Opinion
10 August 2017 2682 comments
davidwardale davidwardale
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In the words of Cockney prophets Chas & Dave: ‘Spurs are on their way to Wembley, Tottenham’s going to do it again’.

This season, in a move that even a dreaming Ossie Ardiles might tire of, they’ll be on their way to Wembley many more times than usual to fulfil 19 Premier League home fixtures while their new stadium is being built.

And the fear is that what Tottenham’s going to be doing again is struggle.

The precedents are not good – West Ham suffered when they moved into their new home last season, while Spurs lost two and drew one of their four European matches at Wembley in 2016/17.

A strong second-place finish last campaign, fuelled by key assets Harry Kane, Dele Alli and Christian Eriksen, would usually demand our Fantasy attention.

But will the move to Wembley change all that? Will it prompt a right old Knees Up or a case of Ain’t No Pleasing You?

We canvas the opinion of some leading Fantasy Premier League managers and Fantasy Football Scout staff to ask for their verdict on the fourth of this season’s Burning Questions: Is the Wembley factor really a concern when considering Spurs’ assets?

Peter Kouwenberg (Hall of Fame #1) Says…

A confession: I was one who skippered Kane for the Hull City and Burnley blanks last December before a rare rage-transfer out – just in time to ‘enjoy’ his festive haul of six goals in four matches.

I also became something of an expert throughout the season at swapping Eriksen in and out for Alli, just in time to miss each other’s goals and assists, before finally admitting defeat and bringing in all three players.

As a result, I am the last person qualified to comment on Spurs.

Much has been written about why they do, and may continue to, struggle at Wembley and if I was a Spurs fan, I probably would be a little bit nervous about this.

However, I would be far more fearful of not having Kane in my team, with a match away at newly promoted Newcastle and a home fixture against Burnley sandwiching the Chelsea clash.

I agree that there are viable alternatives – the Manchester City strikers and new boys Alvaro Morata and Alexandre Lacazette could all justify excluding Kane – but I’ll be riding out the first three games at least, after which the fixtures suggest it would be a brave or foolish player not to have at least one Spurs attacker.

Where I think the Wembley wariness will influence me is in not trebling up from the off. Alli was the first name on my first draft team sheet and I still think he (and Eriksen) could continue where they left off last season.

However, wagering over a quarter of my £100m budget on Spurs (including the injured Kieran Trippier) to beat their Wembley hoodoo may be a gamble too far.

Uwais Ahmed (FPL Runner-Up 2016/17) Says…

I believe that playing at Wembley for 19 home matches will make a difference, but how much this will affect the Spurs players is impossible to tell.

We simply don’t have a decent sample size of data to confirm how much of a factor Wembley will be. What we do know is that Spurs won 21 of 23 matches played at White Hart Lane last season across all competitions, and you would expect this will be difficult to match this time around.

Given Harry Kane is the most expensive player in FPL, at £12.5m, you have to take into account all factors when fielding a player who uses up such a significant portion of our budget. Playing at Wembley is one such factor.

Kane is England’s number one striker. He’s played at Wembley on a number of occasions, so we’re not talking about a novice with a complete unfamiliarity of his surroundings. What also works in Kane’s favour is that he is a nailed-on starter for Spurs so there is no rotation risk around him.

I believe that in considering Spurs’ assets, you have to play it by ear. What you can hang your hat on is that last season in the Premier League, Spurs had the joint-best goal difference at home and the best goal difference away. This tells you that they’re a very well-balanced team with FPL options across all positions.

They’ve earned the right for us to ignore the Wembley aspect to begin with, particularly with their favourable opening schedule.

But we might need to re-visit the issue once we have more evidence and information.

Ben Crabtree (Reigning FPL Champion) Says…

Stadium moves generally negatively affect performance.

Couple this with Spurs, and Kane in particular, being slow starters and there should be caution around their prized assets.

The 6-1 and 7-1 maulings they handed out in the spring were nearly three months ago. Their form – and that of all the other teams – is re-set for the new season and no-one has half an eye on the beach anymore.

