Opinion: A Good Time For A Break

A few seasons ago, mainly under the Clark era, I used to love the international breaks. It meant that Birmingham City didn’t drop any points and that I wouldn’t have to sit through a 90 minute match wondering how many goals the other team were going to score. But it’s not always been like that especially looking back at the successes of the club in recent years and thus we have come out the other side looking forward to Saturdays again thanks to the main guy, Rowett.

Now, I am sure we all have our normal Saturday routines. The same breakfast, the lucky scarf hung around the wardrobe door and of course, the weekly bets placed. But come the international break, it seems like there is something missing. There is often a sense of sadness that a none football fan can never appreciate. But we all proceed to watch the international football despite it being a bit bland because that’s what us football fans do.

However, this week I think that the international break with be a positive for the team. The fixture list before the international break was quite full on with the mid-week game against Preston as well as tough games against QPR and Blackburn; tough for very different reasons. After the break come Forest who are in form and looking to shoot up the league table as well as Rowett’s homecoming at Burton and as we all know, the second city derby. Therefore, this period of focusing on simple rehabilitation and a rest for most players as well as a bit of light hearted but competitive games for others. This gives a chance to refocus and really concentrate on the upcoming fixtures.

I often write that I don’t like the international break due to the fact that Birmingham City could lose momentum after a good run of form. But at this stage of the season, with the points under our belt so far, it just enables us to have a bit of reflection before the tough games especially over the Christmas period which will be upon us before we know it. It can sometimes be mentally draining for players; the constant push in training to maintain and achieve the expectations of the board and fans so this week of focusing on their own fitness and game may come as a welcomed breather mentally as well as physically.

Also, the atmosphere is different. I liken it to being away on holiday. It’s great at first but then you start to miss home comforts so when you do get home, it seems even better than when you left. It will be the same slotting back into club football and so I am welcoming this break and I think we can really kick on in terms of picking up points this month.