Spurs to Wembley - Is this a good move for anyone?

Tottenham today confirmed that they will play their home games during the 2017/2018 season at the home of English football while White Hart Lane is being worked on. Wembley stadium is one of the biggest and most iconic football grounds on the planet and is viewed as a coliseum for the biggest teams to compete for the biggest prizes. The English national side are the only team who have ever called Wembley home, until today. The opportunity for Spurs to play their home games at Wembley is huge for both the club and their fans however, for the newest tenants of Wembley stadium and English football as a whole, is this a wise move?

The North London club are no strangers to Wembley stadium, after playing their European home games their during the current campaign as well as reaching a number of finals and semi finals over the past several years. What is interesting about this is how poor of a record Spurs have had at their adopted home. Since the new Wembley stadium opened in 2007 Spurs have won just two out of a possible ten games played at the national stadium, with just one win there this season during their European run. When you compare that to Tottenham's home record this season, you can see why this may be a huge issue which has been overlooked by the men making the decision. Spurs are currently battling for the title, and they have done this by turning White Hart Lane into a fortress, not losing a single game there in all competitions this season, their only home defeats coming when playing at Wembley. This home record has been paramount in Spurs putting up a serious challenge for the title this season, and it goes back even further then that. After losing at home on the opening game of the 2015/2016 season Mauricio Pochettino's side went undefeated at home throughout the remainder of the campaign, and much like this season their home form helped build towards a very impressive run. With the majority of points won by Spurs over the last two seasons coming from home games, and with next season shaping up to be potentially massive for the club, is it smart to move into a stadium which has seen such poor performances from Spurs during the last decade?

Now this point has less to do with Spurs and more to do with the sides that will have to visit Wembley throughout the season to face them. With Wembley still set to be used to host the EFL Cup final, as well as the FA Cup final and Semi-Finals, is it fair for Tottenham to be playing these massive games at home, should they reach them? Wembley is supposed to be a massive day out for both the club and the fans, and playing in front of 90,000 people instead of the smaller grounds around the country is a test in itself. Which poses the question, is it entirely fair for Spurs to have an entire season's experience playing in front of that crowd in potential preparation for a huge cup tie towards the end of the season? As well is it being unfair to opposing sides, you have to ask yourself, is it right for any side other then England to call Wembley home? As previously mentioned playing at the national stadium is effectively a reward for a very successful cup run, and playing on neutral ground ensures no advantages going to either side during the 90 minutes. For players, the chance to play in the iconic ground is a career highlight, either with their club or after being called up to the national team. With Spurs however becoming an official tenant of the stadium for the next year, will it lose a bit of that sense of occasion a trip to the home of English football has, as every Premier League side is guaranteed to visit Wembley in the next twelve months, regardless of performance of success on the field.

West Ham United. Coming out of the 2015/2016 Premier League season the Hammers were incredibly optimistic about the upcoming campaign, after a very impressive 2014/2015 season and an upcoming move to the Olympic Stadium, renamed simply the London Stadium. On paper this seemed like a brilliant move for all parties, the board and owners got a great deal for the stadium, there are more seats and therefore more fans can see their side play week after week, and the players get the chance to play in a truly incredible stadium, one which, if the previous season was any indication, could be home to some big moments in the coming years. However this couldn't be further from reality. This season West ham have won just 6 games at home in the league, and the performances at home as a whole have been incredibly poor when compared to when they played their home games at Upton Park. Not only have the players struggled to perform at the new ground, the fans have also found the move tough. With a huge running track separating the fans from the action, the drop in atmosphere from last season has been huge, and you wouldn't be surprised if that was a major factor in the poor performances of the players. Despite the incredible facilities and opportunities West Ham now have at their disposal, the majority of true fans and I'm sure even a number of players would have, in hindsight, preferred to have remained at Upton park. The could be a problem Spurs will have to face next season, Wembley might be incredible, but it isn't Tottenham's home. Will the fans be able to provide the same atmosphere in a vastly bigger venue? Will the players settle in and feel at home? Or will they, like West Ham have this season, struggle to turn their new home into the fortress their previous ground had become.

You have to wonder if, when making the decision on their immediate home, the board of the North London club took any of the factors I have just mentioned into consideration. If recent history has anything to tell, it's that moving into a shiny new stadium may be great on paper, but when the whistle blows it is a very different animal. As well as this, was the FA's decision to even make this a possibility ever second guessed, and if not why? Surely I can not be the only one who feels the home of English football, of the oldest federation in WORLD football should be treated as something special and not just the home ground for a local club. We'll see over the next twelve months if Spurs handle the move well, and it might even be a great thing for English football, giving many more people the chance to visit Wembley! And then they can do it the year after as well... and the next two after that... When Chelsea move in for three years starting at the end of Tottenham's tenure. Great.

