We all know the arguments for and against a winter break. Some of us focus on non-league, where the effects of winter are very real – in this argument for a break, Suhail Seedat discusses the possible benefits at the other end.
The past few weeks have wreaked havoc across England and Scotland as we have seen fixtures deferred, including the gargantuan title clash between Chelsea and Manchester United, which has managed to garner some criticism following pictures of clear roads surrounding Stamford Bridge and reports of the Tube operating as normal.
While there does seem to be an inconsistency in the rules about which games should be allowed to continue, the postponements have allowed supporters of the very controversial and much disregarded subject of the winter break to chirp up and bring forth their ideas as to why it would be useful to introduce in the English domestic league.
The argument against the winter break is that it is traditional to have games played across the Christmas period and it is a fantastic opportunity for families to see their teams play during their holidays. Indeed, it’s how many football fans in this country would want it and, as consumers of the game, the demand has to be met by clubs and governing bodies. Rather than watching Top Gear on loop, sport, and especially football, adds to the festive routine for many in this country along with list shows presented by Jimmy Carr and The Snowman.
However, is this all taken for granted at the expense of the fabric and substance of the game? Is the English mentality of football – heart, desire, passion – making fans think more with their soul rather than their heads? No matter what some sections of the guttersnipe press like to label, they are still human. Money, in itself, is materially fantastic but for these players to spend Christmas with their families and other loved ones would surely be more beneficial to their mental state?
The theme of money again crops up when debating as to whether a break would be useful for the development and growth of the national team. Sven-Goran Eriksson claims money is the dictating factor as to why England has yet to adopt a winter break. And it may be a fine point with the pressure coming from television and the footballing authorities to get as many people watching football as possible during Christmas to help increase revenues via advertising, ticket sales etc, which again only benefits those outside of the game.
To add to this point, would ticket sales be as high on a Wednesday night (when the game would be rescheduled) as they would on a Bank Holiday during Christmas? Would television benefit from having games rescheduled on a weeknight? Yes, Champions League games are on a weeknigh,t but the lustre and glamour of that competition can’t be matched compared to a soggy game at the Britannia, for example.
A winter break would give teams the opportunity to rest and refresh themselves for the second chapter of the season. For some clubs, the break is cruelly against them should they have built momentum prior to it. For others, it’s a chance for some respite and re-strategise for the months to come.
One of the things levelled against the Premier League is that it is incredibly predictable, albeit less so this season. The Bundesliga, for instance, has shown over the seasons it can add further excitement and intrigue to the league as form becomes topsy-turvy and the balance shifts drastically, adding to the drama of what many claim is the best league in the world.
A winter break doesn’t have to be during Christmas, however. The break could come before the frenzied Christmas period which would allow players to be really fresh in order to push for their respective targets in the second half of the season. On the other hand, it could come after the Christmas period for teams to catch their breath following the busy spell.
The cup deemed most worthless to clubs, the Carling Cup, could perhaps be sacrificed for the calendar to accommodate the break. The cup doesn’t hold as much history and isn’t cherished as much as the FA Cup, and also doesn’t reap as much financial rewards as the FA Cup does. The authorities could, in this instance, pool the money together and use it in the FA Cup, making it far more attractive and lucrative for teams looking to advance through the rounds.
The winter break itself won’t be the only contributing factor to help boost the England national team’s fortunes on the pitch but, as Germany and Spain have shown, it would be a push in the right direction if the authorities started to think more about the players’ welfare than their own.
Winter World Cup
When Sepp Blatter announced that the World Cup in 2022 will be held in Qatar, the world seemed silenced and aghast at the prospect of players potentially risking their health, basking in 50 degree heat. The suggestion has been to now shift the World Cup to the winter when the heat is vastly reduced to British summer temperatures, thereby reducing risk for players and fans.
The move clearly highlights FIFA’s lack of forward thinking and as many have suggested, the World Cup is now a tool for aggressive commercialism. The tampering with the league fixtures will require huge administration and, suddenly, we could end up with teams left with mentally and physically exhausted players who have had to exert themselves incredibly after the huge pressure and intense media scrutiny in such a short space of time. FIFA’s motto reads, ‘For the good of the game’. That seems unlikely.
Youth development
Sam Allardyce and Arsene Wenger both agreed on something, which may surprise many, on the subject of youth development. Both men strongly believe that youth football should solely be played in the summer because the climate and longer days will work to advantage of the coaches as there is more time and better conditions for the players to develop in. The bad weather currently can certainly give credence to that notion.
The heat, however, could also have another advantage in that it will mean the game will be slowed down as players won’t want to exert themselves playing at a frenetic pace. This could lead to a better technical game as the players will have to rely more on the touch and passing to help progress the play forward. It comes to little surprise that Spain, Brazil and Argentina produce huge amounts of technically gifted players.
The England national team were heavily criticised for their woebegone campaign, playing a typically outdated method of English football: the old up and at ‘em, which teams are more capable of reading and nullifying. With the FA appointing a new chairman and Burton high on the list of priorities, surely it would be best to make hay while the sun shines.
Follow Suhail Seedat on Twitter – @SuhailSeedat
Tags: Winter Break
My preference would be for a winter break in January, just after the 3rd round of the FA Cup, perhaps 2 weeks max. However, there could be a caveat that during that period, any cup replays or postponed games could be rescheduled.
This would keep the clubs happy – it would avoid fixture pile ups – while also giving Sky and other TV companies something to show. It gives clubs incentives to get their games on and to win without a replay, so they have a chance to refresh.
I’d keep the Carling Cup though. I don’t think a winter break would hugely affect this.
Boxing Day games are worth keeping (as are New Year’s Day games), largely because the further down the pyramid you go, the more vital these big gates are to the financial health of smaller clubs. It’s why I worry what effect this winter freeze will have.
I do think the Christmas games should be played against teams near you, more for fan travel. Logistically it makes more sense. I also do think there are far too many games in a short space of time in Christmas – the games are never that good because players are labouring from the game or two before.
A fitness coach noted that it takes a few days for explosive players, in particular, to restore the fibres in their muscles and if a player over-plays, it just leads to further injury and harm, which is why I’m more of an advocate for a full seven day break between Boxing Day and New Years Day.