Town boss Paul Lambert believes there is too much football played over the Christmas period in England and says he was a fan of the winter break during his time playing in Germany.

The Blues are in action at Portsmouth on Saturday, then at home to Gillingham on Boxing Day, at Lincoln on Sunday 29th December and then away against Wycombe on New Year’s Day, four League One matches in 12 days with a trip to Exeter in the Leasing.com Trophy following on Saturday 4th January.

“The games come thick and fast and the travelling comes thick and fast,” Lambert said. “And you’re asking fans to fork out a lot of money and I think that’s the unfair thing, and I think the quality dips.

“People can say ‘It’s a poor game’, well no wonder, you’re asking people to go week in, week out all the time and it’s tough going.”

Given the number of games, does Lambert expect to have to utilise the full extent of his squad over the course of the festive fixtures? “It depends who is injured and who’s carrying knocks. We’ve got to watch guys so we wait and see who’s going to be fit and who’s not, or who gets a red card, nobody knows.”

Lambert says he was a fan of the winter break during his time as a player with Borussia Dortmund between 1996 and 1997.

“When I played in Germany I loved the winter break, absolutely loved it,” he said. “It was great for everybody, great for the fans.

“I always think when you have too many games the quality goes down and you’re asking fans to fork out money after money after money, and I think that’s wrong, I think it’s unfair.

“Spain has a break, Italy have a break, Germany have a break and I even think Scotland are doing it this year, so England must be the only one of the big countries to carry on through.

“I’m not a great fan of [playing over Christmas] because I know the benefit of [a break] if you carry knocks or have injuries, I think it’s good when you have the break.

“Germany was great because you could go anywhere you wanted, you could go to Italy on holiday, you could go to Spain or anywhere.

“I loved it. I came back in really good condition and a few months later you win the Champions League.”

Although the Premier League has instigated a 10-day break starting from February 2020, that doesn’t apply to the EFL.

Reflecting further, he added: “I think it’s up to the individual. You asked me personally and I liked the break, especially when I was over in Germany, I really enjoyed my time there.”

Managers don’t get much time off over the holiday period, but Lambert says that’s something he’s used to and he’ll be able to kick back and relax once his career is over.

“That’s been my life,” he said. “When it does happen and I do stop I’m looking forward to it.

“I don’t know how long that will be, but when I do eventually stop I’ll look forward to sitting back with no stress, not talking to you guys [the media], looking from afar somewhere.

“When it’s time to say it’s enough, because I’ve done this now since 1985 as a footballer and then a manager from 2005, so it’s a helluva long time to be in football.

“I made my debut when I was 15 and I’ve never really been out of it for that long, so it’s just been continuous pressure, pressure, pressure, success, success, success or failure, it’s been like that. Thankfully I’ve had more highs than lows.”

Photo: TWTD

londontractorboy57 added 10:58 - Dec 20 Professional footballers why doesn't Lambert just wrap them up in Cotton wool and send them their inflated wages round to their homes by taxi save them getting out of bed. They should be spending 10 hours a day practising shooting, win a few games that will make the fans happy.
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MrTown added 11:20 - Dec 20 I didn't know you played in Germany and won the Champions League Paul
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jayessess added 11:23 - Dec 20 Given that we've got one of the biggest squads in the league I would've thought fixture congestion works in our favour?
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Kropotkin123 added 11:26 - Dec 20 I think all the leagues should be restructured to 20 teams. Scrap the League cup, scrap this stupid trophy. I like the boxing day game, but free up the schedule either side of it.
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BlueBlood90 added 11:34 - Dec 20 Did Lambert play in Germany? He should've said....
4

RobITFC added 11:52 - Dec 20 Getting his excuses in early! WE have the biggest squad and the players have had a damn good rest compared to many other clubs!
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monty_radio added 12:01 - Dec 20 If we did have a break, Christmas wouldn't be the right time anyway. Hard to second-guess the weather, but such bad weeks as we do get tend to be mid-Jan to mid-Feb.
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Reuserscurtains added 12:04 - Dec 20 More excuses than McCarthy this man. Far worse manager too. At least he puts a few fosters behind the bar in the fan zone ey
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Suffolkboy added 12:13 - Dec 20 How sad that comments made in the course of genuine conversation with the media (always looking for an angle to chase interest ) are picked out for detrimental assessments ! There are some determined sad-does around : obviously some thinkers at our higher levels DO feel a winter break is the correct thing ! COYB
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Mark added 12:27 - Dec 20 As others wrote, I thought the fixture congestion would be our competitive advantage with a big squad so we should feel the benefits of our rotation policy earlier in the season as our fresh players go into battle against the weary players of smaller teams. It feels to me like the players have had lots of breaks, making the season rather stop-start. There was a 17-day league break only recently.

