Photo: Manchester City-England's Adam Johnson (Dracula :), one of my favourite players.
England's manager Capello last year said something like this: England always fails because they don't have a winter break. It can't be the managers fault, you changed so many. In Italy our football has always had at least 15 days of Christmas holidays (while in England they play every 2 or 3 days, Boxing Day 26 December included), this year could be even about 20 days here. It doesn't seem but it's very important, and in England it's even colder than in Italy. See the really cold countries as Russia, where they even have a totally different calendar. In recent times AC Milan even goes to Dubai for a few days.
But you know: nobody wants to be told what to do. Even less a country with a foreign manager...
Young people don't want to be told 'cause they're rebels, nor adult people, 'cause they feel they've grown enough to decide everything.
Roberto Mancini believes England's national team suffers because of the punishing fixture schedule for its top stars.
The Manchester City boss was fuming at having had to play Arsenal (we won 0-1) just 48 hours after their hard-fought 1-1 draw at Liverpool.
For the Carling Cup quarter-final at the Emirates he even mulled over fielding a team of kids to show how angry he is at the fixture pile-up.
The Italian has no doubts the Three Lions' dismal showings at major tournaments are down to their hectic domestic programme.
He said: "On Monday we go to London and we'll change all the team because this is an incredible situation.
"Arsenal played on Saturday, we play Sunday evening. On Monday we travel to London and play Tuesday night. Incredible. This is the reason why the national team arrive for European Championship finals and World Cups and they are dying.
"The players don't have time to recover. To play again in two days like this, so soon after the Champions League is incredible.
"I don't know who to blame. The Premier League should have said something about this. It's important to play but it's also important to recover. You need three days between one game and another."
Kop boss Kenny Dalglish has also grumbled about the planning and had even urged fans to think carefully before travelling to their match at Chelsea.
Mancini has a better squad at his disposal than any other top-flight manager but said: "I agree with Kenny, it's incredible.
"It's a quarter-final. We should play with 11 young players. Maybe 14 or 15 years old.
"To make a statement? Yes, because it's not correct. Not so much for us but for the players. It's not right. We'll have the same at the start of January when we play Sunderland then Liverpool in two days.
"Liverpool play three days before us. Is this correct? I don't think so."
today fuSSball: Manchester City-Norwich City. Where are you! let's be having you! muashuhaushuaha
Delia Smith drunk, halftime of Norwich City-Manchester City 2-3 (2005)
