Chris Wilder 'wouldn't be surprised' if Covid-19 stopped Premier League from finishing

Chris Wilder says he would not be surprised if the Premier League season was not completed amidst a spike in coronavirus cases.
CONCERNS: Sheffield United manager Chris WilderCONCERNS: Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder
CONCERNS: Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder

Five matches so far this season have been postponed because of the illness, whilst some sides fielded much-weakened sides in the FA Cup third round because of it. One of them Aston Villa, have had to postpone Wednesday's match against Tottenham Hotspur, and the Premier League have acted quickly to fix Spurs up against Fulham that night instead.

In 2019-20 the season was put on hold for three months during the first national lockdown but with the 2020 European Championships moved to this summer, there is no such leeway at the end of this campaign.

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“I don't think anybody would be surprised,” said Sheffield United manager Wilder when he was asked if he was concerned the season might be abandoned. “Everybody who knows the situation, I don't think anybody would be surprised if football gets suspended.

“As I've said all the way through I want to come into work, I want to play football. That's been our stance and any decision has been left to the Government in conjunction with the Premier League but I personally don't think anybody would be surprised because it's just taken off.

“From the fantastic news regarding the vaccine we've been hit by a sucker punch straight away in terms of what the new strain is chucking out there. Everybody puts the TV on and it's the first item on the news, the numbers keep soaring up and rising.

“I get what other managers are saying from the mentality point f view (that playing on is good for the mental health of supporters) and from the morality point of it all (in playing on), so we'll just go with what the Government and Premier League have to say and if it's the case to carry on, we'll carry on but I don't think I'm being controversial if I say I don't think anyone would be surprised if we don't carry on.”

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An abandonment of the season could work in the Blades' favour as they are bottom of the table and looking increasingly likely to be relegated, but to his credit Wilder is looking beyond that to the bigger picture.

His side will look to build on their first win of the season, at Bristol Rovers in the FA Cup on Saturday, with their first three points at home to Newcastle United on Tuesday.

George Baldock, Enda Stevens, Billy Sharp and Phil Jagielka all missed the Cup tie, when Lys Mousset went off injured. Asked if any could feature against the Magpies, Wilder replied: “We'd like to think some of those five will. It's touch and go on a couple. Hopefully all five will be available on the weekend but we don't know if all five will be available on Tuesday.”

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