Sunderland manager David Moyes has banned his Black Cats from their traditional Christmas night out, instead preferring them to indulge in time with their wives and girlfriends, as reported by theDaily Mail.
The club currently prop up the Premier League table and have been hit by a multitude of injuries recently, which may well affect their recent good form, having won three of the last four fixtures.
Amongst their hectic Christmas schedule,the Mackems face Man Utd on Boxing Day at Old Trafford.
Moyes is acutely aware that pictures of his team running around town may have an adverse affect on the club's supporters and has accordingly scraped the Christmas festivities, although the report does state that the Scot has suggested a night out with their respective partners, so long as it is a low-key affair.
The former Everton and Manchester United bosssaid: "We're back on the bottom but we've been there for most of it so it's not something new to us.
"But we aren't back at square one, because we've got ourselves back in with a fighting chance and a few weeks ago (after two points from 10 games) we didn't have that. So we will brush ourselves down and get on with what's next, which is a busy week."
The 53-year-old is also looking ahead to the impending January transfer window, and will be expecting bids for Ivorian Lamine Kone, a player who attempted to force through a move to Everton during the last window. Kone's representatives are reportedly keen for him to move on, with West Ham United apparently preparing a £18m offer.