What's new

Pre-Season Tournaments.....

Krule

Carpe Diem
Jun 4, 2017
4,534
8,686
I really do fully appreciate the enormous marketing demands a premiership club has to satisfy regarding overseas supporters but I do sometimes question these overseas 'friendly' tournaments they enter. To travel all the way to the USA and play Manchester City seems slightly 'off the wall' and serves no purpose whatsoever other than to possibly give the winning team some sort of psychological edge before the season starts. The managers are obviously unable to directly involve themselves in proposed transfer deals whilst abroad and presumably rely on mobile phones and text messages to be kept up to date with developments....hardly ideal.
Would it not be better if we took a week off somewhere and played some local teams as a marketing ploy instead....? not as physically demanding, a chance to relax and 'showboat' a little and still fly the Spurs flag. In a sense a light training session followed by some friendly banter ?

I realise we would probably lose a lot of money with TV broadcasting rights but if it gave us 1) An opportunity to perhaps sign players earlier on in the window. 2) Give them a gentler introduction to the club and squad. 3) Allow them to integrate in a more relaxed match atmosphere and 4) Remove us from any sort of pre-season mind games by not playing fellow title contenders.

Do we really need the 'hassle' of travelling thousands and thousands of miles to play teams that are normally just a couple of hours drive away .... and other foreign sides who we will never actually meet in European competition ?.
Imagine Tottenham coming to play your local team and the excitement that would generate, or even better your team invited to Wembley for a game against Kane, Alli and friends.

Just a thought......there must be some 'middle ground' to be found on this as the current 'friendly tours' seem to be more of an unnecessary mental and physical exertion rather than chance to "stretch the legs" before the season begins.
 
Last edited:

Jody

SC Supporter
Sep 11, 2004
7,004
5,816
I think if you are going to have a pre season friendly it makes sense to have it against top class opponents. I'd rather lose to city than thump Stevenage 10 nil. Fans just need to not take it so seriously- can't believe how much angst has come out of what is essentially a meaningless training game that is generating a load of money for the sake of a few hours in a plane.
 

Krule

Carpe Diem
Jun 4, 2017
4,534
8,686
I think if you are going to have a pre season friendly it makes sense to have it against top class opponents. I'd rather lose to city than thump Stevenage 10 nil. Fans just need to not take it so seriously- can't believe how much angst has come out of what is essentially a meaningless training game that is generating a load of money for the sake of a few hours in a plane.

Do you not think if someone like Janssen played and scored five goals in a 10-0 win against Stevenage it would do more for his confidence pre-season than 20 or 30 minutes against a quality Manchester City side in the USA and coming off yet again without scoring ?
Sometimes just hitting the net (regardless of opposition) is all you need to kick start your game. It's only my opinion and I completely understand why top clubs enter these tournaments, I just happen to think the total package is tiring, demanding, proves nothing and can sometime be psychologically detrimental.
 
Last edited:

mugpunt

Active Member
Mar 7, 2006
131
217
We probably got paid 10 million for taking part...a massive unquantifiable raise in our USA commercial value...which allows us to pay the mega wages when our stadium project gets paid down in a couple of years

And the same forces which attracts us there sets up a higher quality competing environment than we could set up on our own
 

Ben1

Well-Known Member
Jun 22, 2015
2,130
8,411
I like the tournaments...not keen on playing Premier league opponents pre season.
 

Bobbins

SC's 14th Sexiest Male 2008
May 5, 2005
21,548
45,031
We got paid about £10m for this trip, so yes, it was worth it.

City also signed half a team whilst over there, it makes no difference to transfers.
 

shelfboy68

Well-Known Member
Jun 14, 2008
14,566
19,651
I really do fully appreciate the enormous marketing demands a premiership club has to satisfy regarding overseas supporters but I do sometimes question these overseas 'friendly' tournaments they enter. To travel all the way to the USA and play Manchester City seems slightly 'off the wall' and serves no purpose whatsoever other than to possibly give the winning team some sort of psychological edge before the season starts. The managers are obviously unable to directly involve themselves in proposed transfer deals whilst abroad and presumably rely on mobile phones and text messages to be kept up to date with developments....hardly ideal.
Would it not be better if we took a week off somewhere and played some local teams as a marketing ploy instead....? not as physically demanding, a chance to relax and 'showboat' a little and still fly the Spurs flag. In a sense a light training session followed by some friendly banter with genuine football supporters and not neutral crowds who come to watch out of curiosity rather being devotees.

