Boston United boss Craig Elliott fears fixture backlog will put an impossible strain on players

Craig Elliott believes the National League North season will be completed, but fears the backlog of games will put an impossible strain on players.

The Pilgrims' scheduled contest against York City was postponed this morning after a member of the Minstermen's squad woke with Covid-style symptoms.

With manager Steve Watson already isolating, the contest was postponed as a precaution.

Today's game is the 12th to be postponed, abandoned or withdrawn from already in a campaign which didn't begin until October 3.

And with Monday's trip to Bradford Park Avenue in doubt due to snowfall at the Horsfall Stadium and next weekend's FA Trophy clash against Chesterfield likely to be re-arranged because the Spireites are also isolating, United could be left with at least 31 fixtures to play in the 19 weeks between next week and May 29, when the campaign is due to conclude.

"There will be a big backlog," Elliott said. "We're playing every midweek anyway for the forseeable future and it's difficult as it is.

"I just feel the league's being dictated by fate and luck, if you can get your games on and get a run of matches.

"I don't think leagues should be dictated like that. Lads physically can't play three or four games a week, it's just not possible.

"You hear top athletes in the Premier League moaning about playing twice a week. These are lads with jobs and other responsibilities in life, to be asking them to play three or four times in seven days is ridiculous.

"I don't know what the answer is. I just know this season was going to be hard, but I thought it'd be getting easier after Christmas. It's getting harder if anything."

While all football below the National League North and South has been suspended indefinitely due to lockdown, the Pilgrims have the luxury of being able to compete - when possible - due to their elite sport status.

Due to this, Elliott believes that the campaign will be concluded, albeit not in the manner clubs hoped for.

"I think it will be completed, but it's just getting through matches for the sake of it towards the end as some people will be so far behind.

"Teams who have had matches played will have an advantage, you have to be honest about that.

"You'd rather have the games played and points on board.

"When you get to the second part of the season in this league you usually play Saturday to Saturday and can spend the rest of the week working on training sessions and focussing on games.

"This year it'll literally be getting through matches. That takes its toll, not just playing games but the travelling that's needed in this league as well."

Reflecting on today's postponement, Elliott added: "We were really looking forward to it, we put a lot of preparation into the York game.

"The groundsman (Jim Portas) and others put covers down and we were confident the game would be on, so to wake up again to this, it's mentally draining to have the game off again.

"You should always prepare as much as you can for every game, but we put a lot of time and effort into this game as we knew it'd be York, and it's gutting to wake up and see it's wasted.

"I heard about Steve Watson last night and I went to bed having a feeling there may be more with symptoms. It's a shame and I wish York's players and Steve Watson well

"I know there are bigger problems in the world, but from our perspective it's just an unbelievable, frustrating season that's getting harder and harder."

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