IT'S CARR TOO CUSHY FOR RIVALS

STEPHEN SAYS SPURS' NEW HOME NO FORTRESS

- BY MARK MCCADDEN

STEPHEN Carr has a theory when it comes to Tottenham's poor home form this season.

He reckons their new stadium is far too inviting for opposing teams - and that it lacks the intimidation factor that was there during his time as a Spurs player at their old White Hart Lane ground.

The north London club moved into their new home in April 2019 and kicked off with a 2-0 win against Crystal Palace.

The following season they won 12 of their 19 games there, but in 2020/21 they picked up just 10 wins - two more than they did that year on the road.

Last year, however, marked a steep decline as they won just six and lost 10 of their home games in the Premier League.

And this year, they have picked up almost double the number of points in their seven away games to date (14) compared to the eight they have secured in eight home games.

Carr, who spent 11 seasons at Spurs, reckons rival teams have become far too comfortable at the state of the art 63,000-seater arena, the third largest stadium in England.

Asked what has gone wrong with Spurs over the past season and a half, the Dubliner replied: "I don't know, to be honest. It's been happening for a while.

(Ange Postecoglou) brought a major European trophy to the club, but in the league they were very, very poor.

"If things weren't so bad below them, Spurs and Man United would have been in a little scrap, to be honest. The pressure would have been on.