david in sweden Posted 20 December, 2009 Share Posted 20 December, 2009 (edited) has started in the football season in most west European countries yesterday - but not in the UK. I couldn't find a link to follow yesterday's game, and watched a Bundesliga match (Bayern Munich) on Eurosport cable TV (in Sweden). Played in a blizzard,with players wearing tights under their kit and everyone with gloves. Only the brave wingers ran fast, and some took heavy falls. Judging by the clothing of fans in the crowd, I'd say it was COLD ! (Bayern won 5-2 btw.) but together with other Euro countries, will have a winter break till January. Spain and Italy break until after New Year. Portugal till 10 jan, France and Germany till 15/16th, and Holland will restart 22nd jan. BUT in the UK we carry on regardless in all weathers. If this current weather pattern continues they'll be lots more postponements, and teams that do play will have to gamble life and limb on pitches barely playable and where skill will be the last factor to be considered. I know its a TRADITION, but over a period of 50 years, I've spent many hard winter afternoons stood in the crowd at The Dell trying to keep warm, while players skated around on a pitch better suited to ice hockey. The " lucky" teams are those who don't have to gamble the three points every match, only because - the pitch is unfit to play on. So WHY do we continue to push so many games into a period where the outdoor climate is at its worst, and matches are a lottery of missed chances? I know many of you will say fan ABSTINENCE is the main problem, but aside from that isn't there a sensible arguement for players to rest and recover (sometimes from injury) before playing the next 30 games of the season...and at least enjoy a Christmas break like the rest of us.? Edited 20 December, 2009 by david in sweden Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Master Bates Posted 20 December, 2009 Share Posted 20 December, 2009 (edited) They get paid thousands every week, so yes they should play and the money they receive can be classed as danger money. It's like saying shouldn't all the soldiers in Afghanistan be able to come home to rest and recover before continuing with their job and at least enjoy a Christmas break. It's their job, they get paid for it. What i've said may be bumkin, but I know what i'm trying to say. Edited 20 December, 2009 by Master Bates Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
david in sweden Posted 20 December, 2009 Author Share Posted 20 December, 2009 They get paid thousands every week, so yes they should play and the money they receive can be classed as danger money. They get paid the same EVERY week (including the summer) so why should the start and finish dates of the season be so " holy" ? They could easily play on until the end of May instead. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Master Bates Posted 20 December, 2009 Share Posted 20 December, 2009 They get paid the same EVERY week (including the summer) so why should the start and finish dates of the season be so " holy" ? They could easily play on until the end of May instead. Yes they could, but they don't as the FA or whomever wish for players to have a break before summer internationals. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
david in sweden Posted 20 December, 2009 Author Share Posted 20 December, 2009 They get paid thousands every week, so yes they should play and the money they receive can be classed as danger money. It's like saying shouldn't all the soldiers in Afghanistan be able to come home to rest and recover before continuing with their job and at least enjoy a Christmas break. It's their job, they get paid for it. What i've said may be bumkin, but I know what i'm trying to say. Well, (with respect)Master Bates - I don't think it is the same arguement. I have a VERY high regard for the lads in Afghanistan, but they can't take a break in their assignment if the ground under them is waterlogged, or there is a snow storm. Those lads need danger money EVERY DAY of their life, and I wish for their sake that none of them were injured or killed, but here we have the opportunity to "control" the game (football ) by not deliberately submitting players to unecessary risk. If we (or anyone) else loses players through a bad injury caused by the weather (and not an opponent) it's just plain stupid. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
david in sweden Posted 20 December, 2009 Author Share Posted 20 December, 2009 Yes they could, but they don't as the FA or whomever wish for players to have a break before summer internationals. Well it works in other countries. In Sweden, as other Scandinavian countries, it's a summer game. (April-Nov) and they simply take a break in the schedule to accomodate tournaments. Plus there's a summer break " baked into " the fixture list, anyway (late June). If it can be done for summer, why not winter? ( Denmark are going to the World Cup and it's mid-season for them.) Anyway, Premiership clubs (where most of the internationals come from - have a shorter club season, anyway and in some countries there are even smaller Premiership leagues than ours. