Is it me or is the start of the season too hectic

[Bootle Buck]

The respected associations, The FA, UEFA and FIFA need to take a long hard look at the amount of fixtures so early in the season, especially after a WC summer. That included being forced into flying to Japan for a somewhat meaningless tournament.

 

Many of our lads have only had about two months off since the the beginning of the 2004-2005 season.

 

Then they try and fit a friendly and two international games in the first weeks of the season.

 

No fecking wonder managers are forced into rotation and having a squad of 24 players. Young players like Steven Gerrard will be burned out before they are 30 at this rate.

[Nebraska Red]

the first thing they should do is allow the Winter break to be in effect across the whole of Europe.

 

they should also allow the teams involved in European competitions the option of withdrawing from the League Cup, or get shut of it all together.

[Andy @ Allerton]

Just get rid of all International fixtures and teams until the world or regional cups are actually being played

[Bootle Buck]

I would like to see the top teams in Europe go through to the Euro Finals automatically and let the minnows fight it out for a few places. Teams like England, Germany and Italy should not have to waste time playing the likes of Andorra, Faroe Islands or Lichtenstein. Too many chances of fatigue and injury.

[timbos goals]

Just get rid of all International fixtures and teams until the world or regional cups are actually being played

 

Oh that something as drastic as that could ever come about.

 

I'm afraid, however, it'll get worse before it gets better. FIFA and EUFA rule the roost more powerfully than ever and they themselves are cowtowing to every minor country that exists. You watch, the Isle of Man will be in England's next group.

 

From the perspective of a top club like us, the situation is becoming almost intolerable. As Bootle Buck says the start of a season was never meant to accommodate 3 internationals with the international managers granted complete access to whichever players he wants at the expense of the clubs who pay their wages.

 

It's completely disrupted the only thing we as fans of a top club really care about. Our own club's games. Really, how the hell can the likes of us work up any enthusiasm for a game against Macedonia?

 

It's b****x.

 

And look at the contrast in our performances before and since the Internationals. Against West Ham we were brimming with spark and invention. Not perfect, but some great pass and move. Something good was blossoming.

 

Since the internationals? Flat as a witch's t**.

 

But that's the point. The internationals are only b****x for the proper hardcore fans of the top clubs. Fans of Exeter City or whoever absolutely love it since it's their chance to get off on seeing/supporting decent footballers for a change.

 

Also - significantly and understandably - the top players love the international breaks. It's their chance for wider recognition and kudos for them being top players. They're not bemoaning extra caps because their club form and their club's form suffers.

 

I fookin hate the internationals with a real vengeance. If they're was never another solitary international during the footy season I'd be as high as a Kuyt.

 

Edited September 14, 2006 by timbos goals

[Cobs]

perhaps England should fall into line with the rest of Europe

 

reduce the number of teams in the Premiership and abolish the League Cup.

 

 

Problem solved.

 

 

 

Or is this just another excuse to whinge about Ingurland?

[Coyler]

Manchester United have played four league matches and one European match (one less than our total) and gone WWWWW. Hectic.

 

Imagine the uproar on their forums if Ferguson had have rested Giggs last night, though

[badtodabone]

Flat as a witch's t**.

 

isnt it as cold as a witches t** ?why are witches t*** flat?

[timbos goals]

isnt it as cold as a witches t** ?why are witches t*** flat?

 

Nah - all the witches I've come across have warm but exceedingly flat t***. And as for the wizards....

 

[Bootle Buck]

Manchester United have played four league matches and one European match (one less than our total) and gone WWWWW. Hectic.

 

Imagine the uproar on their forums if Ferguson had have rested Giggs last night, though

 

They also didn't have to play two CL qualifiers and the Community Shield within the space of about 10 days.

[Cobs]

They also didn't have to play two CL qualifiers and the Community Shield within the space of about 10 days.

neither did anyone else

 

 

you can't expect the international fixture calendar to be organised on the basis of what games Liverpool have got coming up

[Gilps]

Just get rid of all International fixtures and teams until the world or regional cups are actually being played

 

How would you decide which teams played in the World Cup, the Euro's, the Copa America, the African Cup of Nations, etc?

 

perhaps England should fall into line with the rest of Europe

 

reduce the number of teams in the Premiership and abolish the League Cup.

Problem solved.

Or is this just another excuse to whinge about Ingurland?

 

Even just doing away with the league cup might do it. They've still got 20 teams in La Liga and you don't seem to get the same complaints from Spain.

[Stew F]

isnt it as cold as a witches t** ?why are witches t*** flat?

Surely its as dry as a witches t**? why would they be either cold or flat?

[G Richards]

Meaningless internationals should be looked at. Totally agree with the suggestion of the better European nations automatically qualifying, with the smaller nations having to qualify.

 

Agree with a mandatory 2 week midwinter break too.

 

Those 2 steps should sort a lot of congestion problems out, as well as giving players a better chance to be at their best with a built in break.

[timbos goals]

Surely its as dry as a witches t**? why would they be either cold or flat?

 

Nah, definitely warm, flat and wet.

 

 

Not sure why though