Winter breaks will pay biggest dividends the following summer

It was a bittersweet Christmas for me. Having not been selected in the squad for Brighton's game at Chelsea, I was afforded, for the first time in 16 years, the benefit of a Christmas Day off to spend with my wife and children at home without the worry of preparing for a game the next day or being away in a hotel in the evening stuck to my phone with them on FaceTime.

While it was amazing to be the recipient of a privilege that not only footballers but also nurses, paramedics, police officers and people with far more important jobs than me yearn for at this time, I couldn't help but miss the adrenaline high I've been conditioned to getting from the age of 16 in the build-up to a big Boxing Day match.

With a World Cup summer coming up, the discussion is already taking place about the fact England's top flight is the only major competition without a winter break and whether by the time the tournament begins its players will be too exhausted to perform at optimum level for their respective nations. Other countries have a rest period when players can recuperate from niggling injuries and mentally wind down in preparation for the crucial second half of a season.

I believe the Christmas period is something special – there is nothing better for fans over the festive season than taking children to games and soaking up the atmosphere, which helps make for fantastic matches up and down the leagues throughout the country. I couldn't imagine a Christmas in England without football.

At the same time, having spoken with numerous players who have worked abroad and were shocked about the amount of games over this period in Britain, every one of them said a winter break was key to performing at an optimum level in the second half of a season. They said that having two weeks off at the coldest time of year, when fatigue and danger of muscle injury is increased, allowed them to heal, refresh mentally and prepare for the remainder of a campaign and perhaps a summer tournament.

And while I support our traditional holiday fixtures, I'm also a fan of our national team and seeing the joy that a country can experience when its team achieves on the world stage is something I would love to witness next July. With the talent we possess in a free-scoring Harry Kane, an unplayable Raheem Sterling and a creative Dele Alli, we have to ensure we are giving them the best chance to make our nation proud at the World Cup in Russia.

To achieve that we have to introduce a winter break but not at the expense of the traditions that make our league unique. I see no problem in having a break in the first two weeks of the new year, enabling players to prepare for the long, arduous period to come.

Trust me, I've heard the arguments of former players who make the point they "played 60 games a season" and never complained. But the truth is, even from when I started playing Premier League football 12 years ago, the athleticism, intensity and physical attributes needed to compete at the top level is increasing and will only get more demanding.

The standards expected from players – despite the benefit of increased understanding and use of sports science, nutrition and technology – are becoming harder and harder to maintain. For the benefit of the national team, now is the time to make a decision to help them as much as possible.

I am the first person to accept how blessed I am to be a professional footballer, and making the sacrifices to play over the Christmas period and be away from family is a small price to play for the privilege of doing a job I love. But, in order to give top players the best chance of success, a winter break is something we should all be in favour of though not at the expense of a unique Christmas tradition.

Mike James Scores Career-High Against Timberwolves

 

For the second straight game, the Suns hit the court with a new starting lineup. Josh Jackson replaced Devin Booker (injured) at shooting guard as Head Coach Jay Triano said he wanted a defensive lineup against the Timberwolves on Sunday.

"He's one of our best playmakers for other people," Triano said about missing Booker. "He's one of our best scorers so it's a big chunk offensively."

The Suns went into the game without their leader in scoring and assists as the team needed an offensive outburst from someone else. Mike James rose to the occasion as he stepped off the bench and had himself one of the best games of his career.

"The coaches told me to be more aggressive tonight, look to score a little bit more," James said. "I just tried to do that."

The rookie scored a career-high 26 points to go along with his seven assists and five rebounds. Triano had one word to describe the way James played on Sunday.

"Attack," Triano said. "It helps when we have shooters on the floor so there's space for him to attack. He was aggressive going to the basket."

Although the Suns fell to the Timberwolves 119-108, there were still positives in the way the Suns played without their star player.

"We shot 50 percent," Triano said. "I thought our movement was pretty good. We shared the basketball. I'm not disappointed with how we played on the offensive end."

The Suns will continue the road trip as they travel to Chicago to face the Bulls on Tuesday. Catch the action on Fox Sports Arizona.

Pep Guardiola blames Carabao Cup ball for City's struggle against Wolves

Pep Guardiola branded the ball used in Manchester City's 4-1 penalty shootout win over Wolverhampton Wanderers as “unacceptable for a high-level competition” after his side survived a scare to progress to the Carabao Cup quarter-finals after extra time.
Claudio Bravo's two penalty saves help Manchester City past Wolves
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Claudio Bravo saved two Wolves penalties before Sergio Agüero scored the decisive spot-kick and while Guardiola was pleased with the victory, he expressed displeasure at the Mitre ball which is usually used in Football League matches. “It is not acceptable, the ball was unacceptable for a high-level competition,” Guardiola said. “It is too light, it moves all over the place, it is not a good ball. It is impossible to score with a ball like that and I can say that because we won, I'm not making excuses. All of my players said: ‘What is that?' I'm sorry Carabao Cup is not a serious ball for a serious competition. It's [for] marketing, money, OK but it's not acceptable – [it has] no weight, nothing.”

Asked if his players had had time to practise with the ball that was introduced at the start of the season for all EFL competitions but not the Premier League, the 46-year-old was dismissive. “One day or two days, but the ball is bad for one year or two years, it's not acceptable. All the players complain,” he added.

Of Bravo, who also made four crucial saves during the match, Guardiola said: “Claudio gave us the chance to go through, I'm so happy for him, the way he's trained, a good performance and good penalties. I'm happy to win in this way.”

