Depending on one’s perspective, this crazy period is either the most entertaining period of the calendar or the most challenging. I do love watching football over the holidays. There is a natural excitement knowing your favourite sport is going to be on continuously for a week. However, the increased intensity of football has made me appreciate the viewpoint on the continent that it can be overkill. Its probably why Italy and Spain have gone back to winter breaks after failed experiments with holiday football the past two years. Like every year I will be tuning into the mayhem with childlike excitement, but I will also empathize with the players who face the greatest risk of injury with 3 games in 6 days and the managers who will have to deal with the consequences.