AS football fans roll into work this morning there will be mixed emotions. Some will retain a degree of optimism about the campaign ahead, while there will be those facing up to a season of struggle following their club's weekend reversal.

But rest easy and don't stress. Whether you are waking up with a hangover from celebrating your team's opening day win, or suffering from depression after a defeat, take some time out. It's time for a meaningless international friendly.

No sooner had the final whistle blown at Wigan's JJB Stadium last night when all the focus on the first weekend of Premiership football turned to Sven-Goran Eriksson's little get-together.

All the euphoria and the razzmatazz that goes hand in hand with the opening day suddenly stops, as the build-up to a friendly, on this occasion with Denmark, takes centre stage.

After Middlesbrough, Newcastle and Sunderland all paraded new signings over the weekend, though, does anyone really care who Eriksson names in his latest team - after all they are likely to be substituted at some stage anyway.

Had Wednesday seen the Welsh or the Irish provide the opposition for a World Cup qualifier things would no doubt be a little different. But they don't.

Instead the Danes - who are a sterner test than the other two - will be coming over for a game that is apparently going to help Eriksson's preparations for the vital qualifiers next month.

But surely there could have been better timing. Whether players named in the Swede's squad won, lost or drew at club level ideally preparations should be being made for the next domestic game.

Instead those named in Eriksson's squad on Saturday night - or any international squad involved in matches on Wednesday - will be on England duty for the early part of this week. Won't Messrs Wenger, Ferguson and Mourinho be pleased.

You can only imagine what would go through Graeme Souness' mind if Jermaine Jenas returned to training on Thursday and had to be added to the injury list.

And for that reason it would come as no surprise to hear top names withdraw from Eriksson's squad over the next few days, before making a remarkable reappearance in time to play for their clubs.

The situation begs the question why the Football Association couldn't come up with a more suitable time for Eriksson to further his World Cup plans.

There is a case for there never being a suitable time for a friendly in club boss' eyes. Two weeks ago? Three weeks ago? No. Pre-season would have been in full swing and a key time for players to get to know new signings.

But why does this friendly need to be played now? It wasn't too long ago when Eriksson took his squad, albeit a second-rate one, to the United States for a marketing ploy.

The fact that a number of top names didn't make the trip should have no bearing on the need for another international friendly just days after the first weekend of Premiership action.

It is not the first time such a fixture has been a thrown up at such a stupid time but it should be the last.

Those who think taking away an August friendly will affect England's World Cup chances are hugely mistaken. August is a time for fans to become excited by club football rather than being bored to tears with yet another turgid, substitute-glittered friendly.