Countdown now on to proper football returning

When the final whistle blew on the Premier League match at Craven Cottage on Sunday 20 September, we new it was going to be tough, but this tough??? Yes, this absolutely ridiculous three week break for largely meaningless internationals, so many pointless friendlies (including the Nations League nonsense).

The Premier League had only kicked off four weeks earlier and then a break of three weeks so early in the season… Please let it make sense. You often don't realise how important something is until it isn't there and these three weeks without any proper football have been a shocker.

That final Premier League before the break was a 1-1 draw between Fulham and Man U at Craven Cottage, 20 days later it is Arsenal v Leeds at the Emirates that will break this footballing drought. Coventry and Newcastle United fans have suffered the very most, both sets of supporters saw their teams play on Saturday 19 September and now experiencing 23 days between Premier League games.

Looking ahead to this weekend, Liverpool v Manchester City looks set to be an epic encounter, considering everything that has happened during this break from proper football. There may have been no action on the pitch but to be fair to Manchester City, they have done their best to keep things lively off it… Saturday 10 October Arsenal v Leeds (12.30pm) Villa v Brentford (3pm) Chelsea v Bournemouth (3pm) Ipswich v Fulham (3pm) Sunderland v Brighton (3pm) Man U v Tottenham (5.30pm) Sunday 11 October Palace v Forest (2pm) Hull v Everton (2pm) Liverpool v Man City (4.30pm) Monday 12 October Coventry v Newcastle United (8pm)