Coronavirus: Portsmouth striker Ronan Curtis would welcome EFL decision to play behind closed doors

England’s football authorities still hope to conclude the various league campaigns by June 30th and it’s understood both the Premier League and EFL are planning a return in front of empty stadiums as early as May 2nd.

Despite obvious reservations from the PFAI, with players voicing major concerns about their own safety amid the coronavirus pandemic, Curtis believes it could be the only option.

Four Portsmouth players tested positive for the virus last weekend but are recovering well at home. However, Curtis reckons it would be a real shame should Pompey fail to complete the current campaign with the League One outfit in a prime position for promotion.

With a Football League Trophy final against Salford at Wembley also in doubt, Curtis voiced his frustrations as COVID-19 continues to wreak havoc with the football calendar.

“We’re in a fantastic position in the league and we’re in the cup final at Wembley and we can’t play that either,” reflected Curtis. “It’s frustrating but we’ve got to keep going and hopefully UEFA can come to the decision to play games behind closed doors, otherwise it will impact on next season as well. We can’t go anywhere so we’ve got to sit and wait for word. It’s annoying. It’s hard when you’re used to training everyday and preparing for games.

“The last two weeks we haven’t and it’s weird seeing Saturdays and Tuesdays roll by with no games or training. It’s really hard to get used to but you have to get used to it, everything has changed so much over the past week or so.

“I’m just like everyone else really, trying to get my head around things but I can’t wait to get back playing games.”

Many clubs, particularly lower league teams and both League of Ireland and Irish League clubs, have been left in a perilous position following the outbreak. And while playing behind closed doors simply isn’t viable for most, Curtis claims it would be ‘heartbreaking’ should Portsmouth be denied a chance at promotion to the Championship this year.

“It’s hard for some clubs who don’t have the fans coming through the gates and players are still looking for their wages every week or month. It’s hard because they don’t have the funds to deal with this sort of crisis.

“A lot of clubs could go into liquidation or go bust, it’s dangerous. We’ve got to wish these clubs the best and hopefully the EFL, UEFA and the PFAI can come back quickly and let us play as soon as possible - behind closed doors to begin with.

“We’ve played three quarters of the season and now we might not be able to finish the league or our cup run. We worked so hard to get promoted and get to the final and win on big occasions and then everything has now been taken out of your hands - it’s heartbreaking really but you have to look at the bigger picture.”

Euro 2020 has been postponed until next year and while Ireland boss, Mick McCarthy was keeping close tabs on his progress, it could be a blessing in disguise as Curtis now has more time to establish himself in the senior international team.

“I was playing well and Mick was getting good feedback on me. It was hard not getting into the last squad but I really want to get into the next one and represent my country again.”

With no plans to return to Portsmouth’s Roko training base in Hilsea for group sessions until April 3rd at the earliest, Blues boss, Kenny Jackett has provided players with their own individual training programmes. Curtis is currently self-isolating at his home with his mum, dad, brothers and his girlfriend, Taylor Greenwood, so he has plenty of company and has been managing to maintain his fitness.

“I’m lucky, I’ve got my mum and dad here and my brothers and my missus are here as well so that gives me some company,” he said. “You’ve just got to keep battling on. We’ve got to get on with it. I’ve been passing my time going for walks or going for little runs, doing sit-ups and press-ups to keep myself active in the house.

“We’ve got our own gym in the training ground and we can go in and use that every day, one by one. You can go to the training ground every day and do your own bits and pieces. We’ve got our GPS so we can keep track if we’re at the training ground or on the roads running just to keep yourself ticking over.

“Myself and my brother would go out for a run or go down to the park and kick the ball about, loosen up the legs. If we’re not doing stuff like that we chill out with the rest of the family. Anything to pass the time and keep the mood up.

“It’s annoying but that’s life now and you’ve got to take it as it comes. Hopefully we won’t be out of action for too long and the EFL and UEFA can maybe allow us to come back and play behind closed doors to hopefully and finish off the league sooner rather than later.”

So, for the rest of the population who find themselves stuck indoors for the next few weeks, has Curtis got any tips on how to maintain a healthy lifestyle?

”Just keep your mind active. If you have a Playstation you could pass a few hours on that. Speak to people on the phone, Facetime people, friends, family, loved ones. Just keep talking and keep active. Don’t keep yourself in a bubble. Try as be as normal as you can in the circumstances.

“Stay in routine. Get up at the same time, go to bed at the same time, eat the right foods and maintain your fitness as best you can. If you work from home, just keep doing your work to the best of your ability. Keep yourself ticking over.”