“I think it is not right,” griped Erik ten Hag, surveying Manchester United’s fixture schedule. “When we start talking about it, I get really angry,” seethed Jürgen Klopp, bemoaning two games a week.
Those blessed with charter aircrafts and elite recovery facilities might spare a thought for the lower orders of English football. The wettest winter on record has taken a scything toll on schedules for teams without undersoil heating and drainage systems. Many non-league clubs have reached pile-up situations, though none quite like the Berkshire club Sandhurst Town, of the Combined Counties League Division One, step six in the pyramid system, who this week played – and won – on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday nights. Saturday’s home match against the west London club Rayners Lane will be the Fizzers’ seventh game in 10 days. After that come fixtures on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
