Glenn Murray says he understands the desire to get football back on again, but stresses that any resumption can take place when it’s completely safe to do so.
The Premier League will convene today for their latest meeting during the COVID-19 outbreak, but Murray believes a range of factors have to be considered before any return to action.
He said, “The lads want to be back together. People want structure and normality to their lives, but it has to be at the right time for everyone to be safe.
“Everyone is in a different situation. I have children at home, and I wouldn’t want to jeopardise them. Some have children that are very young. Some are living with elderly parents with health issues – there’s so many things to consider.
“It’s just my view and it’s a really difficult situation to agree on. It’s pointless wasting energy talking about things that might never happen, but I do think it is a bit far-fetched to do things like lock us down and make us play somewhere when the rest of the country isn’t safe.
“The health of the nation and the players must go before everything else. Do we break our necks to get the season back on and then have it closed down if a player gets the virus? It all needs to be thought about.”
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Head coach Graham Potter has spoken in recent weeks about the importance of keeping the squad connected via video technology, and Murray reiterated its physical and mental benefits.
“Before this crisis I’d never even heard of Zoom, but I’m on it every day to the manager and players. It’s about keeping fit but also keeping mentally fresh by talking to people,” he said.
“We have meetings as squad and do some fitness work together and it’s good to see everyone. You spend a lot of time in the dressing room, the other lads become like your second family.
“You spend just as much time, if not more, with them than you do your own family, so you miss them. I didn’t think I would, but I do! You may be having a bad day but then you walk into the changing room and it can be uplifting to see those faces pick you up.”
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As for the lockdown, Murray has been helping to home-school his children.
“It’s been really nice to spend some time with my seven-year-old who is learning Latin and I have picked up a few words,” he added.
“I think social media has become a source of good during these hard times, and not such a negative space. Things live interviews and bands playing songs to their fans have been good and shows the world coming together as one.”