I feel Spurs are less likely to win the title this season. Today’s Danny Rose story is symptomatic of the frustration at the club, with some players concerned that rivals have strengthened so much while their only business has made them weaker, ie losing Kyle Walker.

Then again, I’m open to the possibility of my thoughts deriving from confirmation bias.

Pretending Spurs have no options saves a lot of money and makes picking a team easier. There is a stadium move, but they’ve played there before so it’s not completely new. Kane hasn’t scored in August before, but that could mean he’ll score three months worth of goals this August to average it out.

Then there’s Eriksen and Alli who, as a rule, score more points each year. Even if they get ‘only’ this season, I don’t want to be missing out on that.

At the start you can only have so many top players. The tactic I generally use is to see what factors rule players out rather than in. I think Wembley is a big enough concern to put Spurs on hold for now.

Simon March (FPL Champion 2014/15) Says…

My theory when it comes to Spurs and the ‘Wembley factor’ is that their recent malaise there has less to do with the size of the pitch or the unfamiliar surroundings and much more to do with the fact that it is simply ‘Wembley’.

The venue is synonymous with ‘an occasion’ and, for the visiting teams and their fans, fixtures there take on a cup final atmosphere, irrespective of their actual significance. As a result, Spurs’ opponents typically bring along a larger, louder following and their players raise their game accordingly.

If this is true, then Spurs may have 19 ‘cup finals’ on their hands next season and this could, of course, impact on their players’ performances.

Though I expect Spurs to eventually adapt to their new surroundings and the greater pressure that comes with them, I might be concerned about their results early on in the season.

I’m less concerned, however, with the impact on Spurs as an attacking force.

Even if the results aren’t going their way, I think their usual suspects of Kane, Alli and Eriksen will still find opportunities to score.

The atmosphere might even work in their favour at times, with opposing teams less inclined to ‘park the bus’ in front of a more vociferous than usual away following.

So, while I might avoid their defence for a few Gameweeks at least, I’ll still be backing their attacking assets.

Jonty Says…

Spurs were an unstoppable force at White Hart Lane last season, racking up more shots than any home side and scoring 47 times – a tally only bettered by Chelsea.

In defence, they conceded just nine times in front of their own fans and kept 12 clean sheets – another two records for their 2016/17 stats cabinet.

Given that they effectively play 38 away matches this season, due to Wembley being their temporary home, the theory is that this fine record will suffer.

Leading the charge in pushing this theory are those that study pitch sizes. They will point out that, at 100 x 67 metres, White Hart Lane had the second smallest Premier League pitch last season and Spurs players may struggle to adjust to the extra space afforded by Wembley’s gigantic 105 x 69 metres (7,245 ) of turf.

West Ham’s travails after their move to a larger pitch at the London Stadium last season further strengthen this ‘groundsman’s argument’.

Then there’s Spurs’ track record at Wembley – a stadium where last season they were beaten by Monaco, Bayer Leverkusen and Chelsea and could only secure a draw against Belgian team KAA Gent. In fact, CSKA Moscow were the only side they managed to beat at the home of English football last season.

But I’m still not buying into the Wembley effect.

The key is that, in Kane, they have a player looking to win the Golden Boot for the third consecutive season and who still scored 12 goals on the road last season – with only Alexis Sanchez and Sergio Aguero scoring more.

In addition, their away record was superb – suggesting the tight White Hart Lane pitch is not needed for success. On the road they conceded a mere 16 times- another record – and scored 39, which was only bettered by Manchester City.

If Spurs fail to replicate 2016/17’s form, it won’t be due to playing at Wembley. It will arguably be more to do with their failure to impress in the transfer market, where they have lost one of their best players in full-back Walker and have been forced to watch in envy as their rivals strengthen.

Paul Says…

Due to Spurs’ tactics under Mauricio Pochettino, I don’t think you can rule out the Wembley issue altogether, or at least in the very early stages.

Spurs play such a high-pressing game that, with more ground and space to cover in their new home, there’s a possibility that energy levels could drop later in matches and they might not be able to close down opponents quite so effectively.

