Some Everton fans have been reacting on social media after Toffees icon Duncan Ferguson slammed the Football Association for introducing a winter break.
The English top-flight introduced a mid-season break in fixtures for the first time this season that sees each team given a weekend off in February, after Premier League sides agreed to its introduction back in June 2018.
Everton are one of eight teams to be playing on the first week of the break, with Carlo Ancelotti’s Blues hosting Crystal Palace in the early Saturday lunchtime kick-off.
The move to introduce a winter break was instigated by the FA in a bid to help England succeed at future World Cups and European Championships, as they long felt a mid-season break would help players regain fitness.
Should we have a winter break in the Premier League?
Yes
No
Ferguson, though, disagrees vigorously with the idea of halting the Premier League season as it means fans ultimately miss out.
“I don’t like it because the fans can’t go away,” Ferguson said to Football Daily.
“For me, I enjoy the football and have a great lifestyle, but the fans can’t go on holiday.
“The fans are missing out – so I don’t agree with it.”
Ancelotti has stated that he will be using the winter break to give his players four or five days off following the Palace match, but has demanded that the squad return to Finch Farm and not jet off on holiday.
Here are some of the messages shared as fans reacted to Ferguson’s comments…
Spot on
— Damian Braithwaite (@ScouseWarlord) February 6, 2020
I think he’s quite right aswell, less pre season friendlies and end of season friendlies, and utilise the squad more. Ain’t rocket science.
— dt (@RyderSezLesbos) February 6, 2020
Love him 💙
— Jayne C (@clissold_jayne) February 6, 2020
Legend !!!!
— ian lawton (@ianlawton7) February 6, 2020
Dunc is a “fans man” always has been
— Paul Reddish (@paulreddish) February 6, 2020
I love him!
— James (@blakeyefc) February 6, 2020
They’ve only done it for the other lot so that they can have a better chance of winning the league.
Why didn’t they do it for Man City or even Leicester when they won it?!?
— Joe Williams (@Joewillo180) February 6, 2020
In other Everton news, the club face paying £30m to sign a rumoured target in the summer after seeing offers rejected in January.