Remove the PL clubs from the league cup? Sounds mighty similar (nearly) to how the Checkatrade was! Will they approve losing a European spot? Or does that go straight to a PL place? That takes that chance away from non PL clubs. Move FA cup to midweek? That will hurt the lower league clubs. Saturday games get bigger attendances. Move the league forward away? Surely the big 6 won't want anything interfering with their multi million US or Far East tours. If they want a rest then they should just lose in the cup, not enter the Chekatrade and use their "U21 development" (reserves) more in the league.
So the Checkatrade trophy is upgraded to replace the League Cup without PLclubs and their U21 development squads. As for the place in Europe, best placed teams outside the Top 4, and FA Cup winner, (normally it is one of the 6 in any case)
I'd be for having the league cup for non European teams only... Also think there's an argument to be had for an 18 team league too.
Should we have a winter break? NO We all enjoy it as it is don't we. Our love of the game Our football fix What will we do How will we fill our time The chance to catch up, to moan, to celebrate. I would find it very hard to cope without it. Edit: oh, your talking about football fixtures, not the forum taking a winter break. Oh yes go ahead, let those poorly paid players have a little rest.
We`ve been having a break in Scotland in January for a while. The weather is usually fine during the break, then crap when the season restarts. Aberdeen went to Dubai to train this year, and played a friendly. Break my ar$e !
Tonight against Chelsea "U21" was Lincoln's 100th (competitive) game since the Cowley's took over 18 months ago.......... P99 W59 D22 L18 F168 A98 ...............who needs a break
Bollocks. I voted "yes" as I assumed this thread was an offer from FLT to pay for a three week holiday in Lanzarote.* There is an argument for a break, but as Aberdeen suggests, timing is difficult given the unpredictability of the climate. *So in best banana republic fashion, I went back and changed it. Thought old Fats had come over all generous; daft really
This is a sensible answer but I would have to add that you should not forget that football is supposed to be entertainment. Christmas is one of the few times in the year when I can wind down and, like a lot of people, I like to take in a couple of football matches during my time off. I would be annoyed if this option was taken away from me. In addition, January marks the 3rd round of the FA cup which I still feel is a season highlight. If anything, the international friendlies should be dispensed with but I am surprised that so many teams want less matches when it would give them the option to feature fringe players.
I agree with the first part totally. Maybe a PL Divisioin 2 as half the Championship would not look out of place in the PL, and half the PL clubs would not look out of place in the Chammpionship.
Not saying you are wrong, but it is very easy to turn it the other way and say if football is entertainment then not giving the highly paid performers adequate rest between games impacts the entertainment. These guys are paid millions to do something they are very good at and entertain the masses, why not give them the best chance to be able to perform to the best of their ability every time they step on to a pitch?
Although to me the winter break in and of itself will have the the opposite effect as it will simply move games to either side of it increasing fixture congestion. Any improvements will come from changing in the scheduled games which doesn't require a winter break to do. Also any break certainly doesn't need to be over Christmas. For me the Jan transfer window seems more logical.
Agree about when it is implemented, people just like to say Xmas in these discussions as it is roughly half way and is when there are loads of games. As I mentioned before start the season a week or so earlier and finish a week or so later to help ease the Saturday-Wednesday-Saturday weeks which are ridiculous, and get rid of pointless international friendlies (I'd personally say **** off international football completely but I realise that isn't all that popular a viewpoint) and suddenly the fixture list doesn't seem so bad, and could give players a 2 or 3 week break at some point as well.
What they should do is find a way to reduce the number of games in the European Cups....not keep expanding them. I may review this comment when Saints are back in the competition. #onlysaintsmatter
That's frankly a ridiculous suggestion, **** what everyone else in the world thinks cos a lot of English don't like it cos we've been **** for years. I'm against a break but to suggest that as a better option is ludicrous imo.
I still think the timing of this isn't a coincidence. I said as soon as it was announced that Qatar would be in winter that a break would come in around that time.
