Prepare for No bell prize

I PLAYED plenty of games behind closed doors and I can tell you they are difficult to adapt to.

Great players will be able to shine over 90 minutes whether there is a crowd watching or not.

But, even if it’s by as little as one per cent, I can envisage a slight drop in performance levels should matches resume behind closed doors. Crowds drive you on. They suck you in, they lambast you, they inspire you.

The groans that follow a misplaced pass remind you not to do it again. On the other hand, if you’re having an average game, hearing your name sung can lift you.

All footballers in the Premier League are elite players. They all have the ability to perform to a high level whether there are 100,000 people watching or none at all.

And, let’s be honest, until there’s a vaccine to Covid-19, they are probably going to have to get used to playing in empty stadiums.

We’ll still see some very good football but I’m guessing without all the bells and whistles.

Because they come when players like Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney, who love to perform for crowds, are turning it on that little bit more.