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Legod Third Coming Posted 20 December, 2009 Share Posted 20 December, 2009 Personally, this is a great time of year for the working man (like me) to go and watch football to get out of a house with four women in it (not including her mother!!!!) Long may it continue! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kenilworthy Posted 20 December, 2009 Share Posted 20 December, 2009 The problem is that our unpredictable weather makes a winter break pointless. For example, we had really poor weather this year in late January/early February. So last season a winter break over Christmas would have meant no football when the weather was quite mild and then starting up again to hit the snow. It can work in countries where they can say with reasonable certainty when the bad weather will come, but not for the UK. What would we should do is reduce the number of games played overall, as a 46 game league season is quite ridiculous, and that would take the pressure of having to play games when the conditions are poor. Who wants to watch a game in sub zero temepratures anyway? I have only just thawed out from Elland Road. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
madsent Posted 20 December, 2009 Share Posted 20 December, 2009 has started in the football season in most west European countries yesterday - but not in the UK. I couldn't find a link to follow yesterday's game, and watched a Bundesliga match (Bayern Munich) on Eurosport cable TV (in Sweden). Played in a blizzard,with players wearing tights under their kit and everyone with gloves. Only the brave wingers ran fast, and some took heavy falls. Judging by the clothing of fans in the crowd, I'd say it was COLD ! (Bayern won 5-2 btw.) but together with other Euro countries, will have a winter break till January. Spain and Italy break until after New Year. Portugal till 10 jan, France and Germany till 15/16th, and Holland will restart 22nd jan. BUT in the UK we carry on regardless in all weathers. If this current weather pattern continues they'll be lots more postponements, and teams that do play will have to gamble life and limb on pitches barely playable and where skill will be the last factor to be considered. I know its a TRADITION, but over a period of 50 years, I've spent many hard winter afternoons stood in the crowd at The Dell trying to keep warm, while players skated around on a pitch better suited to ice hockey. The " lucky" teams are those who don't have to gamble the three points every match, only because - the pitch is unfit to play on. So WHY do we continue to push so many games into a period where the outdoor climate is at its worst, and matches are a lottery of missed chances? I know many of you will say fan ABSTINENCE is the main problem, but aside from that isn't there a sensible arguement for players to rest and recover (sometimes from injury) before playing the next 30 games of the season...and at least enjoy a Christmas break like the rest of us.? The weather in Britain is nothing like the weather on the continent thanks to the gulf stream. Snow and consistently freezing temperatures are not the norm in December. Statistically, the coldest months are January and February but even in those months the average low is above freezing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
david in sweden Posted 20 December, 2009 Author Share Posted 20 December, 2009 Personally, this is a great time of year for the working man (like me) to go and watch football to get out of a house with four women in it (not including her mother!!!!) Long may it continue! As I said, I can't disagree with that arguement, but if we (or someone else) lose a key player because of a broken leg, or damaged knee played on an unsuitable surface - it could change the whole season...not to mention that " skill" matters for nothing in these conditions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
david in sweden Posted 20 December, 2009 Author Share Posted 20 December, 2009 The problem is that our unpredictable weather makes a winter break pointless. For example, we had really poor weather this year in late January/early February. So last season a winter break over Christmas would have meant no football when the weather was quite mild and then starting up again to hit the snow. It can work in countries where they can say with reasonable certainty when the bad weather will come, but not for the UK. What would we should do is reduce the number of games played overall, as a 46 game league season is quite ridiculous, and that would take the pressure of having to play games when the conditions are poor. Who wants to watch a game in sub zero temepratures anyway? I have only just thawed out from Elland Road. I agree with you about the unpredictable UK climate, and I recall the 1962/3 season where the FA Cup 3rd round tie v. York (arrnaged for Jan 5th) was eventually played on Feb.13...... after 9 postponements! I wasn't particularly pleading for a Christmas break as such, but a WINTER one. As the "worst " of the UK winter is late Jan/early Feb. Why not then, instead? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dubai_phil Posted 20 December, 2009 Share Posted 20 December, 2009 There should be a Winter Break (if only to spare PL managers from the threat of physical assault when trying to stop players having parties!) There will never be one. How many games does an average English player get through in a season compared to others? You forget that (sadly) football has sod all to do with the fans or the well being of the players. Close a football stadium over Christmas? You're 'avin a larf! Think of all that lost revenue, luverly luverly profits on those replica shirts for the kids at Christmas. The chance for agents to unexpectedly bump into players/managers in a quiet corner of the players lounge just before the transfer window. Yep great idea, but the world runs on greed my friend, and ESPECIALLY the UK & football Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
