Aaron Lennon believes the Blues need to work hard to preserve a strong atmosphere when they move to their new stadium
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Rail seating in the South Stand at Everton Stadium
Rail seating in the South Stand at Everton Stadium(Image: Tony McArdle/Everton FC Official Photography Library/SmartFrame)
Everton need to be wary of one big factor when moving to their new stadium - the atmosphere. That's according to the club's former winger Aaron Lennon.
The Blues are currently in their last season at Goodison Park, after which they will make the move to their new home on the banks of the River Mersey.
With the stadium taking shape, excitement is naturally building ahead of the big relocation at the end of the campaign. Speaking to talkSPORT, Lennon said the move could represent a huge opportunity for the club, but that preserving the atmosphere from Goodison at the new venue will be a test.
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"I think they'll miss it," he said. "You've seen it when teams do move to these so-called 'new' stadiums, the bigger stadiums – is the atmosphere the same?
"The other clubs are coming, going 'look at this big fancy stadium', whereas some clubs go to Goodison now and they don't feel that.
"Tight dressing rooms, tight tunnel, tight little pitch – it's a difficult place to go, and you go to these new stadiums and I don't think it has that same intimidating factor."
While the concerns of Lennon - who played 77 times and scored nine goals for the Blues - are understandable, Everton have taken steps to ensure the atmosphere will be as intimidating as possible at the Bramley-Moore site.
The stands are close to the pitch and steep-sided, while the South Stand behind the goal was inspired by the Yellow Wall at Borussia Dortmund, one of the most fervent stands in European football.