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English Premier League managers and players are up in arms over the scheduling of the African Nations Cup, but surely they should be used to it and expect it by now, writes Melissa Reddy...

Every two years, around the festive period, moans and groans emanate out of Stamford Bridge, Fratton Park and Arsenal. It is this chorus of discontent that marks the nearing of Africa's continental competition, which will be played in Angola next month.

The African Nations Cup has become a bigger nuisance for Premier League bosses as more Didier Drogbas and Michael Essiens make the switch to England's top flight. The fact that the competition is held in January, for around three weeks, which symbolises an important phase in a club's title chase, or battle against the dreaded drop, is another cause for concern.

In 2008, amidst an outcry from the likes of Arsene Wenger, FIFA president Sepp Blatter announced that he wanted the tournament to be held in either June or July by 2016, to fit in with the international calendar.

While this may benefit European clubs and several of the continent's stars, many countries in central and west Africa will not get a chance to host the event as it will coincide with their rain-soaked season.

So far in this festive period, Wenger, Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti and Portsmouth manager Avram Grant have hit out at the timing of the competition.

But Manchester United defender, Gary Neville, who is not renowned for his intellect said it best: "Chelsea were aware when they signed those players that they might be called up every few years for the African Nations Cup, so they can't complain about it."

Tottenham mentor Harry Redknapp agreed: "When you sign them I guess you know you're going to lose them every couple of years, playing in those games. It's a chance you take."

The truth is that most of the players who head off for AFCON duty would prefer to steer their clubs to victory and would agree with moving the showpiece to the off-season.

But until that happens, surely the Premier League's top managers should unearth strategies to cope during the championships, rather than bitch about the massive effect it's going to have on their club's campaign.

When he was still at the Chelsea helm, Grant purchased Nicolas Anelka to soften the blow of Drogba's departure and the move worked wonders. Now at cash-strapped Portsmouth, he doesn't have the funds to pull off such a coup, but surely during his managerial career, he has learnt ways and means of reshuffling a squad to suit the tactics required? This is what that big cheque at the end of every month is for, isn't it?

"I don't know why FIFA allow this. I don't know why they have the African Cup of Nations in January," Grant said.

"We pay a lot of money, especially the big teams, to players who are not with you for two months. I think FIFA need to think about this."

In the meantime, Grant needs to think about ways to get his men off the foot of the table - a position they've unenviably held all season.

Players missing by club:

4: Portsmouth (Nadir Belhadj, Hassan Yebda, Nwankwo Kanu, Aruna Dindane)

4: Chelsea (Michael Essien, Didier Drogba, Salomon Kalou, John Mikel Obi)

3: Man City (Kolo Toure, Emmanuel Adebayor, Kelvin Etuhu)

3: Hull City (Kamel Ghilas, Daniel Cousin, Seyi Olofinjana)

2: Arsenal (Alex Song, Emmanuel Eboue)

2: Everton (Joseph Yobo, Ayegbeni Yakubu)

2: Fulham (John Pantsil, Dickson Etuhu)

1: Tottenham (Benoit Assou-Ekotto)

1: Aston Villa (Moustapha Salifou)

1: Sunderland (John Mensahtoke, Mamady Sidibe)

1: Bolton (Danny Shittu)

1: Burnley (Andre Bikey)

1: Wigan (Richard Kingson)

1: Wolves (George Elokobi)

0: Man Utd

0: Liverpool

0: West Ham

0: Birmingham

0: Blackburn

What others have said about AFCON:

KANU: "The timing of the Nations Cup is not players' business and I hope all of us respect that.

"We all need to play for our countries and defend the colours well. We can only hope that our clubs do well when we are away..."

WENGER: "I would rather plan without an African Nations Cup every two years," said Wenger.

"We plan to cover their absence with the players we have in the squad. Fortunately, this year we only have two who go to the tournament.

"Sometimes we have had worse periods than that but we still lose two quality players.

"On occasions, the players come back affected by a negative experience. Sometimes they come back very tired and that depends on the climate and the number of games they have played.

"The effects are not necessarily seen during the period that they are out there but it can have consequences on their form for the rest of their season."