The Title Race - Can Spurs catch champions elect Chelsea?

Since Liverpool's January from hell it has been common knowledge that Chelsea have been odds on to be crowned Premier League champions this upcoming May. With Hazard finding his best form again, Kante proving to be the signing of the season for the second year running and a defensive unit looking unbreakable at times the title has been Chelsea's to lose. Coming into April Chelsea had a comfortable 11 point advantage over closest challengers Spurs and looked to be strolling to the title. 16 days later however the title race could be back on. After a 2-1 home defeat to Crystal Palace and a convincing 2-0 defeat at Old Trafford against Manchester United, lead by former manager Jose Mourinho, Mauricio Pochettinio's Spurs side are breathing down the neck of the league leaders. Suffering only one defeat in their last 17 league games it looks like the side from White Hart Lane will not only finally finish ahead of North London rivals Arsenal but their form could be causing Chelsea to have to look over their shoulder.

One thing Chelsea can be happy about is their remaining league games. Minus a tricky away trip to Goodison Park and the home of the league's top scorer Lukaku, Chelsea's run in shouldn't be causing fans to cash out on their bets to win the title too soon. When compared to the run in for Spurs, who have still got the North London derby against Arsenal to play as well as an away trip to the champions Leicester City and welcoming Manchester United to White Hart Lane, Chelsea can rest easy knowing the fixtures have been much more kind to them. However this run of games won't faze Spurs, who have hit such a rich vain of form they will feel like they can take on anyone. With Harry Kane once again hitting over 20 goals this season and Dele Ali continuing to prove he is one of the stand out young talents in Europe, they have more than enough fire power to cause problems for anyone going forward. And then when you look at the defence you realise how well built this side is. Spurs have the best defensive record in the league, conceding only 22 goals so far this term, 5 less then Chelsea, and even if their defence is ever found wanting, with Hugo Lloris between the sticks a goal is never a guarantee. 

Coming off the back of their second defeat in four games against Jose's United side, Conte and his team will be hoping none of their upcoming opponents were watching the way Ander Herrera man marked Eden Hazard out of the game. The Belgian attacker has been on fire this season, with 14 goals and 5 assists in the league this season he really has rediscovered his PFA Player of the Season winning form from two years ago. However on Sunday he didn't get a sniff, with the Spanish midfielder Herrera keeping him well and truly in his back pocket throughout. This method of man marking the tricky winger is one we haven't really seen adopted this season by many sides and possibly Jose's tactics this weekend could convince a few of the sides in Chelsea's run in to attempt a similar system to nullify the number 10.

Diego Costa is another big name who had re-found his form from Chelsea's title winning side of two years ago and he came flying out the blocks this season with 5 goals in his first 5 Premier League games this season. However before Chelsea started to stutter in recent weeks, the Brazilian born Spanish national team striker, has looked a lot closer to the man who was only a shadow of his former self last season. With no goals in his last 6 league games on only four in the entirety of 2017 so far, that is not the form of a striker leading his side to a league title. One of Costa's main criticisms has always been his temper and his tendency to get involved physically with opposing defenders. This vice was ever present lasts season and it seems to have reared it's head again during this poor run of form. With four yellow cards since his last league goal, the striker has been more of a danger then a help for the side lead by Antonio Conte. When compared to the talisman for challengers Spurs, in Harry Kane, Costa really is struggling. Kane has scored 12 league goals so far in 2017, triple what Costa has hit and that is with the English striker missing several games with an ankles injury. Harry Kane has scored more than 20 goals for the third successive season, becoming only the fourth player in the Premier League era to do so and the Englishman really is firing his side back in contention for the title. 

The FA Cup has undergone a rejuvenation this season and the semi finals are coming up, where the top two sides in the Premier League will meet at Wembley for a spot in the final. With Chelsea vs Spurs in the FA Cup being the first game for Chelsea since their humbling against United, should they now lose to their closest rivals who knows what damage that will cause mentally to Conte's men and on the flip side, the confidence coming from a potential win against the side their trying to catch in the race for the title could be huge for Tottenham and could be the final push needed to secure maximum point from their final 6 league games. 

A month ago the title race was all but over, and most people had declared Chelsea champions, including me. However if we have learnt nothing else from the Premier League over the years, it's never over until the final whistle is blown. Manchester United, Liverpool, Newcastle United and a host of other sides have all been guilty of throwing away the title when they looked all but guaranteed to win it. Could Chelsea be the next? The current leaders had looked so well drilled and professional coming into the final stretch of the season anyone else being crowned champions had been written off, however with only four points separating the two sides at the top, the Premier League trophy could still have a new first time home in the form of White Hart Lane.