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ITFCsince73 added 12:49 - Dec 20 In the case of our loaned Premiership contracted player. Earning way over 100k per month. And being asked to play 4 games in 12 days..... How the other half live. I notice when going to games, u23 players, not even making the 1st team match day squad. Driving brand new Mercs. Players not even 20yrs old. oh to be a footballer.
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Facefacts added 13:04 - Dec 20 Yes, as normal with TWTD, the story is picked up from a phrase, and taken out of context, but this is typical and symptomatic of how Lambert is handling all the questions being put to him. What else can TWTD do, as all questions lead to this defensive response, deflecting the question elsewhere, so as not to really have to answer it. The Christmas period is traditionally wall to wall football and that should not change. So he brings in examples from other countries where they don't have our excellent tradition. We didn't start the FA Cup 2nd round replay fast, and that is down to Lambert. Didn't fancy yet another game over the Christmas/New Year unless we'd got a big team at home. Coventry had done their homework, third successive game for each, we should have learned how to beat them, not vice versa. No, no, Paul was off fly up to Scotland. Another one: "I knew our good start would cause problems later". He is in trouble, his players are letting him down, and he doesn't know how to fix it. Every interview is the same now, and it's really poor from Lambert. Getting excuses in early. We should be bossing this league and looking forward to every game. But the players are letting him down, too. They're not getting him off the hook. It's always, "I played at the top level and did this and that". Showing he's not got the fight in his belly for the lower level we are now playing. He's not the manager for the situation we're in. I think he will get another season but he should really be gone by this Christmas. Where is the intensity? Far too laid back, "I've seen it all before and it won't be a problem". Hit a touchy subject, and he's off on one. Top 2, you're having a laugh. " I can't believe the negativity ". Supporters are watching the same game. And can see what's happening. Sort out the defending for Pompey away, please.

5

londontractorboy57 added 13:39 - Dec 20 Suffolkboy We are entitled to our opinions 1n 1981 Arnie Muhren played in 62 matches,To a much higher standard and less money than our pros of today.
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itfcjoe added 13:52 - Dec 20 Stop making excuses and get on with it, we have a massive squad compared to rivals. And no one cares that you played in Germany for a season, we are bored of it.
2

itfcjoe added 13:53 - Dec 20 Stop making excuses and get on with it, we have a massive squad compared to rivals. And no one cares that you played in Germany for a season, we are bored of it.
1

ITFC_95 added 14:04 - Dec 20 It is funny how the same fans that reference the Robson era when criticising the rotation policy are the same fans that say that we only didn't win the league that year because the same 11 played too many games...
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ArnieM added 14:05 - Dec 20 “ Too many matches over Christmas “, shouldn't really be a problem for our largely “rested”, and over rotated squad should it !!
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ArnieM added 14:09 - Dec 20 ITFC 95: there's s big difference between ONLY. Having a squad of day 11-14 players at your disposal, and having such a huge squad ( 25+ players), that you try and play them all to keep me sweet therefore achieving the opposite of what you'd like, ie (continuity , match fitness, inter-player understanding , oh, and injuries due to lack of match fitness)
3

BlueBadger added 14:47 - Dec 20 Isn't this what all the squad rotation is supposed to be preparing us for? Surely we should be raring to go?
3

Monkey_Blue added 15:48 - Dec 20 One solution could be to change the EFL into 4 leagues. 18 teams each so only 34 league games but owners would never vote for it
1

TimmyH added 16:02 - Dec 20 For Gods sake!!...Lambo has obviously (by selective memory) forgotten the weeks they haven't played this season, yes okay maybe a 'tight' schedule over the Xmas/New Year period but been times and through the rotation policy a number of players if not all haven't played for sometime...do I feel sorry for them? not in the slightest.
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heathen66 added 16:09 - Dec 20 I am sorry, but sometimes you football 'experts' need a reality check. Firstly you are allegedly in an entertainment business, and the 'shows' need to go on when the audience is available. Some of your players have only played 4-5 games in the last two months. These are fit athletes in their prime, conditioned by nutritionist and fitness coaches amongst others. Surely they can play 4 games in 2 weeks...if not then there is something seriously wrong in their preparation. Tennis Players are on courts playing high intensity 4-5 hour matches, one rest day then out again for 5 hours and then may even play the next day (in doubles). You have done a lot of good work at this club so far PL. Yes we are going through a blip (ironically since KVY got injured) but these excuses don't sit well with your everyday supporter. Also listen to what Nolan says, as it is easier to play the game passing to feet and moving as it is hoofing it long and chasing lost causes. Play your best XI. If one looks tired then give him a break...simple

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heathen66 added 16:11 - Dec 20 Also count yourself lucky as it was not that long ago when there were games on Christmas day !!!
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Marshalls_Mullet added 16:22 - Dec 20 Have a break in JANUARY, leave the holiday football as it is for the fans to enjoy! ....or dont fans matter?!
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cat added 16:24 - Dec 20 Not sure if Lambert attended the hospitals with the players, but if he did then maybe he should have bleated to the staff there about a busy Christmas, dope! Get some perspective Lambo or go somewhere where there's a winter break. Beggars believe!
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