david in sweden Posted 20 December, 2009 Author Share Posted 20 December, 2009 There should be a Winter Break (if only to spare PL managers from the threat of physical assault when trying to stop players having parties!) There will never be one. How many games does an average English player get through in a season compared to others? You forget that (sadly) football has sod all to do with the fans or the well being of the players. Close a football stadium over Christmas? You're 'avin a larf! Think of all that lost revenue, luverly luverly profits on those replica shirts for the kids at Christmas. The chance for agents to unexpectedly bump into players/managers in a quiet corner of the players lounge just before the transfer window. Yep great idea, but the world runs on greed my friend, and ESPECIALLY the UK & football Well Phil, you may note that I entitled the thread a WINTER BREAK, not necessarily a Christmas one. Another correspondent reminded us the worst winter weather in much of the UK, is late Jan/early Feb. Surely most sensible to consider then instead. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CB Fry Posted 20 December, 2009 Share Posted 20 December, 2009 (edited) There should be a Winter Break (if only to spare PL managers from the threat of physical assault when trying to stop players having parties!) There will never be one. How many games does an average English player get through in a season compared to others? You forget that (sadly) football has sod all to do with the fans or the well being of the players. Close a football stadium over Christmas? You're 'avin a larf! Think of all that lost revenue, luverly luverly profits on those replica shirts for the kids at Christmas. The chance for agents to unexpectedly bump into players/managers in a quiet corner of the players lounge just before the transfer window. Yep great idea, but the world runs on greed my friend, and ESPECIALLY the UK & football How does a Winter Break benefit "the fans"? Four weeks without any football in the middle of the season. That is rubbish for the fans. The fans WANT TO WATCH FOOTBALL ON BOXING DAY. That's why the grounds are packed. Stopping that is not "thinking of the fans", it's sticking two fingers up at the fans. Christ. I'm a fan and I think the idea of a winter break in a temperate climate like ours is total nonsense. Note this is being supported by fans that live in errrrrr Sweden, and Dubai. So presumably not bothered to go to the football on Boxing day for several years. So leave off the preaching and keep your noses out of British working class culture. Edited 20 December, 2009 by CB Fry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
david in sweden Posted 20 December, 2009 Author Share Posted 20 December, 2009 The weather in Britain is nothing like the weather on the continent thanks to the gulf stream. Snow and consistently freezing temperatures are not the norm in December. Statistically, the coldest months are January and February but even in those months the average low is above freezing. I'm recall all my geography lessons about the Gulf Steam, and not to get too heavily into a " un-PC climatic discussion ", some researchers say that the Gulf Steam's effect may disappear soon-( though not, I hope, before we get back in the Premiership). However, aside from the winter of 1963 - there's scarcely been any " real snow " in southern Hampshire, unlike my first winter in Stockholm, when we had snow on the ground from November till April, and it was -22 C in February. As I type this thread, we had ANOTHER 4 inches of snow last night and it was -15 C last Thursday night. I am more and more convinced (for several reasons) that it is sensible to have " some sort " of break at some point in time when the UK winter is at its worst ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Badger Posted 20 December, 2009 Share Posted 20 December, 2009 I don't agree with the winter break,largely because of tradition.Christmas,New Year fixtures are part of the football calender and should remain so. A late Jan-early February break just seems pointless to disrupt the momentum of the season. Anyway give the Prem big 4or5 a break and they would probably fly to Qatar,Australia,or somewhere for a prestige big money tournament. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baj Posted 20 December, 2009 Share Posted 20 December, 2009 I watched the FCB game too and man it was cold! I've been to see FCB a few times on the last or first game before the winter break and its stupidly ****ing cold, was about minus 10 one game. My brother (who lives in Munich) has this as his facebook update "-16 degrees outside and -24 in the wind....".. match still went ahead tho! Im flying out mid Jan for the first game back, FCB v Hoffenheim, will definitely be dressing warm. