Will Tottenhams Move To Wembley Become A Nightmare?
Spurs Moving To Wembley
Moving to Wembley for a season sounds fine. Bigger stadium, more fans, better support, better results, right? Not exactly. To dig deeper into why it's not a good thing we have to visit their rival, The Gunners.
Look At Arsenal
In 1998-2000 Arsenal used Wembley for the Champions League matches, and as Wenger put it, it was a "nightmare". In all the years Arsenal managed to qualify for the Champions, these years were the only ones where they didn't proceed to the 1/16 finals. Just as Tottenham is today, Arsenal was then used to tight pitch, and that's not the case with Wembley. Wembley measures at 105 by 69 metres, which is a lot bigger compared to White Hart Lanes 100 x 67 metres. In total it adds up to about 500 square metres in difference.
Another Nightmare?
Other than the pitch being bigger it's not preferable for Pochettinos style of playing and pressure. Pochettino is used to a small pitch where his high pressure makes wonders, but on a larger pitch, the players have to cover more space when pressuring the opponent. To cover 500 square metres more than you are used to, might take a lot of time to adjust to.
If we take a closer look at Tottenhams current record at Wembley, it dosen't look promising. Tottenham have played 10 matches at Wembley since 2007 when it reopened. A win against Chelsea in 2008, and a win against CSKA Moscow in 2016 is the only positive results. A draw against Gent, and seven defeats, with the latest being against Chelsea in FA Cup last year. Two wins out of 10 matches is horrible. That leads us to the question. How many of the 18 games at "home" will Tottenham win this season?
I think it will have a massive effect on Spurs both on and off the pitch. Just like when Arsenal were building the Emirates there was a period of frugality. Our spending was restricted and we were forced to sell our best players to 'fund' the stadium. Tottenham have not strengthened a squad that is 1 or 2 players away from winning the title and their players said to be complaining about comparatively low wages. The similarities to Arsenal a few years back is stark and I for one cant see Spurs finishing in the top 4.
Yes, I totally agree. It's gonna be interesting to see how they will do when they play Chelsea. I don't think they will be in top 4 either. But let's see.
Amazing effort.
Spurs impressed me so much last season, that I really think they can get past the problems you mentioned the new stadium will bring (and I think they will really be problems that will actually affect the team). I guess today's game with Chelsea will show us a part of what we can expect (although Chelsea without so many important players does not seem as strong as last year).
Another good test will be in UCL.
I think it'll go ok. They're a young side; they should be able to cover the ground, adapt the pressing game to something more expansive. I think there will be lots of goals though, potentially at both ends!
Wait and see ;)
thanks arsenal49!
Very useful information for betting purpose
No problem!
Nice comparison with the difference in square meters, cause if you just see the sizes (105 x 69 vs. 100 x 67), you might underestimate the difference
Yes. I think it will be a huge difference.
I love articles about football, let's more!
Even with the modern era football still believe in 'jinx'
But for all its worth, i like it when spuds is losing. Even now, on paper lol
@arsenal49 Hi, do you not mind co-operating?
Hi, as a sign of my support for the tag #sports and #football, I vote for you and begin to follow you.
Hope spurs will cancel that curse. Case I have them in my fantasy team)))