The Easter weekend has traditionally been one of English football's busiest times. But international fixtures have meant that this year, clubs in the top two divisions can only twiddle their thumbs.
And even a former international manager like Glenn Hoddle recognises that it simply will not be the same.
"It's traditionally the focal point of any league season," said the Wolverhampton Wanderers manager. " Similar to the Christmas games.
"Especially at this time of the season, it always means a couple of games that are really important and it will be strange not to have that."
One possible answer to ensure that this season's clash never happens again would be if the Easter weekend were to be given a fixed date in the calendar like Christmas. And, despite being the devout man of God he is, the idea of telling the Church when to stage it is one that rather appeals to Hoddle.
"I've always scratched my head over the Easter thing," he said. "I've never been able to work it out. They seem to move it every year. Sometimes it's in April, sometimes it's in March. I thought he was crucified on one given day and that was it."
Sadly, for Hoddle, he will have to persuade powers a lot higher than the FA if he was to get his way.
As for the far-thornier issue of when managers get their players back after next week's international matches and in what condition, that is something about which Hoddle has strong views.
"We've got used to having a break at international week," he said. "So that's no problem.
" But I ' ve alwayswa ys believed that every team should play on the Sunday after the international break to give every team the chance of two days to prepare properly.
"You always find players mentally more fatigued than in any other game after an international week. And we'll have a decision to make with Ki-Hyeon Seol when he comes back from being with Korea. He's not due back until the Friday, when we will be travelling to Leeds for our game the following day."
Apart from Seol, Wolves also have Paul Jones and Rob Edwards away with Wales this week, while Kenny Miller has a chance of starting for Scotland against Italy in the San Siro and Seyi Olofinjana is due to play for Nigeria.
However, the most intriguing call-up must be Mark Clyde's inclusion in the Northern Ireland squad after several weeks out with knee trouble.
Clyde has not played for Wolves since the start of February but after featuring for the reserves on Monday night, Northern Ireland boss Lawrie Sanchez has included the 22-year-old in his squad to face England at Old Trafford on Saturday.
