Post by Norah on Dec 24, 2015 9:19:44 GMT
Whilst trawling through the internet I have come across this. What do you think? it would certainly help us that like to go away on a holiday in Jananuary 
www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/sportbcfc/14165382.Bradford_City_defender_McArdle__Winter_break_would_leave_me_cold/?
City face promotion rivals Burton Albion and Sheffield United in the space of 48 hours over the festive weekend. They then kick off 2016 against another high-flyer with a long trip to Gillingham.
It is shaping up to be a crucial period for the Bantams but one that McArdle insists they will relish.
And he has no time for the constant plea from Premier League bosses to fall in line with the rest of Europe and introduce a mid-season breather.
McArdle said: "I wouldn't be happy about having a break. There are enough fixtures as there are now, especially in the Football League.
"The Premier League and teams abroad don't play as many games as we do – and if you have a cup run, that's another five or six.
"Squads aren't so big below the Championship and a lot of teams don't have the resources to make 11 changes and freshen it up. They wouldn't be able to cope.
"I don't want to see it happen but the decision will probably come from higher up, as it always does."
McArdle was playing for Aberdeen when the Scottish League considered their own mid-season break because of the bad weather.
He said: "The problem they had was when to have it. They could set a two-week schedule and the snow won't come – there's no guarantee when the worst weather will hit.
"For me, it's all right having the break but the lads are going to be in training anyway.
"If your team's bottom of the league and struggling with no points, you aren't going to be getting days off.
"The games that you miss will go to midweeks and you'll end up playing Saturday, Tuesday, Saturday, Tuesday, Saturday, Tuesday. It wouldn't help."
Boxing Day is one of the high spots on the calendar for fans and McArdle admits the players love games over the holiday period – even if it means moderating their own Christmas celebrations.
He said: "It's always a special time. I remember going to games when I was younger and the atmosphere was better.
"You always get a few extra thousand fans on Boxing Day and there are probably a fair few still a bit tipsy from the day before.
"Everyone is generally in a good mood over the festive period and hopefully we can keep them like that.
"It's a busy time for us – but it's not like we're the only people who work over Christmas. Think about people in hospitals and places like that.
"It's the sacrifice you make to be a footballer. If you wanted to go on the lash for two weeks, the lads wouldn't be in this type of employment.
Share article
"The gaffer trusts everyone to be sensible and I'm sure all the lads will have their minds on the Boxing Day game.
"Come the end of the season, hopefully if we get to where we want to be there'll be plenty of time to have a drink."
www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/sportbcfc/14165382.Bradford_City_defender_McArdle__Winter_break_would_leave_me_cold/?
City face promotion rivals Burton Albion and Sheffield United in the space of 48 hours over the festive weekend. They then kick off 2016 against another high-flyer with a long trip to Gillingham.
It is shaping up to be a crucial period for the Bantams but one that McArdle insists they will relish.
And he has no time for the constant plea from Premier League bosses to fall in line with the rest of Europe and introduce a mid-season breather.
McArdle said: "I wouldn't be happy about having a break. There are enough fixtures as there are now, especially in the Football League.
"The Premier League and teams abroad don't play as many games as we do – and if you have a cup run, that's another five or six.
"Squads aren't so big below the Championship and a lot of teams don't have the resources to make 11 changes and freshen it up. They wouldn't be able to cope.
"I don't want to see it happen but the decision will probably come from higher up, as it always does."
McArdle was playing for Aberdeen when the Scottish League considered their own mid-season break because of the bad weather.
He said: "The problem they had was when to have it. They could set a two-week schedule and the snow won't come – there's no guarantee when the worst weather will hit.
"For me, it's all right having the break but the lads are going to be in training anyway.
"If your team's bottom of the league and struggling with no points, you aren't going to be getting days off.
"The games that you miss will go to midweeks and you'll end up playing Saturday, Tuesday, Saturday, Tuesday, Saturday, Tuesday. It wouldn't help."
Boxing Day is one of the high spots on the calendar for fans and McArdle admits the players love games over the holiday period – even if it means moderating their own Christmas celebrations.
He said: "It's always a special time. I remember going to games when I was younger and the atmosphere was better.
"You always get a few extra thousand fans on Boxing Day and there are probably a fair few still a bit tipsy from the day before.
"Everyone is generally in a good mood over the festive period and hopefully we can keep them like that.
"It's a busy time for us – but it's not like we're the only people who work over Christmas. Think about people in hospitals and places like that.
"It's the sacrifice you make to be a footballer. If you wanted to go on the lash for two weeks, the lads wouldn't be in this type of employment.
Share article
"The gaffer trusts everyone to be sensible and I'm sure all the lads will have their minds on the Boxing Day game.
"Come the end of the season, hopefully if we get to where we want to be there'll be plenty of time to have a drink."
