Crewe boss is keen to carry on and praises EFL

CREWE Alexandra manager David Artell has also come out in favour of football continuing whenever possible during the current Covid-19 wave.

If Burton Albion’s game at home to Bolton Wanderers on Wednesday is also postponed, the Brewers’ next scheduled opponents will be Crewe, at the Pirelli Stadium on New Year’s Day

Artell’s hopes games do continue and that supporters are allowed to attend fixtures, although he believes reduced capacities is something that could occur if the omicron variant continues to spread rapidly.

Crewe announced that their Boxing Day game against Wigan Athletic would be postponed yesterday.

“For me, football should be able to continue as long as people remain sensible, patient and understand,” said Artell.

“I think football can have enough procedures, restrictions and guidance in place to make sure that it can be safely executed.

“That is my own personal view and I have not been privy to any meeting, conversation or anything like that.

“I am sure that social distancing at games has been discussed at all levels.

“Do I think it is right that Old Trafford continues to have 75,000 people? I am not so sure but it can accommodate 30,000, 40,000 safely.

“I am not a scientist, though, and they make the judgement calls because they are the experts and I would rather listen to them than some spotty Jonny from Coventry giving his opinions on social media.

“All I can assure our fans is that when the club receives clarity on anything in relation to Covid from the government or the EFL then they are the first to know.

“It is important that the supporters get that information and that clarity.

“The truth is, I don’t know anything different from the fans at the moment, only what I see on the news or what the EFL provide.

“It is all day-to-day and all I can do is carry on and prepare the team to the best of my ability.”

Artell also defended the oft-criticised EFL for their work in the current pandemic.

“The EFL and its chairman, Rick Parry, often get a bad rap and I can never understand that when it comes to the impact of the pandemic,” he said.

“I remember when it first came in 2020 and the season was ended in March. There was talk then of 20, 30 plus going out of business at the time. We have lost none and the EFL deserve great praise for that.

“They lobbied the government and helped get a financial package in place to help clubs and they don’t get the credit they deserve for that.

“Now, if there was a short break without fans then we would have to cut our cloth accordingly and relook at budgets and all that – but if that means you sign one less player in the January transfer window then so be it.

“The health of people has to come first and you have to adjust to what this pandemic throws at you.“*