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Lee Bowyer on playing at an empty Valley

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It’s certainly going to be strange seeing The Valley empty on the weekend as we face off against 13th place Queens Park Rangers for a lunchtime kick-off.

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The Coronavirus has changed football in terms of the fans and social distancing, every stadium is completely empty and all substitutes need to stay two meters apart which I have to say is really weird seeing as you got the players grabbing and tackling each other on the pitch, hardly social distancing is it?

It is a shame that we can’t turn up and properly watch and feel the game, it’s just not the same sitting from home and watching the players play football in an empty stadium, I would give anything for the real feel of a good matchday, get down the pub and have a few drinks and a laugh and then set off for The Valley and enjoy the game, nothing is the same and I hope it changes back soon.

Lee Bowyer gave his views on the new format of football to the club’s official website and here is what he had to say

“We’ll prepare the best we can and make things as realistic as possible, we’ve played a couple of training games at The Valley so we know what it’ll be like. The most important thing is the result.

“We have to adapt to all the changes and, hopefully, it doesn’t go on for too long. The most important thing, for me, is the fans. Football isn’t the same without the fans being there.

“It’ll be strange playing in an empty Valley, but the players will know what to expect. The most important thing is that it’s not alien to them, and they’re not experiencing these things for the first time. They experienced it with the training games and last weekend would have helped, whether it’s home or away, it helps to adapt to those circumstances.”

Last weekend we got off to a great start to the new norm of football as we beat relegation rivals Hull City 1-0 at The KCOM Stadium, I hope we can continue with that hard work and passion without the heartbeat of the fans there as we were on the weekend.

Now we look ahead to the QPR game and it’s another must-win game, I’m predicting a 2-1 victory let’s hope I’m right again!

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