Tottenham development slammed as ‘absolutely pointless’ attack emerges
Paul Robinson has slammed the Tottenham post-season tour of Australia after Ange Postecoglou’s squad jetted out just hours after the Premier League season concluded.
Spurs have already played their first game of the tour, facing Newcastle United in a 1-1 draw at Melbourne Cricket Ground, losing on penalties, with matches against Vissel Kobe and Bayern Munich lined up.
While Robinson – speaking exclusively to Tottenham News – understands the financial benefits of the tour, he is more concerned with the players’ welfare and the “meaningless” nature of the friendlies.
“There are two ways of looking at this Tottenham trip. As a player, you hated it. I was lucky that I got away with not going as the times when my clubs were going on post-season tours, I had international duty,” he said.
“It’s the last thing the players would want; they would absolutely hate it. Having just finished the season, they’ve had to fly to the other side of the world to play a completely meaningless game, absolutely pointless, against a set of players who are feeling exactly the same way.
“They could be away on holiday after a long, gruelling season, also with the European Championships on the horizon as well. It is the last thing they would have wanted to do.
I’ve seen players in the past trying to pull out of them, and the club have said that the players are contracted. Either the players do a U-turn and go, or have been fined for not going. It’s a real bug-bearer for players. The only thing they can gain is fatigue and potential injury.
“The flip side, however, is the revenue that the club will get from a Premier League match in Australia, actually taking the game to the fans who can’t travel. I got to see it first-hand. 70,000 people saw the game and the relationship between the club and the supporters.
“I completely understand why the club does it. But from a player’s point of view, you didn’t enjoy doing it. It’s just a pointless game.”
Tottenham continue post-season tour after Newcastle United defeat
Football is certainly turning more into a business, rather than just a sport, and Daniel Levy is the master of being able to create funds through different business adventures.
This is not something that can be knocked from the Tottenham owner, who continues to build wealth and funds through various avenues, and has every right to do so.
However, Robinson is right with the points he raises. While it does allow fans to get closer to the club, players will not be playing to their true potential in a friendly right after the season ends.
In other Tottenham news, the club have made a “big statement” after agreeing a new contract in North London.
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