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Do not worry too much about Wembley pitch size next season...

Japhet

Well-Known Member
Aug 30, 2010
19,232
57,392
This is just another challenge. The last 2 seasons we've had our rivals spending massively on 'star' players. To me, that looked like quite a problem, but our young players were more than up to the challenge. I think we'll adapt quickly to Wembley and it will be our opponents who get cold feet. There's too much character in the team to be phased by any of it.
 

theShiznit

Well-Known Member
Jul 26, 2004
17,800
23,813
I assume we can dictate the amount of water that goes on it next season.
You would hope, as we certainly suit a slick pitch. They absolutely drench the lane pitch and the ball just skids on nicely, you watch cross field passes along the floor at Wembley really stick in the grass due to the slow running of the ball.

I remember Wimbledon used to let the grass grow when playing quick passing teams to try and slow them, but you'd think Wembley would be able to see past protecting the pitch (assuming denser/longer/less watered grass needs less care?) for entertainment's sake...
 

lillywhites61

SC Supporter
Aug 11, 2009
3,538
2,270
It's not the size of the pitch, it's the fact it's not home and is so soulless

This was exactly my view until the semi final, we were much better that match than before (granted the kick off time and beer helped) but we can actually make it loud and give it some atmosphere, its just bloody hard to do. People dont realise how shit Wembley is until they have been a few times. It is going to be down to us to get an atmosphere going.
 

Dinghy

Well-Known Member
Jun 22, 2005
6,326
15,561
You would hope, as we certainly suit a slick pitch. They absolutely drench the lane pitch and the ball just skids on nicely, you watch cross field passes along the floor at Wembley really stick in the grass due to the slow running of the ball.

I remember Wimbledon used to let the grass grow when playing quick passing teams to try and slow them, but you'd think Wembley would be able to see past protecting the pitch (assuming denser/longer/less watered grass needs less care?) for entertainment's sake...
I know for a fact that Barnet do this now.. Not just letting the grass grow, but having the grass a different length in different areas of the pitch eg would have it longer in the corners to hold up the ball over the top.
 

tiger666

Large Member
Jan 4, 2005
27,978
82,214
I know for a fact that Barnet do this now.. Not just letting the grass grow, but having the grass a different length in different areas of the pitch eg would have it longer in the corners to hold up the ball over the top.

That's not allowed in the premier league.
 

TottenhamMattSpur

Well-Known Member
Aug 31, 2012
10,925
16,007
It's not the pitch size that is the problem, it's the changed atmosphere - it's just not the same as WHL and it will affect the players.

To the person who disagreed, take a look at our CL campaign this year for proof. I don't think it will take a whole season like the other poster but it would not surprise me if we struggle for a while next season.

I think it would've been far better for our team if the club had scheduled pre-season with most of the games at Wembley instead of flying out to the US.

It's the quality of the opposition we typically play at Wembley that's the main problem.

The atmosphere at the CL games was flat but at the Semi Final, where only regular attendees (130+ loyalty points) could get a ticket, it was electric.
With 90k tickets every week it's going to be half populated with football tourists that aren't as vociferous. The stadium is fine.

It's not the pitch size that worries me. It's the 'occasion' offered visitors, many of whom may never get to play there. Witness Ghent
We dominated Ghent for 90 minutes, half of which were with 10 men.
To say 2-2 was unlucky was an understatement.
 

Geyzer Soze

Fearlessly the idiot faced the crowd
Aug 16, 2010
26,056
63,361
We dominated Ghent for 90 minutes, half of which were with 10 men.
To say 2-2 was unlucky was an understatement.
regardless of result, it seemed to me at the time that they seriously upped their game and rose to the occasion provided them. We can still draw or win v someone who ups their game, all it means is that it is (or can be) that little harder. Relativity.
 

TottenhamMattSpur

Well-Known Member
Aug 31, 2012
10,925
16,007
regardless of result, it seemed to me at the time that they seriously upped their game and rose to the occasion provided them. We can still draw or win v someone who ups their game, all it means is that it is (or can be) that little harder. Relativity.

We'd have won that comfortably had Dele not been Dele. And no one would be thinking they upped their game.

I doubt we'll go next season unbeaten, which some may think is a regression, however most teams, including most league champions don't go unbeaten at home.
It's not the end of the world, if we're 15% less effective at home but 50% m ore away we'll be laughing
 

JollyHappy

Well-Known Member
Oct 9, 2005
1,437
1,158
They are sitting season ticket holders with the other season ticket holders that were around them at WHL, and in a similar position at Wembley, so hopefully that will help recreate the atmosphere we've had this season, as opposed to people buying random seats for the European games.

So the boos at half time if we are losing, the abuse at certain players and the "Poch has no clue" will still be the same. Oh dear!
 

bomberH

Well-Known Member
Jun 4, 2005
28,455
168,222
We'll be fine. I expect us to start off a little slowly but I expect Kane to break his August hoodoo and by the end of the season we'll have won a lot more than we've either drawn or lost there. Then when we play cup finals there over the next few seasons, we'll win them all because Wembley will be our second home.

As many have said, the atmosphere will be the biggest problem because Wembley is shit but the seating arrangements are similar to WHL so hopefully it won't be too hard to recreate a decent atmosphere. The best atmosphere will be saved for the final day when 90k fans are singing along with 'we are the champions' after beating Arsenal to win the league whilst relegating them at the same time for good measure.
 

nicdic

Official SC Padre
Admin
May 8, 2005
41,857
25,919
It's not the pitch size that worries me. It's the 'occasion' offered visitors, many of whom may never get to play there. Witness Ghent
It'd be a decent point if you were referencing the away leg, but we were plenty good enough in the home leg, and if it weren't for Alli's red, we'd have won that game at a canter.
 

nicdic

Official SC Padre
Admin
May 8, 2005
41,857
25,919
I should have read the rest of the posts before repeating everyone else.
 

rocklink

Well-Known Member
Aug 23, 2013
1,613
2,558
So next season if we progress into the semi and final of both league cup and fa cup , we will play all those knockout games at wembley right ?
 
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