Question of the Week: Should the Prem introduce a winter break?

[Mandieta6]

Remember, if you have an idea for a question you would like to see, PM it to me, and each week one question will be selected based on the quality of the question and it's subject. I will not choose the questions on my own, but this is the best way to ensure that we don't keep discussing the same things.

Send a goddamn question you idiots.

This week's comes courtesy of ChelseaFan88:

Should the English Premier League introduce a winter break?

Past Questions:
13/9 - What will football be like in 50 years?
19/9 - What are some rule changes that would improve the game?
3/10 - The European Super-League Discussion
11/10 - How would you spend 50m?
19/10 - Why does ____ underperform?
26/10 - How to stop Barcelona?
13/12 - What players have you come to respect/dislike?
20/12 - Who will win the Euros?

 

[yoyo913]

I'd prefer if they don't. As a fan, I would rather have a game a week without a winter break then having a winter break but then condense 2 games a week.

 

[4ndr3i]

It could be a good thing for the clubs and players (and even that's debatable).. but from a fan's point of view it would be a bummer. I actually have major respect for the Prem for not having a winter brake. They're toughing it out like bosses.

 

[poet11]

Yes.......... A must!!!!

 

[Mandieta6]

Why?

 

[poet11]

Why?

Players in other leagues get a good rest and start fresh while players in the PL get no rest. They may get to spend some time with their family too and recover mentally. If theirs a tournament after the season they have to be present there too and some rest at the end of a year can help a bit to save some energy. Could benefit England NT and PL clubs competing in Europe. Clubs also could get time to review their squads,identify targets and it could reduce chances of making rash decisions in the January transfer window.

 

[Sir Calumn]

I think absolutely not. The Premier League is the toughest league with the highest standard of play in the world, and also the highest wages and transfer fees. If people want to play here, they should know that they have to work harder and be fitter than the other leagues. They have to deal with the greater risk of injury, the greater risk of lack of fitness.

It also means we are like the shop that opens 24 hours when the others close at five, all the other parts of the world look to us for their Christmas football, and we cant afford to disappoint!

And it's just so damn exciting! I mean, just look at the matches we've had over the past couple of weeks?

 

[Zlatan]

Should they? Yes.

Will they ever? No, because it would be breaking with a century old tradition and you can't honestly ask an Englishman to break with a century-old tradition. That's unheard of.

 

[Help?]

In terms of revenue, that would be a terrible idea and for international fans it would be a big bummer. But for those avid English fans, they really should be supporting a break. Its very clear that this affects the national team come May and out of all top European countries England has REALLY been underachieving.

 

[Back Door Skip]

For the players, it would be beneficial because of the amount of games played nowadays, but as a fan I think it's great as is. At least for me, I usually watch more La Liga games than Prem, so I get a chance to see more of the Prem without a ton of games to try to keep track of.

 

[Mandieta6]

I'm not sure what's worse from a player stand point. Admittedly, more breaks is nice, but it means more matches in quick succession, meaning less time to recover and while you work less time, you need to work harder. Note that England stars about 2 weeks before Spain, too.

 

[Filipower]

Easy, absolutely NOT. Why would they?

And what would I watch at Christmas then?

 

[ShiftyPowers]

I'm not sure what's worse from a player stand point. Admittedly, more breaks is nice, but it means more matches in quick succession, meaning less time to recover and while you work less time, you need to work harder. Note that England stars about 2 weeks before Spain, too.

Yeah, especially for teams competing in Europe too. I get the feeling that players really hate playing in the middle of the week. And as a fan, obviously I love that England doesn't have a winter break because every other league does. Going a month without games would be really tough; I can't imagine how awful it would be for the rest of you guys who don't have the glorious sport of American Football to watch.

 

[ShearerM4]

There's no way they would ever touch the Christmas period. Good job too. It's great to have the games on that time of year.

If ever they were to introduce a break, it would probably be after the FA Cup 3rd round. But then they wouldn't have much time before the knockout stages of European comps...

 

[Xifio]

I'd spin it around say that other leagues should consider having a festive period bonanza of matches as well -- I mean, the best-marketed and most-watched league in the world is doing it for good reason, so why not learn from it ...

The Premier League is the toughest league with the highest standard of play in the world, and also the highest wages and transfer fees. If people want to play here, they should know that they have to work harder and be fitter than the other leagues. They have to deal with the greater risk of injury, the greater risk of lack of fitness.

I can't imagine how awful it would be for the rest of you guys who don't have the glorious sport of American Football to watch.

nothing like waking up to hear Bill Lawry and Channel 9's opening theme at the start of the Boxing Day test:

even if South Africa aren't touring, I've always tuned in ...

 

[fenton]

Not a chance. The festive season matches have been incredible to watch this year. With all the drama surrounding Blackburn and Steve Kean to the matches like we've seen this week with Newcastle v Man U and Wigan v Sunderland... definitely the best part of the season. I come home from work every night and get to watch another cracking game. Just look at the crowds as well... speaks for itself. Definitely going to go into withdrawals next week with games only on weekends.

 

[ShiftyPowers]

nothing like waking up to hear Bill Lawry and Channel 9's opening theme at the start of the Boxing Day test:
even if South Africa aren't touring, I've always tuned in ...

Who doesn't want to literally spend their entire winter break watching the same batter vs. the same bowler without a single break and everyone in the same uniform. Entertainment! Without a doubt cricket is the worst sport in the world.

 

[Sir Calumn]

Who doesn't want to literally spend their entire winter break watching the same batter vs. the same bowler without a single break and everyone in the same uniform. Entertainment! Without a doubt cricket is the worst sport in the world.

**** YOU!!! It is the without a doubt the finest sport in the world. Matches last five days and often dont produce a winner.

Half of my summer is spent glued to the Television watching the England test, the other half out on the green playing......

Only sport I can still play to something approaching a reasonable standard.

 

[RobbieD_PL]

Who doesn't want to literally spend their entire winter break watching the same batter vs. the same bowler without a single break and everyone in the same uniform. Entertainment! Without a doubt cricket is the worst sport in the world.

You call that entertainment? This is entertainment :

 

[Sir Calumn]

Well thanks to the lack of a winter break I have actually felt bored and in withdrawal for the past two days as there's been no FA cup or EPL football for the first time in ages...... thank god those geniuses chose to replay the Tottenham Everton match tonight! I cant wait......

Is it sad that live football has overtaken sex, money, love, work, food, drink, family, literature, art, travel, friendship and pretty much everything else as the highlight of my life...?