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VectisSaint Posted 20 December, 2009 Share Posted 20 December, 2009 Having a break that includes Christmas/New Year would be mad. It is very seldom that we get bad weather in late December, and quite honestly its not that bad now for much of the country, its only because its around London that everyone thinks its bad, soft Londoners/Estuaryites. Have a break now and when the bad weather comes in late Jan/Feb there would be fixture chaos. The argument about players needing a rest is also overdone in my opinion. The last thing players need is a rest, injuries will occur when they come back because they have not been training properly. The only ones who argue for rest for players are those that think the international game is more important than club football. Club football is far more important for the vasr majority of people, internationals are usually a waste of time, resting players so they will be fit to meet the mighty Andorra, complete rubbish. Premier league teams are always banging on about resting their players, then they take them on gruelling tours of the Far East, total codswallop. Even the Scots have done away with the mid-winter break again, because there just aren't enough midweek slots to get the games played. The last time there was serious disruption to fixtures in this country (and I mean serious) was 1963 when there were no games for weeks, since then its been realtively easy to get games played. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dubai_phil Posted 20 December, 2009 Share Posted 20 December, 2009 How does a Winter Break benefit "the fans"? Four weeks without any football in the middle of the season. That is rubbish for the fans. The fans WANT TO WATCH FOOTBALL ON BOXING DAY. That's why the grounds are packed. Stopping that is not "thinking of the fans", it's sticking two fingers up at the fans. Christ. I'm a fan and I think the idea of a winter break in a temperate climate like ours is total nonsense. Note this is being supported by fans that live in errrrrr Sweden, and Dubai. So presumably not bothered to go to the football on Boxing day for several years. So leave off the preaching and keep your noses out of British working class culture. Whoa there. I wasn't Supporting it, I was saying it doesn't matter two hoots whether fans OR players want it, because of GREED no football club in England will ever vote to allow two or more weeks without income. The Xmas quote/example was to match David's "Germany is now closed" was about clubs not wanting to miss the selling opportunity of having their shops closed when they can pump kids full of crap made in Chinese factories exploiting low paid labour to maximise their profits! Whether the break is over Christmas or in January is irrelevant, it will never happen. As a FAN, I would support a break in seasons when we have a World Cup or Euro Championship if only to give the England players a rest and to the chance to cure "niggling" injuries. Hell, I miss the Boxing Day games and will never forget the nightmare of that early morning new Year's Day game at The Dell against Arsenal with the hangover from hell. The issue about winter break won't happen, English teams play too many football matches and burn their players out. They'd be better having a few less games of better quality but again that ain't gonna happen either. As for what date you pick, when did English weather EVER follow a reliable pattern:), set the break for Jan/Feb you'll be knee deep in snow at the end of April for 2 weeks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
david in sweden Posted 20 December, 2009 Author Share Posted 20 December, 2009 How does a Winter Break benefit "the fans"? Four weeks without any football in the middle of the season. That is rubbish for the fans. The fans WANT TO WATCH FOOTBALL ON BOXING DAY. That's why the grounds are packed. Stopping that is not "thinking of the fans", it's sticking two fingers up at the fans. Christ. I'm a fan and I think the idea of a winter break in a temperate climate like ours is total nonsense. Note this is being supported by fans that live in errrrrr Sweden, and Dubai. So presumably not bothered to go to the football on Boxing day for several years. So leave off the preaching and keep your noses out of British working class culture. As a product of British working class culture, I am well aware of the enormous significance of the " holy Christmas football " fixtures, having stood for many seasons on the Dell terraces. I wasn't necessarily advocating a break BEFORE Christmas, but as the thread is entitled a " Winter " one . Those illustrations given were from Euro lands where they have between 2-3 weeks pause - a necessity when there is so much snow on the ground- (only the Dutch need longer, presumably because thawing snow causes flooding in such a flat landscape) ? Several others here have suggested a break in late Jan / early Feb. as that sounds quite reasonable. Surely more sensible than the lottery of games played on frozen pitches in freezing rain. Finally, who ever suggested that the UK had a " temperate climate" when a walk down a windy Shirley High Street in mid january is about the worst climatic experience you'll get short of a trip to Antarctica :cool:- and I say that with 12 inches of snow outside my front door waiting to be cleared away.:mad: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Kraken Posted 20 December, 2009 Share Posted 20 December, 2009 The only way I'd support a winter break would be if the clubs were forced to actually take a break, and that any friendly fixtures (even those behind closed doors) were strictly forbidden. This will never happen with the Premier League; the greed of all involved would just mean that they'd all be off to the Far East are other far flung regions of the globe to top up the bank balance, thereby making the true value of a winter break totally redundant. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Badger Posted 20 December, 2009 Share Posted 20 December, 2009 Whoa there. Hell, I miss the Boxing Day games and will never forget the nightmare of that early morning new Year's Day game at The Dell against Arsenal with the hangover from hell. I too shared your suffering that morning,assuming it to be the same game.c 1979/80 from recollection. Hungover,freezing bloody cold for ctwo hours on the terrace.Pretty crap game and losing to a single goal scored by Willie Young. On a similar topic,The only game I've willingly forgone after buying a ticket was the Boxing Day fixture v Watford (c1983) as I was too hungover,or probably p!ssed still, to consider sitting behind the wheel of a car and driving there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dubai_phil Posted 20 December, 2009 Share Posted 20 December, 2009 It isn't Christmas yet. We've already played 29 games. The fixture list shows a total of 55 games this season assuming we get knocked out of both cups. Compare that to an average European League, how many games do they get to play? English football is too greedy, want too many games and there is no way 2 weeks could be lost from a fixture list that big, hell there'd be no time for the Cricket season Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
david in sweden Posted 20 December, 2009 Author Share Posted 20 December, 2009 (edited) It isn't Christmas yet. We've already played 29 games. The fixture list shows a total of 55 games this season assuming we get knocked out of both cups. Compare that to an average European League, how many games do they get to play? English football is too greedy, want too many games and there is no way 2 weeks could be lost from a fixture list that big, hell there'd be no time for the Cricket season For info. Many Euro Premiership leagues have around 20 teams (as we do), and a cup competition although I'm unsure about fixture lists for lower leagus sides. They really need as many games as possible from the economic standpoint. Any break at all would only extend thefootball season till mid/end of May. Cricket is already ongoing in mid-April. The cricket season goes on until mid September by which time football has been playing about 4-5 weeks. There is always an overlap of the two, although for schoolboys and pensioners there was always a joy to watch a game at the County Ground and then walk down to the Dell for an evening kick-off. Not so easy nowadays admittedly. Edited 20 December, 2009 by david in sweden Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sfcuk fan Posted 20 December, 2009 Share Posted 20 December, 2009 It's like saying shouldn't all the soldiers in Afghanistan be able to come home to rest and recover before continuing with their job and at least enjoy a Christmas break. It's their job, they get paid for it. Slightly off topic but ...... In my opinion, our soldiers in Afghanistan should be paid thousands of pounds per week, not the namby pamby footballers who get paid a fortune for doing something they enjoy ! Make the pussys play in the cold and wet and PAY OUR SOLDIERS MORE ! . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
david in sweden Posted 20 December, 2009 Author Share Posted 20 December, 2009 Slightly off topic but ...... In my opinion, our soldiers in Afghanistan should be paid thousands of pounds per week, not the namby pamby footballers who get paid a fortune for doing something they enjoy ! Make the pussys play in the cold and wet and PAY OUR SOLDIERS MORE ! . Absolutely, the only people who'd be likely to argue against that idea would be a Premiership player! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baj Posted 20 December, 2009 Share Posted 20 December, 2009 Slightly off topic but ...... In my opinion, our soldiers in Afghanistan should be paid thousands of pounds per week, not the namby pamby footballers who get paid a fortune for doing something they enjoy ! Make the pussys play in the cold and wet and PAY OUR SOLDIERS MORE ! . Agreed, but(thankfully for us) we don't have the facilities to go out and watch them do their job each saturday, or indeed have lucrative TV contracts to broadcast their efforts to our home every other evening. Remember, the players are only paid as a proportion of the individual TV, advertising and gate incomes, which in every case are affected by the interest that we show Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Whitey Grandad Posted 20 December, 2009 Share Posted 20 December, 2009 For info. Many Euro Premiership leagues have around 20 teams (as we do), and a cup competition although I'm unsure about