Hooliganism - Why do English football fans continue to embarrass themselves?

During the 2016 European Championships in France the one thing more embarrassing for England than the performances on the pitch was the actions of the travelling fans off of it. Violent out bursts occurred frequently during the tournament with dozens of arrests made particularly after the opening game vs Russia. Similar scenes took place this week when England's solitary side left in the Champions League, Leicester City, travelled to Madrid.

Four thousand plus fans of the English champions followed their side to the Spanish capital to witness their sides incredible run in Europe's elite competition but it appears that the game was the last thing on the minds of many of the fans. A minority of the group managed to embarrass themselves with an extremely inappropriate rendition of 'German bombers' less than 24 hours after the Dortmund team bus was attacked before their first-leg tie against Monaco. As well as screaming 'You Spanish b******s Gibraltar is ours' at the top of their lungs. All of this appears satire when compared to the fights breaking out with Spanish riot police, with many videos appearing on social media of beer bottles and other dangerous objects being thrown in the direction of the police who were drastically outnumbered by the English fans.

Eight Leicester fans were arrested for public disorder and vandalism a police spokesperson confirmed and have since been given a four month suspended sentence following their actions. A group of 70 hooligans gathered in the Plaza Mayor, a common spot for travelling fans in Madrid, and when the police approached, these 'fans' started attacking the Spaniards seemingly unprovoked, one video capturing a member of the group throwing a concrete cafe table in the direction of the riot police, he like many others appeared to be strongly under the influence. All of the fans held by police had been drinking heavily the court heard. Three officers and two Leicester fans were treated for cuts and bruises on the ground but luckily no one was taken to hospital.

What is perhaps worse than the actions of the fans is the image that is being portrayed to the rest of the world. English fans in the future will complain when they can't travel to follow their team without interruption of the authorities but it is all down to a reputation built up by a group of idiots who continue to give English football fans a bad name. The incredible lack of respect shown by the Leicester fans to the locals in Madrid is far too similar to that of the England fans in France during last years competition. Their are idiots in every walk of life and it is always a minority of people, much like it is here. But what it is doing is painting every English fan as a hooligan, as a threat and as a person you do not want visiting your country. Due to the actions of a select few idiots English fans can no longer travel in numbers to anywhere in Europe without being under the constant watchful eye of the local authorities and rightfully so to maintain peace and safety for the local people.

The difference between the Leicester fans and the Monaco/Dortmund fans on Tuesday night is laughable. During a time of peril and with numbers of fans stranded and people scared for their lives the fans on the German and French clubs came together to show the world they were not afraid, they stood united and helped each other out in every way they could. Commendable. Where as the Leicester fans spent the same evening chanting racial slurs at the locals, inappropriate comments regarding the war and Gibraltar as well as of course engaging in a drunken fight with the local police which lead to the trip being cut short for a select group of these 'fans' that due to the amount of alcohol consumed might not even be able to remember their stupid actions. Embarrassing.

I would like to stress that these actions were carried out by a minority of the Leicester fans in Madrid. Not every fan of the English champions wants to travel abroad simply to start fights and to give English fans a bad name. The select few that do however travel with this intentions might not have the same attitude towards it when their actions lead to the abroad 'away day' experience being drastically changed due to increasing numbers of these incidents taking place when English hooligans travel abroad.

The actions that took place the night before the game will be what's remembered in a years time. And with the home side beating Leicester 1-0 it could be seen as justice for the locals who were caught up in the horrendous scenes in the city centre.

Champions League Quarter Final Predictions: Who will progress to the final four?

Barcelona, Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid, Dortmund, Monaco, Leicester City, Bayern Munich and Juventus. The quarter finals of the 2016/2017 Champion League season sees a lot of the same sides we're accustomed to seeing at this stage, as well as one or two shocks. I am going to go over each of the four ties and predict this seasons final four!

Game one: Bayern Munich vs Real Madrid.

