Masterstoke or madness?

Tottenham have confirmed that the club will play an end-of-season friendly fixture in Australia, with the team facing Sydney FC on Saturday, May 30.

Spurs will be the first Premier League side to play in the iconic Australian city since Everton and Blackburn in 2010.

Interestingly, the fixture is scheduled only six days after the final Premier League game of the season away to Everton.

The Guardian also report that Tottenham have agreed to take a full-strength contingent Down Under, with the likes of Harry Kane, Christian Eriksen and Hugo Lloris all set to make the trip.

Mauricio Pochettino said it was an excellent way of rewarding the club’s Australian followers.

“We are looking forward to visiting Sydney and giving our fans in that part of the world an opportunity to see the team up close.

“We all appreciate the fantastic support we receive across the world and the commitment that people in different time zones make to watch games live on TV so, to bring the team to them, is a great way to say thank you.”

Given that there are both pros and cons to the decision, will the trip turn out to be a masterclass or madness?

Pros

There is no doubt that football is growing in Australia and continues to rival traditional sports in the country.

As such, the trip to Sydney has the potential to significantly increase the club’s fanbase while also generating revenue at the end of the season.

With A-League football on the rise it could well be an opportunity to strength ties with one of Australia’s main clubs and expand the Tottenham brand further.

Cons

Spurs have played more games this season than any other Premier League club due to Europa League commitments and progressing through to the final of the Capital One Cup.

Another fixture, which will essentially be viewed as meaningless by the players, will not be a popular decision amongst the club’s stars and risks potential injuries being picked up.

With Harry Kane potentially playing for England under-21’s in the European Championships this summer, our main striker could do without the trip to Australia and could risk burning out with the sheer number of games he is being forced to play.

Verdict

There is no doubting that playing in Australia can expand the Spurs brand, increase supporter numbers and make money for the club.

But, with most clubs looking to build links abroad in pre-season, the decision to play the game at the end of the Premier League campaign is slightly baffling.

It is a classic risk vs reward scenario and once again the club’s moneymen appear to have put financial priorities at the top of their list.

 

You are over thinking it, it is neither

 

So Poch doesn't want kane to play in the summer for the under 21's but is happy to take him round the world to play in a pointless friendly?
I doubt poch has a say but it is a joke. We should not be playing the friendly full stop.
Another example of ENIC and Daniel levy being all about the plc and naff all about the FC. Utter nonsense.

 

Sounds like an end of season jolly boys outing to me ! Sydney is a fantastic place to visit, wonder if the wags are going too ? Coys.

 

At the end of the season the only plausible reason for travelling to the other side of the planet is to drop Adebayor off in the hope he never returns.

 

It is utterly pointless and a waste of resources and players energy.

 

Well for us over here in sunny OZ its a fantastic event and I for one am over the ****ing moon to finally be able to see my beloved team on these shores for the first time and im ok with the fact that its a bit of a end of season jolly for the lads and why not, Sydney is a great city.
Spurs have fantastic support in Australia and I appreciate Mouricio's comments about thanking our fans and for the sleepless nights staying up till 4am regularly and then with 2 hours kip before being off to work.
For all those who think its a waste of time, well that's your problem and if I say what I really think ill just get deleted anyway so instead ill just say please don't get your knickers in a twist its one more game and a great way for the lads to finish off a hard season, better at the end of season while still match fit and then a well deserved break for some. This isn't a particularly high risk for injury game, some on here moan constantly that we don't play full strength every game even if it means sending them to the far reaches of eastern Europe to play on the worlds worst pitches on a Thursday then having them back for a Sunday league game ? We've had the least amount of injuries this year that I can ever remember, I think someone at the club knows what they are doing.
Brilliant result for us here in OZ, cant wait, tickets on sale Monday. The only thing that POCH said that I might disagree with is " an opportunity to see the team up close" Poch obviously hasn't been to ANZ stadium, don't get seats in the back/top tier unless you take your binoculars.
Best news in years COYMS in AUSTRALIA.

 

Sydney is indeed a fantastic city and might I say that as far as local talent goes, "our land abound in natures gifts of beauty rich and rare" so some of the WAGS might want to tag along for the ride. I just wish it was in Melbourne so I wouldn't have to travel so far.