fixture lists for lower leagus sides. They really need as many games as possible from the economic standpoint. Any break at all would only extend thefootball season till mid/end of May. Cricket is already ongoing in mid-April. The cricket season goes on until mid September by which time football has been playing about 4-5 weeks. There is always an overlap of the two, although for schoolboys and pensioners there was always a joy to watch a game at the County Ground and then walk down to the Dell for an evening kick-off. Not so easy nowadays admittedly. That's only so that they can arrange a 'Champions League' and a 'Europa League'. I am totally against reducing the sizes of the divisions so that the football politicians can tinker with their empire-building. And as others have said, you can't schedule a mid-season break in England. There would be a month of inactivity during a relativley mild spell followed by a month or two of freezing blizzards and cancellations. Even then, the better stadiums are perfectly capable of safely staging a match. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
david in sweden Posted 20 December, 2009 Author Share Posted 20 December, 2009 It isn't Christmas yet. We've already played 29 games. The fixture list shows a total of 55 games this season assuming we get knocked out of both cups. Compare that to an average European League, how many games do they get to play? English football is too greedy, want too many games and there is no way 2 weeks could be lost from a fixture list that big, hell there'd be no time for the Cricket season Actually the stats. need not be so different. I'd go along with your 55 games -so far....but for the top 6 in the Premiership. 38 games PLUS Euro qual. games..say another 12 games PLUS a cup run with a few rounds in the League (and /or) FA Cup you'd be up to about the same. The only teams likely to play LESS would be those at the bottom of the Prem. who might go out of those Cups in the early rounds, and only play 40-42 games... even the CCC play 46 League games to start with - don't they ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thedelldays Posted 20 December, 2009 Share Posted 20 December, 2009 has started in the football season in most west European countries yesterday - but not in the UK. I couldn't find a link to follow yesterday's game, and watched a Bundesliga match (Bayern Munich) on Eurosport cable TV (in Sweden). Played in a blizzard,with players wearing tights under their kit and everyone with gloves. Only the brave wingers ran fast, and some took heavy falls. Judging by the clothing of fans in the crowd, I'd say it was COLD ! (Bayern won 5-2 btw.) but together with other Euro countries, will have a winter break till January. Spain and Italy break until after New Year. Portugal till 10 jan, France and Germany till 15/16th, and Holland will restart 22nd jan. BUT in the UK we carry on regardless in all weathers. If this current weather pattern continues they'll be lots more postponements, and teams that do play will have to gamble life and limb on pitches barely playable and where skill will be the last factor to be considered. I know its a TRADITION, but over a period of 50 years, I've spent many hard winter afternoons stood in the crowd at The Dell trying to keep warm, while players skated around on a pitch better suited to ice hockey. The " lucky" teams are those who don't have to gamble the three points every match, only because - the pitch is unfit to play on. So WHY do we continue to push so many games into a period where the outdoor climate is at its worst, and matches are a lottery of missed chances? I know many of you will say fan ABSTINENCE is the main problem, but aside from that isn't there a sensible arguement for players to rest and recover (sometimes from injury) before playing the next 30 games of the season...and at least enjoy a Christmas break like the rest of us.? all for it...just have to drop the league cup and the JPT from English competition Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CB Fry Posted 20 December, 2009 Share Posted 20 December, 2009 Finally, who ever suggested that the UK had a " temperate climate" when a walk down a windy Shirley High Street in mid january is about the worst climatic experience you'll get short of a trip to Antarctica :cool:- and I say that with 12 inches of snow outside my front door waiting to be cleared away.:mad: As someone who lived in Shirley for twenty odd years and used to work in the greengrocers on the high street at 5:30am every morning as a nipper I can can say it got cold, but not that cold. Don't be silly. We live in a temperate climate and it is rarely this cold before Christmas. And god knows when there was 12 inches of snow in Shirley, but certainly not in the last thirty years, suggesting it isn't a regular occurance. And how many games have ever been called off at SMS due to the cold? I think it might be two, but it's probably one, and that was for actual real snow. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thedelldays Posted 20 December, 2009 Share Posted 20 December, 2009 I think we have only lost one game at SMS...that was palace when it was raining heavily for a few days and the pitch was soaked one whole game Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arizona Posted 20 December, 2009 Share Posted 20 December, 2009 I think we have only lost one game at SMS...that was palace when it was raining heavily for a few days and the pitch was soaked one whole game Yep. Palace in January '06. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thedelldays Posted 20 December, 2009 Share Posted 20 December, 2009 Yep. Palace in January '06. that was it...what was annoying (if I remember rightly) we were actually on a run of good form with arry and looked like we could put a few wins together... the rest as they say, is history Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Master Bates Posted 20 December, 2009 Share Posted 20 December, 2009 Make the pussys play in the cold and wet and PAY OUR SOLDIERS MORE ! +1. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
