Serbia has a break from the middle of December until the middle of February. Makes sense as it's usually minus 10 and snowing. (this year there's been no snow, mainly sunny and positively balmy!) I blame Trump!
When foreign managers are banging on about a winter break they are directly referencing the Xmas games where there are 4 games in 8-10 days dependent where boxing day and New years day fall in reference to the Saturday games. Trying to suggest they just want a break ignores that the PL managers are specifically moaning about that hectic week (+ a day or 3.) There is nothing stopping the PL from just doing the boxing day and New year's day traditional games and moving the Saturday inbetween game to somewhere else plus they can move the other Saturdays pre boxing day or post New year's day to any other day. They move games away from Saturdays already for TV so no difference there. But this is all about that "festive period." They aren't moaning about midweek and weekend games otherwise they would complain about being in Euro competitions (which if they were so concerned about they could do what they do in the League cup and play their kids.)
Obvious answer for the EPL (competitive games), but the league clubs voted because the Premier League paid them money to allow it.
Because the reserve Premier league B doesn't get enough games / is too chockful of overage reserves to give enough young players a chance in the reserves
I voted a definite “no” & agree with most of the above 75% reasons against. Interesting hardly any of the yes 25% have backed up with reasons why..... off you go FLT Yep, me defo Dino / traditionalist! Take your pick.
I don’t think it is “all about that festive period”... it is about having a break in the season, period.
I choose Dino Ps. Hardly any of the “yes” have given proper reasons beyond, “I want/like” or “only benefits the big clubs”.... One reason for me is that football as a game has changed in terms of fitness and atheticism. This will make people say, “yeah they’re fitter so what’s the problem, they should be able to keep playing,” but that attitude just shows some ignorance to the levels the players bodies are performing at. For me I think it is time a break is tried to see what impact it has or doesn’t have. Without trying we won’t know. I actually think it could benefit some of the smaller clubs who don’t have the quality in depth that the big guys have. It potentially allows them to give the better players a rest and recovery without having to leave them out of the side, thus weakening the side. A flip side to everything.
It’s a squad game, rotate. Big teams have better squads and will do better. If they don’t like competing in efl cup, fa cup, PL and champions league then they need to prioritise. Look at what toure de France cyclists do to their bodies.
Sorry LL, I don’t see what you’re getting at, apart from Saying it is just the big clubs that want this. You are confirming my point that it may benefit smaller clubs for the very reason you say... their squads aren’t as deep in quality, so a chance to freshen up players and have a better challenge to the big boys. Maybe. What has the Tour de France got to do with football?
I voted no for the same reasons re fitness. Honestly though the decision should be made by medical/fitness experts as to whether there is need of a break and how long, but i somehow doubt the PL will be using that at the core of their decision making process.
I agree with that about fitness experts. If a credible case is put forward based on that, then it should be tried. If experts agree it would have no benefit, then I’d back a decision to not have one. Much better argument than stamping feet, blaming the big clubs and saying “I don’t want a break” I’d be interested if the league have ever commissioned such a study.
If such a study was commissioned then we all know that the conclusions would be supportive of those proposing it or they would not commission the study. It is quite obvious not having to play 3 times in 8 days (Sat / Wed / Sat) and instead having a week's recuperation is going to be beneficial in terms of energy levels and rehabilitation. No argument there. However as always the reasons given will not be the real reason and as stated a multitude of times a break that is "won" on grounds of being beneficial for player's recuperation will very quickly become a spare date to make some money out of. If they thought players were playing too many games then why 37 years ago did they push for expansion of midweek European schedules with extra places and guarantee extra games? And why did they then push for another expansion and even more places with guaranteed extra games? If they were really thinking about player fitness and football in general that would be great but as with the PL, as with European expansion and with everything else it is all about benefiting the top flight and in particular the big clubs. Even in your argument you are talking about it possibly beneficial to clubs like Saints as their smaller squads are impacted by injuries more than the big 6 and thus it would allow teams like Saints to compete a little better (not mentioning manager) but by the same merit the Big 6 are not looking at the league. They are looking at European competition and global promotions. For the real "smaller" teams outside the Premier league the fans are most definitely at the stage of past caring. All the spin and reasoning that comes out as why the top flight wants something is purely snake-oil and not at all why they want something to change. They have vast squads at the top end of the game. Their reserve sides are virtually as good as the top championship sides yet they want the formats changed so they can play the same 15 every week and never use their 40 man squads (or 90 for Chelsea if you include their loaned out players.) If they want their best players fit for their Tuesday/Wednesday European games then why don't they campaign to get rid of Saturday games (i.e. leave the Premier League) and then they can also continue their campaign (backed by the PL while they are in it) to have a higher share of the TV pot for themselves.
Imps this comment is based on your first two or theee sentences - I honestly stopped reading then. Those first two reasons told me you aren’t prepared to listen to any reason from them because you have made up your mind why they want it and that’s that. A bit blinkered if you ask me and shows tht you have a bias against any action or change because you are so hung up on it being for the big clubs benefit only, that you are refusing to consider anything else. Apologies if there is more reasoned discussion in the rest of your post but it is so long and, as I said, the first few lines stopped me reading because you have shut the door. Why not try it?
Good call but for me the big clubs have so many 1st team options whereas the smaller / struggling clubs have so much less, extra rest won’t benefit them. It is dynamic tho & unless tried we’ll probably never know. Anyway, big clubs want so the real ? is, when & how long.
And on a purely selfish front & as a payee, I don’t want a break. It’s entertainment so get **** out there with fractures (ok, hairline) & sore hammy’s & back issues from carrying so much weight (fat wallets).
