It’s Part Two of our Strain on the Game Christmas Special — and this one goes right into the chaos of the festive football calendar: AFCON, alcohol, and what Christmas is really like for players and staff.

First up, Stephen and Adrian break down AFCON’s ripple effect across the Premier League: who gets hit hardest, how clubs cope when key starters disappear for weeks, and why it can quietly tilt a title race (or a relegation fight). It’s not just “they’ll miss a few games” — it’s momentum, tactics, recruitment pressure, inflated January prices, and the added risk of players returning with knocks after long travel and different conditions.

Then it turns personal — the real-life sacrifices behind the Boxing Day tradition. From Christmas Day training schedules and early meetings, to trying to still be present for kids in the morning, the lads share what it feels like when the football calendar doesn’t pause… even when everyone else’s does.

And finally: alcohol — the enemy of performance, but also (sometimes) part of football culture. Adrian explains what drinking actually does to recovery: sleep quality, HRV, inflammation, hydration, and muscle repair — while Stephen shares stories from Christmas parties, fancy dress disguises, and why team bonding trips can genuinely change a season.