Sept International Break

[tidus_mi2]

Bristol Rovers game confirmed postponed.

So now another bloody midweek game.

But against a team beginning with B.

[WestYorksRoyal]

Makes obvious sense to push for it if possible. Newly assembled squad, new manager still. Allows for a break followed by mini pre season.

[Clyde1998]

Bristol Rovers game confirmed postponed.

So now another bloody midweek game.

I believe the 2nd December would be a free Saturday, should neither side progress in the FA Cup. From the third round onwards, we’re scheduled to have league matches.

I notice Oxford (H) in October is scheduled for the October international break (as is the Swindon EFL Trophy match, although that won’t be moved); Derby (H) in November is too (along with the Arsenal U21 EFL Trophy match, which again won’t change). Bristol Rovers (A) is set for the March international break.

Expect further changes throughout the season.

[Stranded]

Bristol Rovers game confirmed postponed.

So now another bloody midweek game.

I believe the 2nd December would be a free Saturday, should neither side progress in the FA Cup. From the third round onwards, we’re scheduled to have league matches.

I notice Oxford (H) in October is scheduled for the October international break (as is the Swindon EFL Trophy match, although that won’t be moved); Derby (H) in November is too (along with the Arsenal U21 EFL Trophy match, which again won’t change). Bristol Rovers (A) is set for the March international break.

Expect further changes throughout the season.

The Derby game will definitely go, as both clubs have postponed, don't see anyway that one of the 2 of us don't request a shift. Oxford are currently due to play on the 9th, but imagine that will go to. So at least 3 games to fit in now in midweek.

Wouldn't surprise me if the Rovers game goes to the 26th September, if we lose to Ipswich - else god knows as with existing fixtures and international breaks, the next free midweek would be 31st October (which could also be a LC game) - and we'll then have the Oxford game to rearrange.

[Sutekh]

Of course it the various FAs, FIFA and UEFA weren't so obsessed with cash we could dump international breaks completely but no let's press on with clogging up the domestic fixture list as much as possible and then blame the domestic league and cup competitions for there being too many games.

[SCIAG]

Of course it the various FAs, FIFA and UEFA weren't so obsessed with cash we could dump international breaks completely but no let's press on with clogging up the domestic fixture list as much as possible and then blame the domestic league and cup competitions for there being too many games.

If you don't like international football then OK, but actually a lot of people do. If you want the World Cup and continental competitions to exist without just being a closed shop, then you need to have qualifiers, which will mean breaks during the season.

There are far more domestic fixtures than international ones, so it doesn't make sense to blame FIFA for fixture congestion. It is pretty dumb that we have 24 teams in League One, plus three cup competitions.

[Esteban]

Of course it the various FAs, FIFA and UEFA weren't so obsessed with cash we could dump international breaks completely but no let's press on with clogging up the domestic fixture list as much as possible and then blame the domestic league and cup competitions for there being too many games.

If you don't like international football then OK, but actually a lot of people do. If you want the World Cup and continental competitions to exist without just being a closed shop, then you need to have qualifiers, which will mean breaks during the season.

There are far more domestic fixtures than international ones, so it doesn't make sense to blame FIFA for fixture congestion. It is pretty dumb that we have 24 teams in League One, plus three cup competitions.

Watching England is my only chance to support a team with world class players, I would hate to lose that opportunity!

[Sutekh]

Of course it the various FAs, FIFA and UEFA weren't so obsessed with cash we could dump international breaks completely but no let's press on with clogging up the domestic fixture list as much as possible and then blame the domestic league and cup competitions for there being too many games.

If you don't like international football then OK, but actually a lot of people do. If you want the World Cup and continental competitions to exist without just being a closed shop, then you need to have qualifiers, which will mean breaks during the season.

There are far more domestic fixtures than international ones, so it doesn't make sense to blame FIFA for fixture congestion. It is pretty dumb that we have 24 teams in League One, plus three cup competitions.

Not saying there aren't too many domestic games but forcing domestic teams to lose 4/5 weekends a season is stupid when you can have European international qualification set up, just as it as it always was, with midweek games alone, all UEFA/FIFA need to do is set up the qualifiers into, say, 15 groups of 4 teams.

[SCIAG]

Of course it the various FAs, FIFA and UEFA weren't so obsessed with cash we could dump international breaks completely but no let's press on with clogging up the domestic fixture list as much as possible and then blame the domestic league and cup competitions for there being too many games.

If you don't like international football then OK, but actually a lot of people do. If you want the World Cup and continental competitions to exist without just being a closed shop, then you need to have qualifiers, which will mean breaks during the season.

There are far more domestic fixtures than international ones, so it doesn't make sense to blame FIFA for fixture congestion. It is pretty dumb that we have 24 teams in League One, plus three cup competitions.

Not saying there aren't too many domestic games but forcing domestic teams to lose 4/5 weekends a season is stupid when you can have European international qualification set up, just as it as it always was, with midweek games alone, all UEFA/FIFA need to do is set up the qualifiers into, say, 15 groups of 4 teams.

Ah, OK, that’s more reasonable.

