Match Thread POSTPONED: Everton v Manchester City - Preview only

[number4.]

Is there?

What's the magic number then?

Didn't we bail on the derby because of one player?

"After the latest round of Covid-19 testing, the club returned a number of positive cases, in addition to the four already reported on Christmas Day. With the security of the bubble compromised...."

Wasn't it compromised on Christmas Day with four? They played boxing day.

Yes there is a magic number - it’s supposed to be more than 11 of the 25.

I assume their defence is they can’t gaurentee if everyone else is still negative, but it feels a significant stretch

 

[Famous_Seamus]

They have cancelled as they can't contain it, they could be putting players on the pitch with covid tonight. Not worth it

This is exactly the reason and it is 100% the correct call. If you cant confirm how bad the spread is you have to postpone, otherwise this could snowball downhill quite fast. People keep crying "but testing!" - these tests are incredibly inaccurate. Better we didn't have any testing in my mind because it seems to give folks a false sense of security.

 

[Groucho]

And say what, the decision been made from a safety point.

That we should be given the points

 

[Tubey]

We did as parties to the Premier League board meeting. We have as much say as the other 19 shareholders

Where's the rule that was decided then? What's the threshold the meeting has came up with?

Oh, there isn't one? Funny that.

Winging it. Clear as day winging it.

 

[EFCccc]

My dad tested positive but my mum never even tho they live together. My sister and her husband had it even tho her husbands mum is staying with them and she never had it. And in my work place a mate of mine tested positive and all 23 of the rest of us never even tho we are all around each other all day. So how the hell has most of the city squad got it?.

 

[number4.]

We don't know that..
But personally its better to be safe then sorry I think anyway.

We do - it’s meant to be 14 of 25 not impacted by covid

 

[LinekersLegs]

Bang on.

"Safety is the priority"
"Sound mate, yeah. How come you didn't say/think this before today when we knew they had confirmed cases in their team?"

Speaking personally I didn’t know!

But think there is a difference in risk, especially with the new strain, in one or two players having it that might have got it elsewhere and not passed it on and multiple of players/staff having being tested positive at same time where it looks like the City team itself has a superspreader event especially given the reduced amount of time available for testing.

One is clearly a non zero risk but perhaps manageable (I would have been doubtful playing West Ham when Moyes was out myself) but this appears a lot larger outbreak so greater risk.

 

[voodoobloo]

Where's the rule that was decided then? What's the threshold the meeting has came up with?

Oh, there isn't one? Funny that.

Winging it. Clear as day winging it.

Boards can agree to override rules. I think it was the right decision

 

[Death]

I'd donate the three points to City just to see the Kopite fumageddon.

We'd probably be 12th now if you got your way.

We get our key players back

We have a rest before West Ham

We have a greater chance to stay unbeaten


Id say we should be quite happy about this...as long as we beat west ham

Yep all positive. It's just the initial shock of an everton game you where looking forward to watching with a few beers cancelled but the bigger picture is enormous.

 

[Tubey]

My dad tested positive but my mum never even tho they live together. My sister and her husband had it even tho her husbands mum is staying with them and she never had it. And in my work place a mate of mine tested positive and all 23 of the rest of us never even tho we are around each other all day. So how the hell has most of the city squad got it?.

Because they played a game 48 hours ago despite two members of their playing staff known to be COVID positive.

The idea "safety" is even a consideration given that was allowed to happen at all is laughable.

 

[GrandOldTeam]

So what do they do, play and spread the covid. Let's hope Newcastle don't pay the price

My point is they went ahead and played boxing day after confirmed cases.

The only difference today is, we assume anyway, is the number of cases?

So to everyone saying "safety first". Sound, I agree - but what's the threshold? Why was you happy for the fixture to go ahead with 4+ confirmed Man City cases from Christmas Day?

 

[davek]

I listed the players that had been reported fit in the week (Aguero) and the players that had been playing league games for them days ago.

I'm afraid that's not the same as stating all of those players would be out and we'd be playing their academy.

Frankly, if they indeed have "loads" out (to the extent you've assumed), I don't see a massive problem with a postponement and would want one if we were in the same position. It's daft the schedule was even as busy as it was in these circumstances.

I think that's the nub of it, tbh.

Covid19 turbo-charged at the minute and clubs playing 4 games in 8 days or whatever. It's ridiculous in normal seasons, never mind in this one.

 

[Tubey]

Boards can agree to override rules. I think it was the right decision

Override what rule? The forfeiture one?

OK, if so, let's see the meeting notes. Again, let's see the threshold needed to override that rule.

It's yet another example of why the last two seasons of the Premier League are a joke. The fact we would have had 2,000 fans tonight as one of only two clubs in a twenty team competition allowed to also makes the whole competition a joke.

 

[Blue_Berry]

We should really have had a say

I'm really not sure I understand why. Unless you're just looking for tokenism? Can you imagine Man City telling Everton 'our squad is riddled with covid but we thought we'd ask you if you still want to go ahead'

 

[USABlue]

Some heads gone in here. It is the right call, although I agree they should've postponed their game vs Newcastle as well. Just glad our players are getting a rest and avoiding catching covid from city