THIS all feels like it’s a bit in vain doesn’t it?

I was all set to talk about how we’d go to the Etihad in good spirits after extending our unbeaten run with a draw against Spurs.

And as I write this on Thursday afternoon, the game is still to go ahead. But whether that remains the case by the time you read this – or by the time this newspaper becomes tomorrow’s chip paper – is anyone’s guess.

The coronavirus is wreaking havoc all over Europe and it doesn’t show any signs of slowing down.

Public health has to be the priority but I’m really torn between whether I think a temporary suspension of the Premier League – similar to what we are seeing with Serie A in Italy and La Liga in Spain – or playing games behind closed doors is the best way forward.

I’m leaning towards a temporary suspension but I guess the fear is that this season might never end if the virus continues to take hold for the next few months.

Although, that said, it would be quite funny to see the reaction of Liverpool fans if they’re denied a Premier League title despite being 22 points clear. And don’t even get me started on how hilarious it would be if Leeds United’s promotion push was brought to an abrupt end.

I’m being mischievous of course but I think the thought of matches taking place in empty stadiums is unbearable.

Football is all about the fans. Players thrive on that atmosphere and without those spectators, it must be difficult to perform at the highest level.

Rumours were abound yesterday that the government was going to go with that option but the longer the wait for action goes on, the more I’m convinced it isn’t a great idea.

Back to the Spurs game and I think it was a bit of a missed opportunity.

We absolutely hammered them in the first half and really should have been further ahead than one goal to the good at half time.

They looked much better second half but I think we were still the better side overall.

We were denied a stonewall penalty that VAR didn’t even look at and Hugo Lloris – who I’m not convinced by at all – looked hellbent on making amends for the error that led to Chris Wood’s first half opener.

A point, let’s not forget, is a good result but if that is to be the last game of the season, I do wish it could have been a couple more…