I realise we would probably lose a lot of money with TV broadcasting rights but if it gave us 1) An opportunity to perhaps sign players earlier on in the window. 2) Give them a gentler introduction to the club and squad. 3) Allow them to integrate in a more relaxed match atmosphere and 4) Remove us from any sort of pre-season mind games by not playing fellow title contenders.

Do we really need the 'hassle' of travelling thousands and thousands of miles to play teams that are normally just a couple of hours drive away .... and other foreign sides who we will never actually meet in European competition ?.
Imagine Tottenham coming to play your local team and the excitement that would generate, or even better your team invited to Wembley for a game against Kane, Alli and friends.

Just a thought......there must be some 'middle ground' to be found on this as the current 'friendly tours' seem to be more of an unnecessary mental and physical exertion rather than chance to "stretch the legs" before the season begins.
Being in the US for just over a week hasn't stopped us or rather should not have stopped us doing deals, since we have had the end of the season in may until now and have again done nothing.
So it matters not about whether it's difficult being on his phone abroad or in the UK, so if your doing fuck all it doesn't matter where you are in the world.
 

desert spur

Member
Aug 20, 2013
48
89
The fans in the US appreciate them :) Although one of the stranger sights on camera was someone in a Man U jersey at the TOT/ROMA match cheering after a Roma goal. #mixed-messages

In terms of overall visibility, these matches were mostly broadcast in primetime on ESPN or ESPN2 (in the states), while most premier league matches are relegated to 2nd/3rd tier NBC alternate channels (and are obviously not on during prime time).

If the goal was only pre-season warmup and testing match fitness, the travel hardly seems worth it. But to pocket a bit of cash and let some US fans see top level competition in action (even if just warming up pre-season), it helps grow international appeal of the sport, future revenue opportunities, etc. The only downside is you might have to suffer through some american football as a tradeoff. :)
 

kendoddsdadsdogsdead

Well-Known Member
Aug 29, 2011
2,140
3,574
We probably got paid 10 million for taking part...a massive unquantifiable raise in our USA commercial value...which allows us to pay the mega wages when our stadium project gets paid down in a couple of years

And the same forces which attracts us there sets up a higher quality competing environment than we could set up on our own

Which is why for me it's odd that levy thinks the current spending is not sustainable. Yet we're over there increasing our and the sports profile. They must surely think there's plenty of the American market to tap into and in turn television money. There seems to be a bit of a disconnect in his words and why we're over there this pre season.
 

coyspurs18

Mistakes were made
Jul 4, 2013
2,598
7,075
I really do fully appreciate the enormous marketing demands a premiership club has to satisfy regarding overseas supporters but I do sometimes question these overseas 'friendly' tournaments they enter. To travel all the way to the USA and play Manchester City seems slightly 'off the wall' and serves no purpose whatsoever other than to possibly give the winning team some sort of psychological edge before the season starts. The managers are obviously unable to directly involve themselves in proposed transfer deals whilst abroad and presumably rely on mobile phones and text messages to be kept up to date with developments....hardly ideal.
Would it not be better if we took a week off somewhere and played some local teams as a marketing ploy instead....? not as physically demanding, a chance to relax and 'showboat' a little and still fly the Spurs flag. In a sense a light training session followed by some friendly banter with genuine football supporters and not neutral crowds who come to watch out of curiosity rather being devotees.

I realise we would probably lose a lot of money with TV broadcasting rights but if it gave us 1) An opportunity to perhaps sign players earlier on in the window. 2) Give them a gentler introduction to the club and squad. 3) Allow them to integrate in a more relaxed match atmosphere and 4) Remove us from any sort of pre-season mind games by not playing fellow title contenders.

Do we really need the 'hassle' of travelling thousands and thousands of miles to play teams that are normally just a couple of hours drive away .... and other foreign sides who we will never actually meet in European competition ?.
Imagine Tottenham coming to play your local team and the excitement that would generate, or even better your team invited to Wembley for a game against Kane, Alli and friends.

Just a thought......there must be some 'middle ground' to be found on this as the current 'friendly tours' seem to be more of an unnecessary mental and physical exertion rather than chance to "stretch the legs" before the season begins.

