MalcolmW

Always worth noting (Sheffield) Wednesday's abysmal semi-final record at Manchester grounds. Six semis at five different venues, and all defeats. (And Sheffield United's record is not much better, wins no wins either).

EFL "decision" is due this week. If season is null and void then our 12 point penalty will roll over to new season. If season is extended to become 2019-2021, or if league table is frozen (with or without adjustment for PPG) then if any 2 other clubs follow Bury into oblivion before play-offs are completed then BWFC escape relegation! [unless we are one of the two of course]

BBC had a poll yesterday regarding the Premier League (whatever that is). 38% chose season to be null and void. A further 20% thought the league should be decided on results to date, either with or without adjustment to reflect number of games played. So a clear majority want this season to be ended without any further games,

I was in no doubt that the initial lockdown period for all over 70s and also for anyone with specific underlying conditions was 12 weeks, with the possibility of extension. The general lockdown period was unspecified but subject to 3-weekly review. Mid May now seems the earliest date for significant relaxation. There will be many lessons to be learned from this pandemic. Scientists have been telling anyone who would listen that a future pandemic would be a huge problem in this globally connected world. And now here it is. One question is how frequently can such events be expected? Once in a generation may seem reasonable in view of experience over the last couple of centuries, but of course air travel has changed the game. If another pandemic came in 5 years who would be ready? As has been said authoritarian regimes can control populations far more effectively, but democracies can do better. Most countries have some form of ID card, but UK don't. Labour almost introduced one in 2006 but got cold feet thanks to a media slagging, and even the watered down system went out of the window under the Cameron coalition. Police forces have shown that they are clueless in matters requiring a level of common sense, which is another problem which has to be addressed.

My god-daughter is a GP in the Midlands. A nearby dental practice gave its spare supply of facemasks to the GP surgery, from which they appear to have been stolen.

Poland had introduced a new regulation allowing players aged 30+ to move abroad. The first to do so was Kaz Deyna for ManCity. BWFC - first club to play FA Cup matches in England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland.

If your marker didn't take up his position you could play the ball to yourself.

The danger was that NHS facilities would be overwhelmed and lead to pile-ups as per Italy and Spain. The intention of the lockdown is to limit the number of cases entering hospitals to manageable proportions. Moving from 2 weeks behind Italy to 3 or 4 weeks behind is definitely a positive position - it means a flatter peak over a longer time. The intention was not to reduce the number of cases but to control the flow to hospitals. The reduction in RTAs is a consequence of the lack of traffic. The reduction in heart attacks and strokes may have been less predictable, but follow from the same overall reduction in stress. So far the only frustrations are the lengthy waits in shopping trips and the predictable increase in domestic violence generally. As I'm in a group which was defined for a 12 week (initial) lockdown (over 70s are all lepers, apparently), I'm unconcerned until mid-June. For the population generally I expect the initial conditions will apply for 7 or 8 weeks. I certainly can't seeing it ended this week in time for Easter, and whoever thought up the wheeze of replacing the MayDay Bank Holiday by a VE Day 75th anniversary may be rueing that decision.

It pays not to go off twitter feeds. The ONS report also shows that first quarter deaths from all causes are about 2% down on the average of the last 5 years. So while CV is a big problem and could still wreak havoc, the mild winter has helped to reduce total deaths.

I saw part of the Darwen v Old Etonians being filmed in Stamford Park, Altrincham, last year.

If I told you, you wouldn't believe me anyway, so I won't tell you.

Eurosport have given me an extra month for free.

199 recorded cases in Russia and 1 death to date, but as theories go it's a good one.

I'm holed up near Cannock Chase. The sex is more likely to kill me than the virus. Not even been out for a paper today. I do have to return home around the weekend to pick up 8 weeks' prescription drugs. May see daughter and granddaughter depending on Friday advice. iready for the long haul.

Explains a lot. It's IFK he has signed for. Rather like joining Newcastle Blue Star rather than Newcastle United.

They've just survived another season in the Swedish top tier.

Ollie Waldron?

I've lost half a stone in the last 5 weeks. No running involved, but I'm rather tired as that's the price of being a sex god.

until 31 October?

Russia lowered prices. OPEC decided not to, but Saudi broke ranks to take on Russia.

He did win, erm, American Samoa.

Chinese leaf.

The biennial World Indoor Athletics Championships due on 13-15 March have been deferred for 12 months. It is to be held in Nanjing.

I'm in Northumberland a few days after the Olympics, finishing at Gateshead on the Sunday if I can get tickets for the Diamond League event.

Clearly you don't remember ManCity winning the league in 1936-37 and being relegated in 1937-38 (in 21st place but scoring more goals than they conceded). TRAF just beat me to it, but honourable mention for Everton, champions in 1927-28 but 18th next season.