Robinson dismisses 22-game season plan
Larne defender believes title glory would ring hollow at cut-off
LARNE defender Josh Robinson says he’s not convinced clubs can claim to be worthy title winners if the season is concluded after 22 games.
In the Northern Ireland Football League’s curtailment plan, champions can only be declared when all clubs have reached 22 games.
The Covid-19 pandemic has badly disrupted a Danske Bank Premiership campaign which started in mid-october but clubs remain determined to play as many games as possible.
The league’s new virus testing regime for players and staff at the 12 top flight clubs was rolled out for the first time yesterday but that programme, jointly funded by the Irish FA and NIFL, is only for four weeks, with a review after three.
Six matches are scheduled for tomorrow, bringing an end to the two-week circuit breaker, but the future fixture programme remains uncertain given the high infection rate in Northern Ireland.
A 38-match league season might seem like a long shot to a club like Carrick Rangers who have only played nine games but the first target for clubs is 22 matches when champions can be declared and European places confirmed.
Former York City player Robinson won two titles during his three-year stint at Linfield and he also helped Crusaders clinch back-to-back championships after joining from Rangers in 2012.
Now the 27-year-old finds himself in a title race with Larne, a club which has never lifted the Gibson Cup, but he has questioned the value of championship success in a season cut almost in half.
“I don’t think we will get to 38 games but I would like to play as many games as possible,” said Robinson. “There’s a first target of 22 games but I don’t think that’s enough. I feel you would need to play more games to be worthy champions.
“For me, the league title is earned over a much larger number of games. I appreciate this is a challenging time but I just feel a title after 22 games is a little bit of a steal. Imagine being one point off the top and the league is stopped on 22 when more games could have been played.
“I’m sure the winners won’t complain but it would be a strange feeling for me.”
Larne players underwent Covid-19 testing yesterday morning and Robinson added: “I was happy before the testing even though you might consider it a risk. Football is a release for me and good for your mental health but I can appreciate players having concerns and it was encouraging to see the authorities step up and organise testing.”
The Invermen have a tasty clash against Robinson’s former club Crusaders at Seaview tomorrow lunchtime. The Crues are a point behind second placed Larne, who have played a game less.
Tiernan Lynch’s side are within striking distance of the top with Linfield sitting only two points above them, having played a game more.
“Before Christmas people were talking about a two horse race but when we lost to Ballymena United, it affected our momentum and that can happen to any club,” said Robinson.
“These are massive games to look forward to and big challenges but, with the stop-start season we are in, it can be a strange feeling.
“Usually come January or February you would like to be full steam ahead but we haven’t had a run of games.”