Tottenham Hotspur moved into their brand new 62,062 capacity seater stadium earlier this week when it hosted its first competitive fixture.
Wednesday’s 2-0 curtain raiser against Crystal Palace in the Premier League ensured that Spurs got off to the best possible start following their return to North London.
Following the demolition of the 36,000 capacity White Hart Lane, Spurs now have the second biggest club stadium in England with only Old Trafford bigger.
The increased capacity will allow Spurs to substantially increase match day revenue with chairman Daniel Levy believing that Spurs will become “one of the biggest clubs in the world”, despite escalating costs at their new billion-pound stadium (Sky Sports).
However, former Arsenal midfielder Paul Merson believes that Spurs are nowhere near close to becoming a big side despite the construction of the new stadium.
Instead, Merson has claimed that the new stadium could end being troublesome as they adjust to their new surroundings.
He told the Daily Star: “Tottenham’s new stadium looks lovely, but does it make them a big team? No. Not even close,”
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“Spurs need to buy players this summer or they will finish where they do this year. That’s the problem for Mauricio Pochettino.
“I think it’s a big gamble to move in now the way they have as well.
“Footballers like routine. They are creatures of habit. They don’t like change.
“But suddenly everything has changed for Tottenham’s players. It’s all different. From the way they get to the game, to where they go in the ground, where their families sit, which facilities they use.
“I don’t think the new ground is an advantage for them at all. It’s going to take them a lot of getting used to.
“Also, they could play without any nerves or tension at Wembley because there were no expectations and they could play there every week.
“But Crystal Palace was a pressure game and they will have a few more of them now because we don’t have long to go until the end of the season.
“They had a great result against Palace because I thought that would be tricky for them in the first game with all the emotion, but they didn’t look comfortable. They need to settle in quick.”
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