagues promoted.
These solutions would have the added benefit of scrapping the league cup, a move that could probably become permanent without too many people noticing.
Early rounds of the FA Cup could double as pre-season friendlies for non league/ Tier 3/4 clubs.
A problem with solution 2 is that the Prem big 6 would probably want to make the split permanent.
I would also consider abolishing this season's play offs to save time, promoting an extra club by league placing instead.
Thoughts - and better ideas?
One suggestion might be to:
1. Complete the current season between 1st August and 30th September with July as 'pre-season'
2. Play season 2020-21 from 1st Jan 2021
Season 2020-21 could be designed either:
1. With only round of fixtures instead of two
Or:
2. By splitting each division in half based on finishing positions and playing two rounds of fixtures home and away but in 10/12 team leagues. Bottom clubs in Pool B leagues would be relegated, top clubs in pool A leagues promoted.
These solutions would have the added benefit of scrapping the league cup, a move that could probably become permanent without too many people noticing.
Early rounds of the FA Cup could double as pre-season friendlies for non league/ Tier 3/4 clubs.
A problem with solution 2 is that the Prem big 6 would probably want to make the split permanent.
I would also consider abolishing this season's play offs to save time, promoting an extra club by league placing instead.
Thoughts - and better ideas?