To your point in bold...to say that the fans that attended these matches are not "genuine football supporters" is way off the mark and demeaning. Are Americans not able to be "genuine football supporters"? Are there not many expats that are "genuine football supporters"? Many of these fans spend thousands to travel to London to watch the team and those that aren't capable of that have spent quite a bit to get to these matches in the States. While it's clearly a marketing opportunity for the team, for the fans it may be a once in a lifetime opportunity to see the team they support live. I went to the game in New York (well New Jersey really) and can state that it didn't seem like a crowd of neutrals. While there wasn't constant singing, the songs from the crowd were the same ones sung at WHL. They were both loud and full of conviction..sorry for the rant but it pisses me off that some people think that their support means more based on geographical location.
 

Ben1

Well-Known Member
Jun 22, 2015
2,130
8,411
Being in the US for just over a week hasn't stopped us or rather should not have stopped us doing deals, since we have had the end of the season in may until now and have again done nothing.
So it matters not about whether it's difficult being on his phone abroad or in the UK, so if your doing fuck all it doesn't matter where you are in the world.
agreed, in this modern day the idea a tour would hold up deals is ridiculous. Darn it Mr Barkley, we'll get to business once we've sent the carrier pigeon and started sailing home.
 

Spurs72

Don't Call It A Comeback
May 20, 2008
565
484
I really do fully appreciate the enormous marketing demands a premiership club has to satisfy regarding overseas supporters but I do sometimes question these overseas 'friendly' tournaments they enter. To travel all the way to the USA and play Manchester City seems slightly 'off the wall' and serves no purpose whatsoever other than to possibly give the winning team some sort of psychological edge before the season starts. The managers are obviously unable to directly involve themselves in proposed transfer deals whilst abroad and presumably rely on mobile phones and text messages to be kept up to date with developments....hardly ideal.
Would it not be better if we took a week off somewhere and played some local teams as a marketing ploy instead....? not as physically demanding, a chance to relax and 'showboat' a little and still fly the Spurs flag. In a sense a light training session followed by some friendly banter with genuine football supporters and not neutral crowds who come to watch out of curiosity rather being devotees.

I realise we would probably lose a lot of money with TV broadcasting rights but if it gave us 1) An opportunity to perhaps sign players earlier on in the window. 2) Give them a gentler introduction to the club and squad. 3) Allow them to integrate in a more relaxed match atmosphere and 4) Remove us from any sort of pre-season mind games by not playing fellow title contenders.

Do we really need the 'hassle' of travelling thousands and thousands of miles to play teams that are normally just a couple of hours drive away .... and other foreign sides who we will never actually meet in European competition ?.
Imagine Tottenham coming to play your local team and the excitement that would generate, or even better your team invited to Wembley for a game against Kane, Alli and friends.

Just a thought......there must be some 'middle ground' to be found on this as the current 'friendly tours' seem to be more of an unnecessary mental and physical exertion rather than chance to "stretch the legs" before the season begins.


That being said about the 'Marketing Demands" I think means you kind of Understand ;) , Marketing,Promotion, Globalizing the Tottenham Hotspur Brand is what this is all about.
 
Last edited:

Krule

Carpe Diem
Jun 4, 2017
4,534
8,686
To your point in bold...to say that the fans that attended these matches are not "genuine football supporters" is way off the mark and demeaning. Are Americans not able to be "genuine football supporters"? Are there not many expats that are "genuine football supporters"? Many of these fans spend thousands to travel to London to watch the team and those that aren't capable of that have spent quite a bit to get to these matches in the States. While it's clearly a marketing opportunity for the team, for the fans it may be a once in a lifetime opportunity to see the team they support live. I went to the game in New York (well New Jersey really) and can state that it didn't seem like a crowd of neutrals. While there wasn't constant singing, the songs from the crowd were the same ones sung at WHL. They were both loud and full of conviction..sorry for the rant but it pisses me off that some people think that their support means more based on geographical location.

My sincere apologies if that is the way my posting was perceived. It's just that in a previous article a member from the USA said that the majority of the crowds were 'neutral' at such matches and I wrongly assumed that to be the case. I fully understand your annoyance and would never attempt to demean the fervour with which you support the club. Geographical location is not a determining factor regarding strength of support and your viewpoint and opinions on here are just as valid as anyone else's. It was not my intention to cause offence in any way to our overseas supporters and I shall amend my posting accordingly.