That’s essentially a fitness factor and one that their manager will presumably address by ensuring that Spurs’ levels are even greater than before. It could initially have an impact but, as the season unfolds and the players up their match fitness and become more accustomed to Wembley, I can’t see it being an issue.

Kane’s minutes per away goal last season – which was almost identical to Romelu Lukaku’s at home – underlines that he’s far from reliant on White Hart Lane. At present, he’s the only Spurs player I own as I feel he’s unparalleled as a captaincy pick.

Elsewhere, you can also point to the fact that Alli had more big chances away from home than any FPL midfielder last season. Eriksen, meanwhile, sat first for shots and key passes, and his penchant for efforts from distance is unlikely to be quenched.

Defensively, I’m going to steer clear of Spurs for now and see if they can maintain the same levels of resilience as last season.

But with Burnley, Swansea City and Bournemouth three of their first four visitors, the opening schedule should allow them to settle and give us time to assess any possible Wembley impact.

Mark Says…

While they have been conspicuous by their absence in the transfer market, in many ways it was difficult to strengthen Pochettino’s first XI and, under normal circumstances I’d reluctantly be installing Spurs as title favourites.

But the Wembley factor has to be a consideration and, coupled with the sudden unrest in the camp following Rose’s outburst today, I do have escalating concerns about their prospects.

The pitch size and sense of occasion created by the stadium move is less of a factor than the morale issues for me.

I worry that, with a ready-made excuse for a reduced title bid, the mood in the camp could suddenly plummet further.

One of the main reasons for Spurs’ success last season was the fact that they came across as the most unified and spirited of teams.

But cracks are now appearing and I do feel that the re-location will compound matters.

Having said that, I am still struggling to overlook Kane.

Based on last season’s output, he is peerless as a captain option and while there is explosivity and possibly consistency on offer from Romelu Lukaku and Gabriel Jesus, they are for my money still giving chase to Kane for these qualities .

So Kane will likely get the nod for me, regardless of my concerns.

However, I am unlikely to back him with Eriksen or Alli for fear of over-investment in a side perhaps on the verge of a transition – both in terms of venue and, perhaps, mentality and confidence.

  1. Dimen
    • 12 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    Foster
    Cedric - Trippier - Daniels
    Tadic - Mkhitaryan - Alli - Mané
    Lukaku - Kane - Tammy.

    GTG?

    1. gudnodin
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      Trippier is risky ? might not start first rounds

      1. Rhodes your boat
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 6 months ago

        Trippier to Davies?

    2. kalmoffit
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      Trippier out injured

  2. Waxys
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    https://www.facebook.com/OfficialFootballFeed/videos/1428053113951200/

    When people ask me for my reasons as to why I have Rooney in my team I feel like I give a similar response lol

    1. Waxys
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      Love ya Wayne

      1. Deulofail
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 6 months ago

        He does his talking on the bench

  3. Boom Xhaka-Laca
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    Draft league for players playing the whole season: 617770-142058

  4. mcgrejam
    • 12 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    Sorry post got lost from bottom of page...

    A)
    Forster
    Valencia,Yoshida,Alonso,Kompany,Kolasinac
    Mane,Atsu,De Bruyne
    Jesus,Lukaku

    Subs - Elliott,Mitrovic,RLC,Carroll

    Or

    B)
    Forster
    Valencia,Danilo,Cahill,Yoshida
    Mane,Ritchie,De Bruyne
    Jesus,Lukaku,Gabbiadini

    Subs - Elliott, Rangel,RLC,Carroll

    Which one please?

    1. GS456
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      too much in defence in both for me.

  5. bennydebull
    • 13 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    Reasons against Cesc and Walcott?

    1. Turbolag
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      Cesc: Most prefer Willian

      Walcott: Not nailed

  6. Lone Wolf
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    RP. 3 questions:

    1. Best 4.5 keeper (not Foster)
    2. Name best two 4.5 defenders (not Mee)
    3. Is owning Speroni+Elliot too risky?

    1. Yankee Toffee
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      1. Fabianski
      2. ???
      3. Yes

    2. Turbolag
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      1. Ryan
      2. Suttner, TAA
      3. I wouldn't do it, but I don't think so.

