Accrington boss fears EFL mass testing will show up ‘hundreds’ of positive Covid-19 cases
ACCRINGTON Stanley boss John Coleman has made a gloomy prediction as EFL clubs prepare for a full round of coronavirus tests this week.
The Accy manager believes mass testing will produce ‘hundreds’ of positive cases among member clubs – providing the league’s governing body with a massive headache on the way forward.
At present, the EFL has no plans to suspend the 2020-21 season, despite a rapid rise in Covid-19 cases among its ranks.
Twelve games – including Pompey’s matches against Swindon Town and Bristol Rovers – were postponed in League One between December 26 and 29.
Meanwhile, the weekend just gone had three third-tier fixtures which need rescheduling because of coronavirus concerns.
And tonight’s Fleetwood Town versus Ipswich Town game is also a victim of the virus.
Such disruption has seen many call for a circuit-breaker to help gain control of the situation, with Blues boss Kenny Jackett claiming an extension to the season beyond May 8 could be the answer.
Coleman, whose side have seen six fixtures this season called off because of coronavirus, believes a halt to proceedings should have already happened.
And after another matchday without a game, after the Blues’ trip to the Wham Stadium on Saturday was called off because of a frozen pitch, the Accrington boss believes the situation is only going to get worse amid a week of mass testing ahead of the FA Cup third round.
Speaking to the Lancashire
Coleman said: ‘In hindsight that circuit break should have happened two weeks ago because then we’d have been in the same boat as everybody else (in terms of games played).
‘I don’t know what the answers are because you don’t know what’s around the corner.
‘And I think there’s going to be a lot of testing next week in the EFL.
‘I’d be very very surprised if there isn’t triple figures of positives, bearing in mind that there was 40 in the Premier League and they’ve only got 20 clubs compared to 72.
‘I think we’re going to be looking in the hundreds. And then the EFL have a decision to make.
‘Do they plod along and have multiple games suspended or postponed or do they have a break? But then they’ve got to fit that in somewhere.
‘The only logical thing for me is to extend it (the season) to the end of May.’
When asked if he could see the League One campaign being completed, he added: ‘I can, but only if it goes to the end of May.’
Accrington have played fewer matches than any other team in the division, including six less than Burton Albion, and still have 30 league fixtures remaining.
Pompey’s next scheduled game is on Sunday against Bristol City in the FA Cup.
It has been placed in doubt, however, after the Robins’ Championship game at Brentford on Saturday was called off because of Covid issues.
However, it’s been reported that all FA Cup third-round ties will go ahead even if clubs have 14 players without coronavirus and available.
– MARK McMAHON