I would say they've helped as it's inadvertantly meant key players have had time out of a grueling schedule to rest with it just happening to co-incide that the players seem to be coming back at key times, like that of Dempsey and Konchesky just in time for the Juve game and with Murphy and Pantsil and Greening all eligible again for the next round!
what has surprised me is the way the fringe players have stepped up, and as you say key players will now be a lot fresher. All win win.