  7. Yankee Toffee
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    Best two 4.5 def rotation pair?

    1. Lecky Legs FC
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      Mee & Naughton

      1. Yankee Toffee
        • 11 Years
        8 years, 6 months ago

        Cheers

        1. Lecky Legs FC
          • 10 Years
          8 years, 6 months ago

          NP

  8. Rhodes your boat
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    Guys I know pages are flying but if I could get a couple of opinions on this then I would really appreciate it

    A) Stephens +0.5ITB (for safety but a less guarenteed starter)
    B) Bertrand
    C) Bavies

    Thinking of bringing in trippier in gw3 however that's dependent on spurs's form

    1. Pep's Money Laundry
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      B

    2. Team Cruel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      Berty

    3. Galza
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      B

      1. Rhodes your boat
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 6 months ago

        Thanks guys

  9. JimmyB
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    A)Walcott, Mane, Gabbiadini, Jesus
    B) De Bruyne, Redmond, Firminio, Lacazette

    1. Rhodes your boat
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      B

  10. DT’s HighFlyingBirds
    • 13 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    Just gone and done it; Lukaku out for Kane whose up front with Jesus & Gabbs.
    Mid: KDB, Salah, Willian Richie (Carroll)

    What am I smokin'?

    1. Rhodes your boat
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      Nothing bad

    2. Cpt Crunch Scott talent
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      You would have asked the same if you had kept Lukaku and gone without Kane

    3. the_big_v
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      I'm on the verge of ditching Kane for Jesus and keeping Lukaku.
      That's the beauty of this game, one of us will be smiling and one of us will be crying.

      Would you like a tissue? 😉

      1. DT’s HighFlyingBirds
        • 13 Years
        8 years, 6 months ago

        Haha

    4. Klopptomist Scott Jelly
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      Looks good to me

  11. Gnu
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 16 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    TFM still listed as Manu Player - FPL just being Tardy?

    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 16 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      It's a Crystal Palace trap of 4 players.

  12. Waxys
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    How long is Son out for?

    I'm tempted to bring him and start Carrol while he's out he looks so good for 8m

    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 16 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      Just get him when he's back?

      1. Waxys
        • 8 Years
        8 years, 6 months ago

        Very difficult..

        Most I can do is bring him in when the season starts for a hit

    2. GS456
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      he could be great value when fit. But don't see the point of getting him now.

    3. kalmoffit
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      I did this once. My player didn't get back until October.

      1. Waxys
        • 8 Years
        8 years, 6 months ago

        But he's called up for the World Cup qualifiers and Spurs said he may feature in the opening game so it can't be more than one week

  13. Klopptomist Scott Jelly
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    Hi fellas

    Just had my draft picks. What do you think?

    Heaton/Butland
    Walker/Valencia/Cedric/Trippier/Adam Smith
    Alli/Zaha/Klaasen/Walters/Lallana
    Sandro/Jesus/Tekkers

    Free agents available:
    Tadic
    Stanislas
    McAuley
    Shawcross
    Rodriguez
    Deeney

    Think any of those worth using a waiver for?

  14. GS456
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    Which 2?

    a) Ritchie and Firmino
    b) Salah and Abraham

    1. Galza
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      A

  15. Vman
    • 12 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    Anyone taking a punt on Solanke

    1. Klopptomist Scott Jelly
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      Nah

  16. Oven Glover
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    @Waxys

    Hats of man. 180 pages of posts from you. I think you deserve recognition for that. You must be the most frequent poster on here. I admire your stamina 🙂

    1. TheTinman
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      He needs a bird

    2. Better Call Paul
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      *useless posts

      1. Oven Glover
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 6 months ago

        I wasn't talking about the quality of posts. He'll get no awards for that 😉

      2. Waxys
        • 8 Years
        8 years, 6 months ago

        Square up

    3. Waxys
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      Thank u.

      I talk heaps irl too.

    4. Waxys
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      My first post was actually at the end of last season.

      Needed a Rooney hatty in the palace game to win my mini league.

      Didn't happen unfortunately but strong end all the same

  17. TheTinman
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    Matt Richies fooking magic

  18. fredfred48
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    ok think i am there..

