Seems like the PL is talking about a mid season break when the latest TV deal expires. Do we really need one? Is it a good thing? What about the traditional Christmas and New Year fixtures for the fans?
PL Mid-Season Break
- Thread starter HomerJSimpson
- Start date
There supposed to be professional athletes FFS! There already pampered far too much IMO, a mid-season break just means an extended season with a smaller break between the end & start of the season, so not a huge advantage gained, if any IMO.
If clubs were worried about player fatigue then they would not be spending pre season in the Far East, USA, Australia etc. Anyone think they won't be making the same trips in winter if the break comes in? If teams had a genuine break then there would be merit in it but I am sure they will be jetting off for money at the first opportunity so the break would be a token one and so pointless other than to make money for the club's.
PIng
Head Pro
So what happens if they take a break throughout January, for example, and then blizzards hit the country in February, which frequently happens? No football for 6 weeks or so and a massive fixture pile up.
Football has been played throughout the winter for over a hundred years and it should remain that way. The season is already too long, with the first games starting in early August.
Football has been played throughout the winter for over a hundred years and it should remain that way. The season is already too long, with the first games starting in early August.
pbrown7582
Money List Winner
Going to get one for the Qatar WC anyway!
Liverbirdie
Ryder Cup Winner
Dont mind, but it shouldnt be in December/the new year.
It should be mid January, after the FA cup 3rd round, and no money-making friendlies allowed.
While their at at, play all international games in a 4-6 week period, and let the countries "manage" their own squads, for a change:thup:.
Anyway, January is normally the end of Everton's season.:whoo:
It should be mid January, after the FA cup 3rd round, and no money-making friendlies allowed.
While their at at, play all international games in a 4-6 week period, and let the countries "manage" their own squads, for a change:thup:.
Anyway, January is normally the end of Everton's season.:whoo:
D
Deleted member 16999
Guest
That's if it's a good season😃
Hosel Fade
Tour Rookie
Think about the Premier League vs the Bundesliga which is always the example given.
The premier league has 2 extra teams in so thats 4 matches more
The league cup is another potential 7 matches, where Germany doesn't have one
The FA cup has replays which the German cup doesn't
Those matches need some sort of time to be played or we will have constant midweek fixtures which then upsets UEFA who don't like games to be played on their dates. The only way to work a winter break would be to scrap the league cup imo
The premier league has 2 extra teams in so thats 4 matches more
The league cup is another potential 7 matches, where Germany doesn't have one
The FA cup has replays which the German cup doesn't
Those matches need some sort of time to be played or we will have constant midweek fixtures which then upsets UEFA who don't like games to be played on their dates. The only way to work a winter break would be to scrap the league cup imo
Doon frae Troon
Ryder Cup Winner
Not certain, but I think that is what happened in Scotland a few years ago and it was scrapped the following year.
GB72
Money List Winner
Just follow the rugby example and play on throughout international weekends. That is what squads are for. Also some young talent have a chance whilst giving teams without wall to wall international players a chance to get a few points
D
Deleted member 15344
Guest
The problem is most of the prem teams and indeed champ teams do have wall to wall international players because when it's an international weekend it's not just the 6/8 teams like in Rugby it's closer to 80 maybe even more all playing on one weekend so most teams including their youngsters are away on international duty
fundy
Ryder Cup Winner
how many players you think saracens lose on international weekends? would force clubs to have a higher proportion of younger non international and probably home grown players in their squads which can only be good for english football
Liverbirdie
Ryder Cup Winner
No, let them follow our example.:thup:
It would also massively benefit Chelsea, who can bring back some of there 4,802 players that they have out on loan.
GB72
Money List Winner
Just takes squad planning. Some rugby sides go all out on a strong first team and have to use academy players during internationals whilst others go for a larger number of less well known players. Keeps the league more even
D
Deleted member 15344
Guest
About 11 I reckon and they will be the worst hit
Where as in the prem and even Championship it's nearly every team that loses around 15-20 per international weekend plus all the youngsters go away as well on u21-u18 internationals which are held around the same time
During an international weekend all over the world every team will be playing
The telly companies pay billions to watch the best players play , same with the fans - its not the same model as rugby - the internationals are spread all over the year as opposed to Rugby where they are condensed into two periods
Its just not workable - the teams that don't have the internationals are the ones in the Lge 1-2 and they keep playing because thier squads are intact
Neilds
Assistant Pro
Premier league teams all manage to rest their top players for League Cup and FA Cup fixtures (whilst still charging top money to watch the reserves!) so that cuts a fair few fixtures from the 'tiring' season.
They would still use the break for money spinning friendliest abroad anyway - just look at the Manchester derby that should have been in China this week!
They would still use the break for money spinning friendliest abroad anyway - just look at the Manchester derby that should have been in China this week!
Fyldewhite
Tour Winner
Most drop their prices considerably for cup games. They have to sell every seat and given they are often fielding weaker teams they have to in order to get decent attendances. It does give "the youngsters" a real chance to impress and shine too.
No way. everyone keeps slagging teams for going to China or the US for "money spinning" friendlies. It's a business and they are using the pre season kick abouts to grow the game abroad.......and have been very successful in doing this. Something golf is always banging on about as it happens. Should they be playing Nantwich Town and Macclesfield instead? There's no way a mid season break would be used to play friendlies when they are match fit in the middle of the season. Simply wouldn't happen.
Crazyface
Tour Winner
"Should they be playing Nantwich Town and Macclesfield instead?"
They used to play us pre-season (City or Utd) and it used to be a bit of a money earner. Not anymore. We've not seen either for years now.
They used to play us pre-season (City or Utd) and it used to be a bit of a money earner. Not anymore. We've not seen either for years now.
In a crowded season already I really don't see the point extending it further. What happens if there is a late winter snap and more games are lost. Makes the end of season a free for all and hardly ideal for a glorious run in to the PL
Yes, it will happen - unfortunately. Bayern, Real Madrid and Barcelona all jet off to the Middle East and play a friendly or 2. Thinking the money men running the club would consider the match fitness of the team instead of a significant commercial opportunity is a tad naive.