david in sweden Posted 20 December, 2009 Author Share Posted 20 December, 2009 As someone who lived in Shirley for twenty odd years and used to work in the greengrocers on the high street at 5:30am every morning as a nipper I can can say it got cold, but not that cold. Don't be silly. We live in a temperate climate and it is rarely this cold before Christmas. And god knows when there was 12 inches of snow in Shirley, but certainly not in the last thirty years, suggesting it isn't a regular occurance. And how many games have ever been called off at SMS due to the cold? I think it might be two, but it's probably one, and that was for actual real snow. A little clarification needed here, I think. I always remember it as there was often a cold, blowing wind along Shirley High Street in JANUARY, as I used to walk down there to shop very regularly - even though it was 25 years ago. Although its supposed to be a temperate climate, the wind coming off the water does create extra cold conditions in wintertime. (my reference to cold) ..and the 12" inches of snow I refer to is here outside my home in Stockholm. SMS has a well-prepared pitch that is very well cared for, but its not so in some other grounds (my ref.again) around the country that often resemble ploughed fields. Contrary to most British conceptions of the Nordic weather. There is nothing unpleasant about a lot of snow in a country that lives with it several months of the year. It's only unpleasant when the wind blows...or like today, when you have to go and shovel the bl**** stuff away three times a day.:mad: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
david in sweden Posted 20 December, 2009 Author Share Posted 20 December, 2009 +1. Get the Players Union to write a clause in every contract - if you can ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RonManager Posted 20 December, 2009 Share Posted 20 December, 2009 I wonder how the winter break affects form? The data is out there. And before you ask - no, I'm too busy re-painting the cat. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saintkiptanui Posted 20 December, 2009 Share Posted 20 December, 2009 It never gets that cold, debate over. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
david in sweden Posted 21 December, 2009 Author Share Posted 21 December, 2009 (edited) It never gets that cold, debate over. not in So'ton maybe, but just ask anyone who was at the Leeds game what winter weather is like in the North. Away games are worth 3 points as well. Listening to the BBC after-match interview. Leeds boss Simon Grayson praised his ground sraff for the great effort they made in cleaning all the snow from the pitch before kick-off time.! Not the best conditions for any game. Edited 21 December, 2009 by david in sweden Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
channonball Posted 21 December, 2009 Share Posted 21 December, 2009 Conditions were fine for the game. No danger of injury to the fans or the players. Worst idea ever! FACT. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CB Fry Posted 21 December, 2009 Share Posted 21 December, 2009 not in So'ton maybe, but just ask anyone who was at the Leeds game what winter weather is like in the North. Away games are worth 3 points as well. Listening to the BBC after-match interview. Leeds boss Simon Grayson praised his ground sraff for the great effort they made in cleaning all the snow from the pitch before kick-off time.! Not the best conditions for any game. Neither is rain, and neither is sweltering sun. I wonder if you could forward a list of the five weekends you have earmarked that we have your permission to play football in? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andyb1 Posted 21 December, 2009 Share Posted 21 December, 2009 Well, (with respect)Master Bates - I don't think it is the same arguement. I have a VERY high regard for the lads in Afghanistan, but they can't take a break in their assignment if the ground under them is waterlogged, or there is a snow storm. Those lads need danger money EVERY DAY of their life, and I wish for their sake that none of them were injured or killed, but here we have the opportunity to "control" the game (football ) by not deliberately submitting players to unecessary risk. If we (or anyone) else loses players through a bad injury caused by the weather (and not an opponent) it's just plain stupid. I love playing football in winter, its the best time of year to play. If the conditions are dangerous that GAME should be called off. No football over the Xmas period = no Xmas fun... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
