Decisions being made

[geobarrovian]

Is there really a big appetite to deny us promotion apart from a few misguided Notts County supporters?

[Suffolk Blue]

Judging from the above we've reached that point again where we're talking ourselves into vicious circles again. Each day the pattern is roughly the same. Like all the kings men sometimes we're up and sometimes we're down. It makes you pretty weary. Today has been much the same.

For some reason, I feel as if today there has been some progress made and that on balance it has not been a bad day for our hopes. Once again the reason is not what has actually been stated but what has been reasonably inferred. And for this I go back to the following sentence quoted in the BBC article today in which it purports to quote directly from the NLs most recent letter to its 68 members. The sentence is as follows:

A letter sent to all 68 clubs on Monday warned that if either the National League play-offs do not take place, or League Two in the English Football League (EFL) is not completed, then "it is quite possible that the promotion place for a play-off winner could be jeopardised".

Simply put by stating that the place for a potential play-off winner could be jeopardised by the EFL failing to complete the season, this a strong inference that the issue is whether one or two clubs will ultimately be promoted. Clearly in order to have a play-off you cannot void the season so the inference by omission is that there will be a first place and that clubs are being consulted as to whether they want to be counted in on a play-off schedule for a second place that cant yet be scheduled and probably wouldn't take place unless and until the EFL season completion was confirmed.

This is the NL saying essentially - "one club is going up regardless. What we want to know is whether you are up for a playoff for second. That outcome may not happen even you decide to have a play-off if the EFL dont finish, but it cannot happen if you void the NL season". Further the NL is asking for views and opinions but not votes. So whatever it may infer is far more likely to be relevant.

For my own sanity that's how I'm reading it anyway.

[blue future]

Right who cares what they decide.... bring it on!!!
If they want us to play on or be part of the play offs then good.
We are the best team in the league and we will go up.
Nobody will want to play us
Where is your fighting spirit and positivity?
Bring it on!!!

[NORTHERNSOUL]

My guess would be that the virus has a minimum incubation period of less than a week (before you would become infectious), So if you only tested at the beginning of every week you could have contracted the virus before you play again if the next game is a week ahead even if you had previously tested negative.

I'm aware of that, but what makes a footballer so special, if key workers like teachers don't get such privileges then why should a footballer.
Football should be bottom of list of priorities

Because they would be buying the tests on a commercial basis as many individual PL clubs have done already.

Anybody who really wants a test can get one now and has been able to for at least the last month as all private doctors in this country have had access to tests which are couriered to Germany for testing where they are carried out by private laboratories who I presume are willing and able to sell their services and the tests to who they want to. I understand the cost of a single test is £2k dropping very sharply the more that you buy.

It's been said that the PL has a contract to buy 250k tests from Germany should they get the go-ahead to start to play the games behind closed doors and will test everybody who would be involved in the staging of those games on at least weekly basis

[Dexter]

Suffolk Blue, I would say your summing up of the latest letter on the possibilities to move forward from the National League concerning promotion and play off is correct and agree with you totally.

[HenneysKnee]

I understand the cost of a single test is £2k dropping very sharply the more that you buy.

Peterborough’s owner paid £20k to get the full club tested and that was fairly early on in lockdown before they were as available as now

[blue nige]

You only take a test if you have the symptoms and then you should be self isolating, the test to take is an antibody blood test ( if they are available and more importantly they work!).

[Suffolk Blue]

You only take a test if you have the symptoms and then you should be self isolating, the test to take is an antibody blood test ( if they are available and more importantly they work!).

I'm not sure that's true Nige. You can certainly only be tested in the NHS if you present with symptoms or you fall into a number of "reserved" categories. However, there's no law that says you cant source a test commercially.

I think this has been the case since day 1. There have been cases where its clear that certain people have been tested privately but due to the fact that testing kits have been scarce for the general public plus morally and ethically public opinion has looked upon the practice very poorly, nobody has been keen to publicise it.

[bigmac95]

Has a date been set for decisions to be made yet?

[Pedro]

Has a date been set for decisions to be made yet?

Yes the National League do not want to act hastily May 2090.
Will allow time for reflection.

[Nigel Bamford]

This is part of the text from the National League's letter which I think has relevance (I found it in the Harrogate Advertiser):

The current EFL position as outlined verbally to the National League and the FA is that if the National League completes its play-offs following the existing approved format (my emphasis) and League Two completes its season, it is reasonable to assume the National League play-off winner can be promoted as the ‘National League runner- up’.

'However, if either of these conditions were not fulfilled, it is quite possible that the promotion place for the play-off winner could be jeopardised.'

The key phrase is "existing approved format", i.e. the clubs in 2nd to 7th places. By any calculation Barrow are top and, therefore, not involved. I was a bit despondent last night listening to Ian Dennis on BBC RC but this has perked me up.

[Suffolk Blue]

Has a date been set for decisions to be made yet?

Yes the National League do not want to act hastily May 2090.
Will allow time for reflection.

Nice one. All responses to this question thus far have been caveated with "hope to", "may have" or "could be". The NL will only react to decisions coming out of the EFL. Otherwise it will continue to take its time. Dont even expect the outcome when it does come to feel like a decision.

[Suffolk Blue]

This is part of the text from the National League's letter which I think has relevance (I found it in the Harrogate Advertiser):

The current EFL position as outlined verbally to the National League and the FA is that if the National League completes its play-offs following the existing approved format (my emphasis) and League Two completes its season, it is reasonable to assume the National League play-off winner can be promoted as the ‘National League runner- up’.

'However, if either of these conditions were not fulfilled, it is quite possible that the promotion place for the play-off winner could be jeopardised.'

The key phrase is "existing approved format", i.e. the clubs in 2nd to 7th places. By any calculation Barrow are top and, therefore, not involved. I was a bit despondent last night listening to Ian Dennis on BBC RC but this has perked me up.

Great quote that Nigel. The words are very specific and important. I read this as the EFL warning the NL not to mess about with things and stay within the existing rules. Certainly no encouragement to void and another inference being made between the team that finishes first and the other play-off candidates.

I have this feeling that what we are experiencing is the NL trying to resolve an inner conflict between the self-interests of its members and the need to act collectively and responsibly. You get the impression that if the NL do call a result, they will do so reluctantly. But it does seem clear that the EFL has got involved in this issue and is giving specific guidance which can only be positive.

[blue nige]

Head of French FA Noel Le Graet announces officially that Ligue 1 and Ligue 2 seasons are over. They will follow the regulations: take the position after the last game for the title, Europe, relegation (Toulouse & Amiens) and promotion (Lorient and Lens). https://t.co/8GHQ7TRJJX

Interesting decision

[Wintergreen]

Head of French FA Noel Le Graet announces officially that Ligue 1 and Ligue 2 seasons are over. They will follow the regulations: take the position after the last game for the title, Europe, relegation (Toulouse & Amiens) and promotion (Lorient and Lens). https://t.co/8GHQ7TRJJX

Interesting decision

Vive la France!

Liberté, Equalité, Fraternité, Sensé du Common