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Finishing Pompey's season behind closed doors just wouldn't be the same

Joe Gallen has conceded that Pompry may have no choice but to play games behind closed doors if football's rulers decide that's how they want to conclude the 2020-21 season.

The National League have now joined lower non-league divisions in deciding to end their seasons now with no more games to be played, although National League divisions may yet be decided on results recorded so far.

The Football League seems more likely to be kept open in case a resumption is possible and leagues can be played to a satisfactory conclusion, but fans seem unlikely to be allowed in.

Gallen told the Pompey website: 'Hopefully, once it is safe for football to be played again, we can get this season finished. There are a lot of rumours going around about games possibly having to be played behind closed doors.

'If that’s the case, then so be it. It wouldn’t be the same, though, especially at a club like Pompey where our fans play such a big role. We will get back at some point and the players will have to be ready for that by staying in good condition.

'They were set individual programmes and were all trying to outdo each other. They’ve been on their bikes and we can monitor the distances they’ve covered. But they’ll always try to keep themselves fit anyway. They know they have to do that because there’s no other option for a professional footballer.

'We had a lot of games prior to the lockdown and so it was nice to have a bit of a rest, but you have to be prepared.'

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