FESTIVE RUN NO FUN FOR BOSS STEVIE
ASTON VILLA boss Steven Gerrard claims festive football demands are “out of order” - even in nonCovid times.
The former Rangers boss believes the hectic schedule was way too much even before the pandemic struck.
He said: “As long as I live and breathe I’ll never get my head around footballers being asked to play within that short space of time.
“I’ve experienced it as a player and it’s not good I can guarantee you that.
“When you’re going into two fixtures on December 26 and 28, I don’t think those fixtures are right anyway with full squads.
“So to be asked to play them if you’ve got 13 or 14 available is out of order on the players in my opinion.
“I certainly understand the Premier League wanting them to continue. With a World Cup on the horizon and a lot of teams in England doing well in Europe it would be nigh-on impossible to get all the fixtures put in if there’s more cancellations moving forward, so I respect and understand the decision.”
Gerrard says he hasn’t a clue what team he’ll be able to put out against Chelsea on Boxing Day, and said: “The Covid
situation is changing on a daily basis, even in my world on an hourly basis.
“As for any team news and my thoughts on a team, you’re wasting your team, I don’t even know.”
Gerrard said the Covid situation is becoming almost impossible to manage and has seen some strong reactions as people struggle.
He said: “We had a situation at the weekend where one of the players was reluctant to get out of his car because he had some symptoms and he’s got a young family. You can totally understand his view in his situation.
“This is a guy who’s got a young family, it is Christmas time, and that’s the situation everyone is in. No one wants to get this virus. Everyone wants to protect their families. This is our job and your priority is always going to be your family, of course.
“Thankfully he was tested after and he didn’t have a situation, but that player would not have been available for me on the day, and these are little situations people don’t see.
“We’ve got a major responsibility to listen to the players and deal with every situation.”
Gerrard has given his Aston Villa stars time off to enjoy their Christmas dinner – but will haul them in for training right after it.
And he’s told his squad to enjoy the big day with their families and then sweat it out in a session at night time.
He said: “I’m a really kind manager so I’ve given them Christmas morning off but I’ve got them in on Christmas night so I’m not sure if I’m kind or cruel!
“I like to give players time with the families where they can wake up and enjoy the special time