PS
You were perfectly correct in having a rant....reading my post again I can completely understand your annoyance. Once again profuse apologies.....
 

Krule

Carpe Diem
Jun 4, 2017
4,534
8,686
That being said you do about the 'Marketing Demands" I think means you kind of Understand ;) , Marketing,Promotion, Globalizing the Tottenham Hotspur Brand is what this is all about.

Totally understand but I question playing a fellow title contender in such a competition. That City game was hardly a 'friendly' with quite a few dodgy tackles going in (vast majority from City). Imagine if you and I were having this conversation and Harry Kane was flying home with a long term injury caused by a bad Kompany tackle ??.
 

Spurs72

Don't Call It A Comeback
May 20, 2008
565
484
Totally understand but I question playing a fellow title contender in such a competition. That City game was hardly a 'friendly' with quite a few dodgy tackles going in (vast majority from City). Imagine if you and I were having this conversation and Harry Kane was flying home with a long term injury caused by a bad Kompany tackle ??.

I Kind of wished we played other League Teams like PSG , Roma, Real Madrid , Bayern Munich , Celtic etc so we could see where we need to be for the upcoming season and not play a EPL rival myself , why show EPL Rivals anything, cause that City game to me helped City more than it helped us to be honest, but then again we helped them also, sold them our best RB in Walker IMHO and then we decide to get beat 3-0 by them :mad:
 

coys200

Well-Known Member
May 22, 2017
8,436
17,403
People make way to much of the travel factor.Its 2017 not 1917.Not like it takes us a week on a boat to get there and back.And let's be honest who on here wouldn't fancy 10 days in the states in 5 star accomadation with our mates and play some footy ,it's hardly a hardship.
I think it's very noticeable that majority of our tours in last 7 years have been to the states.Its pretty obvious it's a market we are really looking to feed into,and looks like we are very well supported out there.Probably some forward thinking as well with our new NFL relationship.To end up the best supported EPL team in the states would be pretty significant form a commercial stance.
 

coyspurs18

Mistakes were made
Jul 4, 2013
2,598
7,075
My sincere apologies if that is the way my posting was perceived. It's just that in a previous article a member from the USA said that the majority of the crowds were 'neutral' at such matches and I wrongly assumed that to be the case. I fully understand your annoyance and would never attempt to demean the fervour with which you support the club. Geographical location is not a determining factor regarding strength of support and your viewpoint and opinions on here are just as valid as anyone else's. It was not my intention to cause offence in any way to our overseas supporters and I shall amend my posting accordingly.

PS
You were perfectly correct in having a rant....reading my post again I can completely understand your annoyance. Once again profuse apologies.....

No worries. There were definitely neutral supporters in attendance but it was minimal. For the Roma match I’d say (guessing obviously) 75% Spurs, 20% Roma, and 5% neutral. Not sure which match that poster attended but where I was I wouldn’t refer to the crowd in general as a neutral one. I appreciate your response. All the best. COYS!!!
 

Krule

Carpe Diem
Jun 4, 2017
4,534
8,686
To end up the best supported EPL team in the states would be pretty significant from a commercial stance.[/QUOTE]

It would be magnificent when you consider that the best supported Premier League team in the USA is currently.....'they who must not be named' :poop:
 

tony0379

The bald midget has to go!
May 17, 2004
15,802
41,079
To end up the best supported EPL team in the states would be pretty significant from a commercial stance.

It would be magnificent when you consider that the best supported Premier League team in the USA is currently.....'they who must not be named' :poop:[/QUOTE]
Twitter?
 

Gb160

Well done boys. Good process
Jun 20, 2012
23,646
93,315
sorry for the rant but it pisses me off that some people think that their support means more based on geographical location.
I don't think it's geographical location as such, but you have to be honest here...a lot of Americans have only been aware of the premier league for the last decade or so...you can't really compare that support to the lifelong fans from the UK who have fathers/grandfathers etc who have also supported the club since birth.
What I do respect however, is the relatively new Spurs fans who for whatever reason have chosen to support us...it'd be very easy to choose one of the Mancs/Chelsea/City/Arsenal due to their recent successes.
 
Top