Between these two sides are 16 European cups. They have competed in 24 finals. And have won 3 of the last 4 competitions. This is what the Champions League is all about, two heavyweights from different countries colliding to see who is the better side! In 2014 Real Madrid completed La Decima, and knocked out Bayern Munich 4-0 on aggregate on their way to the final so the German side will be out for revenge! The German champions are currently flying in Europe after a 10-2 aggregate humiliation of Arsenal in the round of 16. Bayern are also currently 13 points clear at the top of the Bundesliga and look set to walk to another title. Where as Real only have a two point cushion over Barcelona in their battle to reclaim the league title. This could give the German side a huge advantage going into the tie against Real Madrid, as they have the opportunity to rest certain key players during league games, knowing the title is all but secured! On the other hand, Madrid can't afford to drop many points if they want to win the title, and therefore must play their strongest side week in, week out to ensure that fact. During these matches anything could happen, injuries, key players could become fatigued or struggle to maintain full fitness then it comes time to face Real Madrid. In terms of pure star power this tie will attract more intrigue then almost any other, and rightfully so. Two of Europe's elite, only one winner. I think that, on Tuesday 18th April, Real's goal to become the first team in the Champions League era to retain the European cup will come to an end. Bayern Munich will get their revenge for 2014 and progress to the semi-finals.

Game two: Barcelona vs Juventus.

For the first time since the 2015 Champions League final these two sides face off in the tie which will challenge Bayern vs Madrid for the biggest attraction of the quarter finals. Since Paul Pogba's exit in the summer, Juventus has found a new talisman in the form of Argentine Paulo Dybala, and has got the eyes of the entire world on him! The young attacker has adopted a more creative role in the side with club record signing Gonzalo Higuain occupying the position of top scorer and he has taken to it like second nature. The comparisons drawn between him and national team mate Lionel Messi has been more evident then ever this season and compliments don't come much bigger then that for a young attacker! As for Barcelona, they must still be in shock after their incredible comeback to knock out PSG in the round of 16. Sergi Roberto's late late volley ensured that the 5 time champions stayed in the competition and despite a lot of controversy coming from the referee's decision making during the game at the Nou Camp, it will go down as one of the great comebacks in European football history. With Lionel Messi, Neymar and Luis Suarez leading the line Barcelona can beat any side in world football, and with the added grit and determination coming from their incredible comeback last time out I can see history repeating itself and Barcelona proving to be too good for their Italian opposition.

Game three: Dortmund vs Monaco.

The highest scoring team in Europe's top five divisions against the highest scoring team in this years Champions league. This year is likely to be the best opportunity either of these teams will have for the foreseeable future to achieve European glory with a lot of the bigger European sides sniffing around at their top players. Monaco came through an incredible round of 16 tie against Manchester City, coming back from a 5-3 deficit after the first leg to win 3-1 at home and to seal their place in the quarter final. Kilian Mbappe scored a brace in the second leg against Man City and has stood out as one of the most promising young players in Europe this season, a repeat performance from him could be a big factor in Monaco reaching the Semi-finals. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has scored an incredible 34 goals in 37 games in all competitions this season and with 7 in 6 champions league games so far he will be a definite factor in the tie! 19 year old Ousmane Dembele has shot to provenance this year and will challenge Mbappe as the most impressive youngster in this seasons competition, whichever one of the two live up to expectations the most could push their side towards the next round. In the battle between two of the hottest attacks in Europe it is game with guaranteed goals, when 180 minutes plus of football has passed I think Monaco will be the solo French side in the semi-finals.

Game four: Atletico Madrid vs Leicester City. 

Diego Simeone might be one of the most unlucky managers in the world, but he is almost certainly one of the best! His Atletico side have twice in the last three years been within seconds of winning the Champions League only to have it snatched away from them at the death, this year they won't be taking any chances. Antoine Griezmann is the latest in a long line of Atleti strikers who are considered one of the best in the world, and with over 20 goals this season he is backing up his third place finish in 2016's Ballon D'or. The Frenchman is rumoured to be on his way to England in the coming transfer window so this really could be his last chance to make up for his penalty miss in last seasons final. Leicester City continue to cause shock after shock and their appearance in this stage of the competition is worth plaudits in itself. Craig Shakespeare seems to have rediscovered the form Claudio Ranieri dragged out of the foxes on their way to the Premier League title last season and by knocking out Sevilla in the round of 16 the English champions have shown they can compete with the biggest and brightest. Whatever your opinion on Leicester City with all that has been going on this season in the midlands you have to applaud their performance in Europe this season, however despite avoiding the likes of Barcelona and Bayern Munich in the draw again I feel Atletico could be the worst draw Leicester could have gotten. You can say with certainty that Simeone will set up his side to counter Leicester's style of play where as many of Europe's elite may have just attempted to play their own game, which in turn plays right into Leicester's hands. And with how much success the Madrid club seem to have in games such as this one, Leicester could be out of their depth at last. I think that it will be Atletico representing Madrid in this years final four of the Champions League.

Prediction for the Semi-Finals of the 2016/2017 Champions League;
Bayern Munich, Barcelona, Monaco, Atletico Madrid.