david in sweden Posted 21 December, 2009 Author Share Posted 21 December, 2009 (edited) I did think this was a serious suggestion worth consideration but it seems I'm in the minority and so I'm happy to quit now. It seems few people had read the original post that carefully. But to summarise - I was NOT neccesarily advocating a break AT Christmas, but at some suitable time when the UK's (so-called) temperate climate is at its worst.(Some here suggested end Jan /mid Feb). We all agreed that footballers were overpaid and that soldiers in Afghanistan were worth more (especially as footballers don't get shot at every day). Most people seemed happy to have our teams playing for 9 months non-stop without a break, but will (I suspect) complain bitterly when England exit from the World Cup for the same reason. I NEVER said that SMS had a pitch problem either, but many other clubs (especially some further north do - ask those travelling away fans). I also enjoyed Boxing Day fixtures when in the UK, but always asked myself if it was such a good idea as few positive results ever came out of the Box. Day / New Year fixtures ? (well rarely for Saints anyway.) Most of us get a break around the New year, but footballers don't and those with nagging injuries have little time to recover. So that's my lot said and I'm happy for the Mods to close this thread if they wish. Merry Christmas and the hope that (for once at least,) we can get a full pot from the holiday fixtures. Edited 21 December, 2009 by david in sweden Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RonManager Posted 21 December, 2009 Share Posted 21 December, 2009 I did think this was a serious suggestion worth consideration but it seems I'm in the minority and so I'm happy to quit now. It seems few people had read the original post that carefully. But to summarise - I was NOT neccesarily advocating a break AT Christmas, but at some suitable time when the UK's (so-called) temperate climate is at its worst.(Some here suggested end Jan /mid Feb). We all agreed that footballers were overpaid and that soldiers in Afghanistan were worth more (especially as footballers don't get shot at every day). Most people seemed happy to have our teams playing for 9 months non-stop without a break, but will (I suspect) complain bitterly when England exit from the World Cup for the same reason. I NEVER said that SMS had a pitch problem either, but many other clubs (especially some further north do - ask those travelling away fans). I also enjoyed Boxing Day fixtures when in the UK, but always asked myself if it was such a good idea as few positive results ever came out of the Box. Day / New Year fixtures ? (well rarely for Saints anyway.) Most of us get a break around the New year, but footballers don't and those with nagging injuries have little time to recover. So that's my lot said and I'm happy for the Mods to close this thread if they wish. Merry Christmas and the hope that (for once at least,) we can get a full pot from the holiday fixtures. Damn, and I thought my thinly veiled laziness would inspire you to do some stat digging to see if a 4 week break does actually have an adverse effect on the form of high-flying clubs, which would, I think be a quite interesting thing to know. Oh well.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
londonsaint1604 Posted 21 December, 2009 Share Posted 21 December, 2009 So WHY do we continue to push so many games into a period where the outdoor climate is at its worst, and matches are a lottery of missed chances? I know many of you will say fan ABSTINENCE is the main problem, but aside from that isn't there a sensible arguement for players to rest and recover (sometimes from injury) before playing the next 30 games of the season...and at least enjoy a Christmas break like the rest of us.? Tradition. And because their 'job' is to play football so I couldn't give a toss if it all gets a bit much over the christmas period. If it wasn't for the football over christmas I would probably end up sectioned under the mental health act. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
david in sweden Posted 25 December, 2009 Author Share Posted 25 December, 2009 of course, the response to this suggestion was fairly predicable, though I didn't expect such an angry response from some. However, just when I'd admitted defeat and put this one to bed, I then noticed that Alan Pardew's comments in " calling for focus " on the OS, also contained some of my own worries about the subject. Reading between the lines, he seems to suggest he enjoys the idea of " holiday football " but has experienced the backlash of New year games that upset the form table. Of course if we're lucky enough to pick up 9 points in the next three League games, people will be happier and think nothing of it, but if they go wrong, it's a real kick in the a** for hopes of a sustained improvement. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Godfather Posted 25 December, 2009 Share Posted 25 December, 2009 Trouble is with a winter break is where would you fit in the fixtures that would normally be sceduled over that period? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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