Groans and complaints greet a packed fixture during the festive season of the English Premier League each year. The calls for the much-vaunted winter break to be introduced TO EASE CONGESTION come soon behind. After all, what manager would rather muddle through with a bandaged-up and tired side than put out a fresh, prepared one, asks FRANCIS KELLY.
Fifty matches in 23 days. Read that again; let it sink in for a moment. Sounds like a lot, right? That’s because it is. However, this is what awaits Premier League players and fans alike, as the jam-packed festive fixture programme kicks in.
It’s enough to make supporters a giddy mess with excitement. Although you can’t blame them when there’s so much football to watch in such a short space of time. The same glee at reading the fixture list cannot be said for the managers, though, especially those battling to be number one.
It’s an understandable reaction when you consider that six out of the last seven clubs that have sat atop the table at Christmas went on to win the Premier League. This end-of-year football extravaganza may not secure you the title, but it can certainly break your chances of lifting the trophy. And so, groans and complaints greet the schedule each year at the thought of playing four or five games in a condensed period. The calls for the much-vaunted winter break to be introduced to ease congestion come soon behind. After all, what manager would rather muddle through with a bandagedup and tired side than put out a fresh, prepared one?
JURGEN KLOPP HAS ALREADY revealed his frustration at the calendar that sees his Liverpool team host Manchester City on New Year’s Eve and then play away at Sunderland 45-and-a-half hours later. Klopp has so far benefited from only competing for domestic honours this season, with Liverpool not in either the Champions League or Europa League.
Yet as injuries mount — Philippe Coutinho, Daniel Sturridge and Emre Can are all currently out, while Dejan Lovern is also doubtful — the thought of moving ahead of his weary competitors challenging on multiple fronts is fading away. Playing two crucial matches in such close proximity is most likely going to exasperate the issue further.
Bu hikaye Sportstar dergisinin December 24, 2016 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Giriş Yap
Bu hikaye Sportstar dergisinin December 24, 2016 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Giriş Yap
Tokyo Marathon Cancelled For Amateurs On Coronavirus Fears
Organisers in Japan cancelled the amateur portion of the Tokyo marathon, affecting around 38,000 runners, on fears about the spread of the new coronavirus in Japan.
Right Criteria To Pick The Tennis GOAT
What should the criteria be? What weight should be attached to each criterion? And what should not be considered as valid criteria?
The making of a batting behemoth
If Steve Smith dominated the Ashes in England in a dramatic, blockbuster fashion then his like for like a replacement, Marnus Labuschagne, is the Next Big Thing after an exciting summer of run-glut.
WHEN ACES WERE REWARDED...
It was an evening of nostalgia and celebration when the Sportstar Aces awards were given away in Mumbai.
A question of recognition
After a week of awards, one wonders if it’s only a departed player that one will be named after.
Thinking straight, thinking right!
“A lot depends on when I am bowling and what is required from me. That’s something I do when I play for India and I try to follow the same thing in the domestic circuit,” says Yuzvendra Chahal.
The Big Three and the Next Gen
Though the Big Three are very unlikely to retire during the same year, Judy Murray, mother of Andy, echoed the sentiments of many fans worried about the impact of their departures.
WAKING UP TO MENTAL HEALTH
Sport at large and cricket specifically has taken an inordinately long time to address the elephant in the room — the dark abyss of depression.
Like sunshine in a gloomy dressing room
Bangladesh quick Abu Jayed Rahi is new in the red-ball arena, but his swing brings back old memories — of James Anderson on green tops.
The league of the masses
With traditional clubs locking horns with the hard-working nurseries of the game, the I-League will continue to keep the beating heart of Indian football alive despite official apathy.
