Source: Daily_Mail
Premier League ready to defend snow chaos as clubs face a fixture pile-up
The Premier League will defend themselves vigorously if questions are askedregarding the number of postponements at the weekend as attention turns torescheduling matches. [LNB]After the recent cold snap across the country only two matches went ahead, Arsenal's draw with Everton and Birmingham's clash against Manchester United,but television pictures showed the surrounding areas of Upton Park being clearof snow despite West Ham's match with Wolves being scratched.[LNB]League officials will explain matches were called off after police advice andwhile stadiums could be declared clear on the day, that may not be the case forroads around the venues. [LNB] Snow joke: The wintry conditions in Liverpool resulted in the Reds' clash against Spurs being postponed[LNB]Clubs are now set to liaise on when to play the postponed matches, with leaguegames the last in the order of priority after UEFA competitions, the FA Cup andthe Carling Cup. [LNB]Rescheduling is also complicated by an informal agreement with UEFA not to playmatches on the same evenings as Champions League or Europa League clashes,although Fulham recently travelled to Basle on the same night as four domestictop-flight fixtures. [LNB]Matches could be played on FA Cup fourth or fifth-round days between sidesknocked out of the competition, and league officials also see spaces in thecalendar on March 24, April 14 and May 5. [LNB]With the season finishing on May 9, and no possibility of an extension, itcould lead to a thrilling final week of the Premier League season when thedepths of each squad is tested in the race for the title and the battle to stayin the league.[LNB] Hammer blow: West Ham's clash against Wolves was also a victim of the weather[LNB]Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp saw the effects of a fixture pile-up last seasonwhen he was forced to field a weakened team in the UEFA Cup as there was just athree-day gap before the Carling Cup final.[LNB]With Spurs' clash against Liverpool postponed this weekend, Redknapp said: 'They are talking about playing it in two weeks and suddenly we have got fivegames in 14 days. [LNB]'You never know, it can work in anyone's favour if you catch it right. We haveseen it many times when teams end up playing six games in 14 days suddenly andit gets difficult towards the end of the season. [LNB]'It makes or breaks their season so we will just have to wait and see.' [LNB] Football's £10m deep freeze: Once snow didn't always stop them, now the costs are mounting Des Kelly: Chill wind of debt keeps clubs away from January sales PICTURE SPECIAL: Look out Robinho! City ace ambushed in snowball fight [LNB]
