Sky Sports pundit: This will be Tottenham’s biggest hindrance in the 2017-18 campaign
By Harvey Byrne
Sky Sports pundit Danny Higginbotham believes the Wembley pitch will cause Tottenham the most problems in the next campaign.
The north London club are currently preparing to move into the iconic national stadium as they look to move out of White Hart Lane into a new 61,000-seat ground which is still under construction next door.
Tottenham have had a troublesome time at Wembley this season with two defeats and a win in the Champions League which saw them knocked out at the group stage alongside a 2-2 draw with Gent in the Europa League, eliminating them at the round of 32 after a 3-2 aggregate defeat.
Many believe it will now cause Spurs problems in the 2017-18 campaign and while some feel it won’t be like a home ground to them, Higginbotham believes it is the large pitch which will prove the most troublesome.
“Hindrance,” said Higginbotham firmly when asked on Sky Sports News’ Friday morning Premier League Daily Show if Wembley would be a ‘help or hindrance.’
“Everybody’s going on about playing at Wembley, it’s a different stadium, it’s not going to feel like their home ground. Yes, that’s one thing. But, for me it’s the size of the pitch. That is one of the biggest things and it’s going to be one of the biggest hindrances to Tottenham.
“You look at Tottenham’s pitch now where they’re playing. It’s one of the smaller ones in the Premier League.
“You look at their away form compared to the other teams in the top six and it’s not near the top, so for me it’s going to be the size of the pitch. We all know that Tottenham are a pressing team, they like to get out, they like to press the opposition when they lose it.
“At Wembley where it’s a bigger pitch, it’s more difficult to do that. So, that for me is going to be the biggest problem. Not the fact they’re playing in a great stadium like Wembley, in front of all these supporters and things like that. It’s second nature to most of them players, if not all of them, so for me it’s the pitch size which is going to be one of the biggest hindrances for them.”
Tottenham are scheduled to play another game at Wembley in April as they make the short trip to face rivals Chelsea at the FA Cup semi-final stage.
They will be hoping to win against Antonio Conte’s men and earn another visit to the famous stadium for the final of a trophy they have not lifted since 1991.
But, in the meantime Mauricio Pochettino will be getting his team focused on finishing within the top four of the Premier League while keeping the ground with Conte’s team at the top.
In other Tottenham news, Chris Sutton has hailed this Spurs ace as sensational against Germany.
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