Firstly i understand why England are playing today, they need a game to look at some players before naming the Provisional World Cup squad but there has to be a better way than keep disrupting the season at stupid times of the year, right near the end of the season or just after its started for example.

If someone critical to England doing well gets a bad injury in the game against Egypt and misses the world cup, Wayne Rooney for example then our chances of doing well in South Africa are diminished. It doesn't help club coaches either losing their players from time to time, some of which have to go trekking all over the world.

My suggestion is this:

Have 3 main international breaks a season 1 week just after the Champions league/FA cup has finished where international teams can play 2 games. One week a week before the season kicks off or if it has to be after the season starts the last week in August. Finally a whole two weeks in January where international teams can play four games, this should be timed to coincide with some of the African Nations cup and the winter breaks in other countries. Straight after the FA Cup third round weekend would be a good time.

This system would minimise disruption for all concerned it gives International coaches a good 2 weeks to work with players every year, it gives clubs clear structured weeks when they know players will be away, especially those with African Cup of Nations players as they lose even less than those without. Its gives non-international players the chance to go and do some warm weather training in January.

This system creates eight international dates a year which I believe should be enough. Any extra dates could be added to January and make it 3 weeks which would be 10 fixture dates a year. Sky wont like it as they don't have any premier league matches for 2/3 weeks at a time every year but I'm sure they could fill the time. Perhaps get coverage of a mini Dubai tournament for the non-international players or maybe a mini tournament of International teams who don't have qualifiers.

Jarv