    Begovic
    Kolsanic, Ake, Stones
    Willian, Zaha, Mkhtitajan, KDB
    Lakaku, Batshuyai, Jesus

    i really want to See if Bat pays off great Dif if he does but cover if he doesnot...changes? other than Bat?

    1. The Gohan
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      Firminho in place of Bats

  19. gauzah
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    Why is everyone so sure Austin won't start?

    Imo he's the best in that bracket for 6.5m, he scored 9 league goals before his injury and had some decent consistency in FPL from what I remember.

  20. Biancazzurri
    • 13 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    Last game at Wembley Spurs played very good (yes, they lost, but it was a freak loss), Kane scored a brace. The theory is BS.

  21. t4thomas
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    I just prefer my team without Kane.

    I expect I’ll hit the WC button early and I’ve got a route to him for a small hit in GW3 if I can roll my transfer over.

    I therefore ask whether a Kane-less team is better with Alli or Eriksen?

    I feel like a big Kane score will likely benefit Eriksen; and therefore is more aligned to the concept of coverage. However, a big Alli score could come at any time independent of a Kane performance.

    1. Klopptomist Scott Jelly
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      Eriksen more consistent creator I feel and Alli may get targeted (i.e. by Chelsea's own Kante)

  22. rick ding whoop
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    what are the chances of fossil mensa being in the starting line up on saturday chaps?

  23. RAFA THE GAFFA
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    These 3 spots are so difficult to fill. 3rd striker, 2nd mid, 2nd def.

    A. Abraham+Mane+Bertrand
    B. Chicharito+Salah+Yoshida
    C. Firmino+Zaha+Bertrand

  24. mattk lfc
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    Pretty happy with this, midfield a tad on the weak side but I like all the options

    Foster Elliot
    Kolasinac PVA Bertrand Mee Hegazi
    KDB Zaha Ritchie JWP Carroll
    Kane Lukaku Firmino

  25. Whats the Mata?
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    Anyone here with DDG for Utd def cover?

    1. Coaly
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      o/

      1. Jack Burton
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 6 months ago

        Yeah and me bring it on

  26. Atimis
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    Any better 4.5 than Suttner ? Ideas ? TFM ?

    1. Klopptomist Scott Jelly
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      Me? TAA short term?

      1. Klopptomist Scott Jelly
        • 8 Years
        8 years, 6 months ago

        *Mee lol

  27. thekingiii
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    Can any members advise on how to bookmark the "Rate My Team" template? I have one in place on my mobile but can't find how to bookmark it, which is annoying.

    Cheers to anyone who can help!

    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 16 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      http://rate-my-team.fantasyfootballscout.co.uk/players/

      What do you mean by template? Next week you'll just need your FPL ID number.

      1. thekingiii
        • 8 Years
        8 years, 6 months ago

        Hi Torres

        I've selected my team but it says "once a team is built it can be saved as a bookmark". However I can't see where to save this and I keep losing it

        1. TorresMagic™
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 16 Years
          8 years, 6 months ago

          That isn't an option. Just leave the tab open.

          1. thekingiii
            • 8 Years
            8 years, 6 months ago

            OK cheers pal, I appreciate it and good luck for the season!

  28. bru10
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    DDG (Elliott)
    Kolasinac/Stephens/Dann (Mee/Goldson)
    Zaha/KdB/Mane/Carroll (Atsu)
    Kane/Lukaku/Jrod

    what do you think?

  29. Roberto Baggio
    • 14 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    Amazing when I have tinkered away from this team and somehow managed to end up with the same team after 3 different teams

    Fabianski Elliot
    Valencia Daniels Cedric Danilo (Mariappa)
    Pog Erik Zaha KDB (tcarrol)
    Lukaku (c) Jesus (4.5)

    Valencia Cedric
    Or
    Bailly Monreal

    ?

  30. Coaly
    • 13 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    Carroll Abraham or Atsu Ayew?

    The latter gives better rotation cover but I think Tammy is more of a goal threat than Ayew

    1. Klopptomist Scott Jelly
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      1