14 Aug 2020 09:29:21
Had a look at the calendar for next season and it is packed as expected. The season would start on 12/ 9/ 20 and end on 23/ 5/ 21 (excluding Community Shield and CL final on 29/ 5) a period of around 36 weeks and 2 days. Compared to last season if it was completed as normal started on 09/ 08/ 19 and would've ended on 13/ 5/ 20 - a period of 40 weeks and 3 days.

If we replicated our form in cups from this season next season we would have 52 games (38PL, 8CL, 3FAC, 3LC) in total compared to 54 games this season (38PL, 8CL, 1SC, 2CWC, 3FAC, 2LC - excluding FA cup replay vs Shrewsbury and LC game vs Villa) . Essentially we would face a similar amount of games with the same international breaks in Sep, Oct, Nov and Mar but with around 4 weeks less rest than a normal season so squad depth and rotation is going to be massive for us and the rest of the top 6. Thankfully there's no FA cup replays and if we reach the LC semis it would be a one off game, imagine if we did well in all competitions we would be facing up to 62 games!

Question for the Eds are gou aware of any discussions going on to help international players surely there are concerns for them?

{Ed002's Note - No there are no changes in respect of qualification for tournaments etc..}

14 Aug 2020 13:01:07
Thanks for the reply Ed002 it's going to be a very tough season.

{Ed002's Note - Particularly for those clubs who play more games than this - those in the Europa League for example.}

14 Aug 2020 13:16:43
Do you think the fixture congestion would affect deals for fringe players Ed? Like Brewster for example, we may need to rotate more this season giving him more game time?

{Ed002's Note - It should not make any difference - the size of the squad plus youngsters will be able to cover all of the fixtures.}

14 Aug 2020 13:28:43
Exactly Ed002 but hopefully clubs will give more chances to youngsters I think that could be a major positive.