Tottenham Hotspur urged to follow the PSG blueprint to get the best out of the matchday crowd
There have been a lot of talks going on around the Lilywhites’ underwhelming performances at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. And the North Londoners have now been advised that the atmosphere at the stadium is not yet at the standard fitting for the aspirations that the club is aiming for.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with Tottenham Hotspur News, season‑ticket holder and owner of reputed Spurs podcast Lilywhites Rose, John Wenham expressed his worry around the current match‑day going crowd. He thinks that they don’t have that intent while he compares it with the likes of Paris Saint‑Germain. He said (via. Tottenham Hotspur News):
“PSG, for example, they’ve got one end of their stand, the ticket prices are about 30 per cent of what the people paying the rest of the stand, and they’re exclusively reserved for the younger generations of people, and they can be an absolute racket the whole game.
But that moves around the stadium, which reflects in the atmosphere.
“At the moment, the way it’s set up for me is to be a commercial sort of venue.
They don’t want that loud, aggressive, kind of football atmosphere, but that is part and part of why atmospheres in football are so good, that banter with the away fans, stop for the game and that has dried out completely at the stadium.”
Current atmosphere at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
The Lilywhites’ home record is more than just disappointing. The Premier League heavyweights have only won three of their past 17 home games at the Tottenham Hotspur stadium. But it’s not just that; when you directly compare the performances that the same roster are putting in the away games, the difference is quite revealing. Thomas Frank & Co. have enjoyed more success on the road in the ongoing campaign than they have when hosting teams.
Now if we look at some of the teams with the best home records, the first thing that you spot is a lively home atmosphere. It is commonly referred to as one of the cores for turning a stadium into a fortress because you use it to not only boost your players but also to intimidate the visiting players. It gives you that untold competitive advantage.
How are PSG using the young crowd to boost the atmosphere?
And that is something that John Wenham is trying to come at with his words. French giants Paris Saint‑Germain have reserved some of the stands in their stadium which are for younger supporters. Given how they are more vocal supporters and usually add to the noise around the stadium.
What PSG has done is also lowered ticket prices for these seats as they urge them into standing and chanting and making a constant fuss all ninety minutes long. And this is how you have a section of your home supporters to always have a sense of “active” space, which ends up compounding the atmosphere.
TTLB Opinion
We see this approach to adapt a PSG-like solution as more of a long-term solution. An energetic home crowd can definitely help spur performances the Spurs’ way.
Do you think that if the North Londoners can create a more lively atmosphere then Frank could turn Tottenham Hotspur Stadium into an actual fortress? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