I’m not sure it would solve the issue - players are still going to need to travel and train with their national teams. And there aren’t exactly a lot of gaps in domestic calendars as it is. Probably fine for top-flight teams with no European competition but less so for sides like us who have midweek games most weeks. (And even if UEFA moved to that sort of system, it might not suit CONCACAF/AFC/CAF).

Time was when a Division Three club just had to hope they didn’t have anyone with a Welsh, Scottish, or Irish grandparent. These days, on one hand even home-grown players have more varied heritage, and it’s also easier for us to attract overseas players like Bindon. It’s going to cause more disruption than it used to.

[Clyde1998]

Of course it the various FAs, FIFA and UEFA weren't so obsessed with cash we could dump international breaks completely but no let's press on with clogging up the domestic fixture list as much as possible and then blame the domestic league and cup competitions for there being too many games.

If you don't like international football then OK, but actually a lot of people do. If you want the World Cup and continental competitions to exist without just being a closed shop, then you need to have qualifiers, which will mean breaks during the season.

There are far more domestic fixtures than international ones, so it doesn't make sense to blame FIFA for fixture congestion. It is pretty dumb that we have 24 teams in League One, plus three cup competitions.

Not saying there aren't too many domestic games but forcing domestic teams to lose 4/5 weekends a season is stupid when you can have European international qualification set up, just as it as it always was, with midweek games alone, all UEFA/FIFA need to do is set up the qualifiers into, say, 15 groups of 4 teams.

The longer international breaks are a natural symptom of globalised leagues. It roughly takes a 24 hours for a player to get from London to Syndey; London to Rio is about 12 hours; London to Mexico City is about 13 hours. If the player has a game on the Saturday with the club, the Tuesday with the national team and the following Saturday with the club, they're realistically going not be in the correct condition to play at least one of those matches (especially if you then say that's happening once every three or four weeks to fit all the fixtures in).

Having international games during midweek during the season worked logistically when national teams were almost entirely comprised of players from their own domestic league system.

[scumbag]

It'll be absolutely gutting if they move that Oxford home match.

[Hendo]

It'll be absolutely gutting if they move that Oxford home match.

Curious to know why? Local derby under the lights, think this is a better option, tbh.

Unless it means you wouldn't be able to attend, then yeah I can see why it would be a pain.

[tidus_mi2]

It'll be absolutely gutting if they move that Oxford home match.

Curious to know why? Local derby under the lights, think this is a better option, tbh.

Unless it means you wouldn't be able to attend, then yeah I can see why it would be a pain.

It will still be good on a midweek but the attendance will undoubtedly be better on a Saturday 3pm. That said, being a local rivalry, it must have a higher chance of being picked for TV as well, although that said, your average football fan probably doesn't even realise it is a rivalry.

[Hendo]

It'll be absolutely gutting if they move that Oxford home match.

Curious to know why? Local derby under the lights, think this is a better option, tbh.

Unless it means you wouldn't be able to attend, then yeah I can see why it would be a pain.

It will still be good on a midweek but the attendance will undoubtedly be better on a Saturday 3pm. That said, being a local rivalry, it must have a higher chance of being picked for TV as well, although that said, your average football fan probably doesn't even realise it is a rivalry.

Traditionally, possibly.

I guess it all depends on when it gets pushed to and the form of the two teams. Let's say it gets pushed back to November, both teams in good form, in the play-offs and pushing up the table - you might be looking at a similar attendance to a Saturday 3pm game but with a better atmosphere.

Thinking back to Palace in 05/06 season, not many games have had a better atmosphere than that, outside of the Premier League/Play-Off Games, etc..

[Sutekh]

It'll be absolutely gutting if they move that Oxford home match.

Curious to know why? Local derby under the lights, think this is a better option, tbh.

Unless it means you wouldn't be able to attend, then yeah I can see why it would be a pain.

It will still be good on a midweek but the attendance will undoubtedly be better on a Saturday 3pm. That said, being a local rivalry, it must have a higher chance of being picked for TV as well, although that said, your average football fan probably doesn't even realise it is a rivalry.

Best ever home game with the lot from that place which we don't like to mention was the 4-3 win back in 2000 which ended in torrential rain. Some real comedy defending in that and Tony Rougier won the day from the subs bench.

[Pepe the Horseman]

I'm still hoping for a rearranged fixture on October 31st, so the more postponements the better.

Brizzle moved to the 1st Nov! Whoop.

Then moved again to the 8th Nov. Ffs.

Apparently there is a significant event happening in the Thames Valley on Nov 1st.

[morganb]

I'm still hoping for a rearranged fixture on October 31st, so the more postponements the better.

Brizzle moved to the 1st Nov! Whoop.

Then moved again to the 8th Nov. Ffs.

Apparently there is a significant event happening in the Thames Valley on Nov 1st.

Round and round and round it goes, where it stops nobody knows...

We can confirm that our home fixture against Bristol Rovers has been rearranged for a second time, and will now take place on Tuesday 7 November 2023 (8pm) at the Select Car Leasing Stadium.

https://www.readingfc.co.uk/news/2023/s ... -nov-2023/