In the event of all or majority of next season being played behind closed doors, how do you think that may impact specific teams and players? I imagine that differences will be largely marginal - but there are certain teams I think will gain or lose more than others.
Liverpool, for example, will not look so invincible in an empty Anfield - and of you take a lead there, that galvanisation from the Kop won’t be there to help them. I think they rely on their home fans more than most at the top end of the league.
Relegation strugglers will also struggle massively I think. When you are far less good than your opponent, they seem to rely on the atmosphere to lift them and bridge the gap a bit.
Teams like City, who I don’t feel particularly rely upon a home advantage, I can see having a slight edge here. I think they will be the same team in an empty Etihad as they are in a half-empty one. Arsenal are a team I feel struggle under the pressure of their own fans too, and also struggle away from home, so perhaps no fans at all will help them!
New signings may feel less pressure, however, overall quality and excitement of the game over the course of the season will likely be lower, as matches will lack the intensity.
Just looking at this solely from an on-field perspective.
Liverpool, for example, will not look so invincible in an empty Anfield - and of you take a lead there, that galvanisation from the Kop won’t be there to help them. I think they rely on their home fans more than most at the top end of the league.
Relegation strugglers will also struggle massively I think. When you are far less good than your opponent, they seem to rely on the atmosphere to lift them and bridge the gap a bit.
Teams like City, who I don’t feel particularly rely upon a home advantage, I can see having a slight edge here. I think they will be the same team in an empty Etihad as they are in a half-empty one. Arsenal are a team I feel struggle under the pressure of their own fans too, and also struggle away from home, so perhaps no fans at all will help them!
New signings may feel less pressure, however, overall quality and excitement of the game over the course of the season will likely be lower, as matches will lack the intensity.
Just looking at this solely from an on-field perspective.