Danny Rose has said it is no longer an honour to play at Wembley for Tottenham after less than 35,000 fans watched Wednesday’s victory over Southampton.
Spurs ran out 3-1 winners thanks to goals from Harry Kane, Lucas Moura and Heung-Min Son, but the official attendance was just 33,017, meaning there were 57,000 empty seats at the national stadium.
It was the lowest attendance Tottenham have mustered since they began to play at Wembley, where an unknown number of future games will take place before the club’s move to their new White Hart lane-based home.
And Rose can’t wait until the team is playing in front of a packed house again.
“It’s just not nice anymore,” the left-back said (via ESPN). “I don’t feel it’s an honour to play at Wembley anymore. We’re all itching to get in the new stadium and hopefully it’s not too much longer.
“The atmosphere’s a bit flat. Obviously I sympathise with the fans, travelling a bit further to come to Wembley. It’s the lowest attendance since we’ve been at Wembley and that speaks volumes.
“We’re disappointed it’s taken longer than expected but we know everybody’s putting in the hours to make sure the [new] stadium’s as good as possible.”
Rose was making his first start since returning from a groin injury and it showed. The defender looked sluggish at times, particularly when Southampton improved in the second half.
Mauricio Pochettino must now decide whether Rose will keep his place for Saturday’s trip to Leicester City or be rested for next week’s hugely important Champions League clash with Barcelona.
We’d like to see Rose play against Barcelona, so Davies should start at Leicester.
Spurs are on their way to Wembley,
All the players think it’s a pain.
We can’t help ’em, the boys from Tottenham,
’til we all get back to the Lane.
Oh Spurs are on their way to Wembley,
Danny Rose is having a moan,
everybody will keep crying,
until the club moves in back home!