Manchester City fans are facing an uncertain future after reports emerged that the Premier League is pushing for a points deduction that would see the club relegated, regardless of their current unbeaten run.
Writing in the Daily Express, City supporter Amos Murphy reflects on a difficult month for the club and its fans, describing the feeling of being "stuck in purgatory, almost." The return of football after a three-week international break provided some relief, he notes, as it gave supporters the chance to laugh together in the face of adversity.
Seven wins from seven
Despite the off-pitch turmoil, Murphy points out that the current squad has won seven from seven this season. However, he questions what that form will mean come May, given the ongoing uncertainty over the club's fate.
There are already reports that Premier League clubs across the table are frustrated about not knowing what City are likely to be fighting for this season, he adds.
Leaked punishment reports
According to a Daily Mail report, the Premier League are pushing for a points deduction that would see City relegated regardless of their results. Murphy notes that the Premier League can want one thing, while the independent commission may decide on something else after the sanction hearing.
City have appealed the initial verdict in the meantime. Given the severity of the verdict, however, Murphy believes the chances are City's punishment will see them spend at least one season out of England's top flight.
A disaster for the club
Murphy argues that a season outside the top flight, and likely at least two outside the Champions League, would certainly punish City. He dismisses the school of thought that anything other than expulsion would represent City getting 'off the hook,' calling that notion nonsense.
For a club with a wage bill the size of City's, and the amount of superstars they'd have to shift, relegation of any kind would be a disaster, he writes. He also mentions rumoured plans for the Premier League to push the EFL to administer a second points deduction, which would effectively confine City to at least two seasons in the second tier.
While Murphy admits it's difficult to see how that cross-competition punishment gets pushed through, he concludes that City being sent down to the Championship would be "an unmitigated disaster."
