Source: Daily_Mail
Sunderland boss Steve Bruce calls for winter break... after Barbados getaway!
Steve Bruce has backed Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson's call for a winter break which could help to revitalise the FA Cup.[LNB]Time out: Bruce, holidaying in Barbados, wants a winter break[LNB]And there's little wonder why. After crashing out of the competition in the third-round to League One Notts County, the Sunderland boss enjoyed a rare weekend off from the game... in Barbados! [LNB]Bruce, 50, made no secret of his dismay at a fixture schedule which saw his team play five games in the space of a fortnight around the turn of the year.[LNB]And he has joined his former manager in backing the kind of lay-off introduced in many European countries.[LNB]Ferguson has suggested adopting something similar to the German model, in which teams are given a break in January and then resume with their domestic cup competition.[LNB]Bruce won the FA Cup three times during his spell at United and retains a great affection for the competition and, amid suggestions that the format could be changed, he believes a possible revamp and winter break could be combined to mutual benefit.[LNB]'We have to try to arrest something,' he told Sunderland's official website.[LNB]'I have had the privilege of going all the way in the FA Cup, and getting to the latter stages is a fantastic thing for any club.[LNB]'My thoughts on it are that the competition needs a radical revamp.[LNB]'For example, the third round is usually the first Saturday after New Year when everyone is spent up from Christmas, and it becomes a problem for people after they have shelled out the money for their season tickets.[LNB] Surprise exit: Sunderland crashed out of the FA Cup to Notts County[LNB]'Maybe we could try to restructure things. I've seen Sir Alex's quotes on a mid-season break - if we're going to be successful as a nation, that has to come into play.[LNB]'We are the only nation who doesn't do it. Certainly that would mean a lesser summer, but [a mid-season break] would be common sense and I agree with Sir Alex.[LNB]'You could start off your fixtures again with two FA Cup ties when people haven't seen football for a while. We could kick off again with back-to-back FA Cup ties.'[LNB] Elmohamady aiming to secure Sunderland deal before the summerInjured Everton star Cahill a major doubt for Sunderland visit Villa ace Bent insists he won't buckle despite feeling pressure of ?24m dealAll the latest Sunderland news, features and opinion [LNB] Explore more:People: Alex Ferguson, Steve Bruce Places: Barbados