Bravo was signed in the summer of 2016 as Joe Hart's replacement but lost his starting berth due to a series of high-profile mistakes. Guardiola accepted it has not been easy for the player. “Yes, of course,” he said. “It was not easy last season for him but he's a keeper at a high level – you can't be [the] Barcelona and Chile [goalkeeper] without being a high level. He deserved the performance. Without him we would not be in the next round.”

The manager added: “It's not easy for him, like with Yaya [Touré, who also had a rare start], he wanted to touch the ball but it's difficult because the space was tight. For Claudio he's here to play but he's a good professional and he has to be ready – you never know what happens in football. But it's not easy to come in for games like this.”

Of the win, Guardiola said: “Maybe now people will understand why things are difficult in football – it's so complicated in this competition. From tomorrow we have to focus again for the Premier League. In the first half we deserved to score one or two goals – we had chances in the first half but in the second half there were some counterattacks, they were so fast.”

Modern Bridalwear – Introducing White One Collection By Missy Dress

Missy Dress has been designing and making gorgeous wedding dresses since 1964 and, with more than five decades of dressing brides, they most certainly understand what it takes to create beautiful gowns. The company is actually named after the famous Gothic cathedral on New York's famed Fifth Avenue, so style and matrimony definitely go hand in hand at Missy Dress.

The White One Collection has been designed by Herve Moreau, the genius creative director of the Pronovias Fashion Group. It's perfect if you're looking for a fresh, modern, versatile gown to wear on your big day and each dress is brilliantly individual. Created mainly from dreamy georgette and tulle, this collection features ethereal gowns and full skirts for a truly bridal feel.

Missy Dress is well known for the design details that bring such beauty to each dress and the White One Collection continues this tradition. I love the tattoo effect that's achieved on some of the sleeves and bodices. This stunning look is achieved thanks to fine crystal tulle embroideries and it's certainly a signature look in this collection.

Missy Dress has also included so many more fantastic details in the collection, it's actually tough to know what to mention first. Famosa is one of my favourites because I LOVE a backless gown! It's an exquisite design in tulle and lace and it's one for the modern romantics amongst you, combining such a delightful design with a super feminine, figure-hugging mermaid shape.

Felicidad is all about the tulle and yet it's still so modern. The voluminous skirt is teamed with an illusion bodice that's embellished with Chantilly appliques, embroidery and beading. If you love this spectacular ballgown style then you also much take a look at Florida. Again, the combination of bodice and skirt is just incredible. The traditional sweetheart neckline and beaded waistband give way to an eye-catching skirt where asymmetrical layers of luscious tulle form the most gorgeous flounces you ever did see. There's also an open back in draped tulle on this gown so it really is full of surprises.

For clean, sophisticated style, look no further than Fiana. The elegant bateau neckline, the flattering cap sleeves and the spectacular silhouette of this dress just make me smile. From the reverse, you'll see another open back design, this one featuring cutout embroidery. I love the contradictions and unexpected details in all of the White One Collection dresses.

Finally, I just have to mention, Flavia because my love for wedding dresses with pockets simply knows no bounds! However, when you combine pockets with a full skirt in heavy Mikado, a tulle and lace bodice and a lace back, I'm pretty much in heaven.

And that's what makes this collection so very special. It's just heavenly. The combinations of fabrics work fabulously, the designs that mix traditional details with on trend flourishes are perfect and there's a real sense of elegance with modern appeal. White One 2018 is just exceptional.

Focusing on football a challenge for displaced Texans

FRISCO, Texans -- On Monday morning at the Dallas Cowboys' training facility, the Houston Texans had their first practice since they were unable to fly back home after the team's preseason game in New Orleans.

And while coach Bill O'Brien said the Texans had a good practice, several players noted the challenge of focusing on the field while so much is going on back in Houston.

“We have a job to do and I think that's got to be the way you go about your business and handle it,” veteran cornerback Johnathan Joseph said. “But it's hard at the same time to kind of sit there and play football and then think about your family that's back home when there's updates going on around the clock about things that are going on back in your hometown.”

The Texans and Cowboys were scheduled to play on Thursday in Houston, but the game is expected to be shifted to AT&T Stadium due to the flooding. Joseph said even when it's tough, playing in the NFL is still a job, and the players have responsibility to do that job.

“We're professionals, and if that's what it calls for, we've got to get up and still do our job and go out there and play to the best of our abilities," Joseph said. "At the end of the day, we're in the National Football League and they pay us to do a job. And if they call for a game to be on, everyone has to put forth their best effort, and once the game is over, have to go back and take care of our business with the things that are going on off the field."

Long-snapper Jon Weeks, who has his wife, Amanda, and eight-week-old daughter, Parker, at home, said the ability to take his mind off anything happening off the field when he has to is something he learned as a young athlete.

“It's definitely tough. But I think that's something that as little kids we're taught," Weeks said. "When you come to this game, you always leave the personal stuff -- and back then it's grades and school and that kind of stuff -- you leave that off the field when you come to the football field and you concentrate on what your job is. And I think we've all been able to do that.

"Again, granted, they're not far from our thoughts. We're thinking of Houston, we're praying for Houston. We're praying for everybody. We're praying and hoping everybody's safe. But when it's time to come here and work, we're all professionals. We come in here and work, and as soon as it's done, we go back and we start doing whatever we can to help the city."

And while "nothing is more important than family," O'Brien said, "at the end of the day, football goes on."

"Thirty-one other teams are working to get to the same goal we're working to get to," O'Brien said. "We're trying to concentrate on football. We're preparing for the Dallas game. We're preparing for football. But we're making sure that our players have time to be in contact with their families."