Newcastle are as big a club as Spurs, according to Sun reporter Neil Custis, who claims it is merely their location outside London that is the difference.
His comment on Twitter has certainly caused a stir among fans, with some agreeing with his claim, while others are completely at odds with it.
He also compared Tottenham to Sunderland, Aston Villa and Wolves, as well as the Magpies.
It is not so long ago that Spurs were nowhere near a side capable of making it to the Champions League at all, let alone reach the final of it, and yet they now sack the best manager they have had for years, because they are in grave danger of missing out on it next season.
It is a bold claim from Custis, but should not be dismissed too quickly, as in terms of fan-base, he is not too wide of the mark.
Certainly the vision of Daniel Levy is the major difference to why Tottenham are now perennial title challengers and European qualifiers – taking this season’s start as an outlier – and Newcastle fight to stave off relegation seemingly every season.
Location does have an effect despite regardless of size of club
There is also little doubt that being a London club has advantages over their more northern counterparts, particularly if that northern location is on the east coast rather than the west.
They are seen by big corporations as more commercially viable, thus meaning any sponsorship deals and partnerships are deemed far more attractive at Tottenham than at Newcastle.
Players too, are dazzled by the bright lights of one of the world’s great cities. They all know of England’s capital city, and what it has to offer.
They are not so familiar with one of the country’s best city’s that has so much to offer, and yet – quite often – so little exposure.
But fans are certainly divided over his claims, and were quick to react to them on Twitter.
Here are a few of those replies:
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