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Ardiles

whitechina

Well-Known Member
Dec 27, 2012
4,225
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The thing I remember the most about Ossie was in the warm-up. He always did that trick where he flicked the ball over his head from behind him. The cheer was always one of the loudest except if we scored!
Many tried to copy him- but no one had his grace.
 

cabinfever

Cabinfever's blue and white army
May 14, 2004
1,931
2,013
There are a couple of fantastic podcast interviews, with him, by Graham Hunter. A very intelligent, thoughtful individual who tells a fascinating story of his life and football. It’s a two part podcast below.

hope you enjoy as much as I did!!! I’ll be interested to hear what people think.


 

Mr.D

Old Member
Dec 2, 2014
4,262
7,876
He was player of the tournament of 1978 World Cup, and Kempes the star he was. When we signed him, it would of been equivalent at the time to us signing a massive major star of passing World Cups. Then to throw in Ricky Villa, who most of us thought was a thug, ended up bring a sublime player himself, though inconsistent.

To even compare him to Scott Parker from a point of tenacity, I can see why that comparison. Modric I understand, but then again Modric I can’t recall lighting up a WC the way Ardiles did. Plus he was coming as a WC winner. The ticker tape home debut against Villa at home was something else. And I was at Nottingham Forest for their debut, where we drew 1-1. The arrival of him and Ricky changed English football, and Hoddle excelled when Ossie arrived. I call him a cheeky, nippy, skilful, sublime, gracious, tenacious brilliance.

So was I. Didn't see a kick. I was 9 years old and my parents let me go with 4 customers from their pub. What were they thinking.
 

Gilzean at the near post

Well-Known Member
Aug 31, 2012
428
1,158
For the older ones amongst us, how good was he? And who would be a comparable player currently playing now?
In his 1st 2 seasons he played more of an attacking role than later on. He could see the play and would burst past his marker creating space for give and goes. He was always available for a pass. He was stylish, skillful, graceful and tenacious with great ball control. He would rarely lose the ball and if he did would often get a free kick. Prior to him arriving in England I don't recall a player like him. He was small and light of foot. Unfortunately his later Spurs career was disrupted by injury and he tended to play deeper.
 

chinaman

Well-Known Member
Jul 19, 2003
17,974
12,423
At one time after his retirement, he was supposed to be studying law. Whatever happened? Did he really do it?
 

BringBack_leGin

Well-Known Member
Jul 28, 2004
27,719
54,929
He was player of the tournament of 1978 World Cup, and made Kempes the star he was. When we signed him, it would of been equivalent at the time to us signing a massive major star of passing World Cups. Then to throw in Ricky Villa, who most of us thought was a thug, ended up being a sublime player himself, though inconsistent.

To even compare him to Scott Parker from a point of tenacity, I can see why that comparison. Modric I understand, but then again Modric I can’t recall lighting up a WC the way Ardiles did. Plus he was coming as a WC winner. The ticker tape home debut against Villa at home was something else. And I was at Nottingham Forest for their debut, where we drew 1-1. The arrival of him and Ricky changed English football, and Hoddle excelled when Ossie arrived. I call him a cheeky, nippy, skilful, sublime, gracious, tenacious brilliance.
Didn’t Modric win player of the tournament at the last World Cup, and was in the Euro 2008 team of the tournament at just 22?
 

Marty

Audere est farce
Mar 10, 2005
39,885
62,562
Didn’t Modric win player of the tournament at the last World Cup?
Yeah that's a really odd comment in a post that otherwise makes a lot of sense.

Modric was Player Of The Tournament and Balon d'Or winner for 2018, it's very wrong to say he didn't light up a World Cup.
 

BringBack_leGin

Well-Known Member
Jul 28, 2004
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Yeah that's a really odd comment in a post that otherwise makes a lot of sense.
I agree with the sentiment of his post, and much of my football education as a child was the brilliance of Ardiles (and generally our stars of the 80s), I just never understand the need on this site to build up one player by putting down another. Why not be grateful for every wonderful individual to play for us?
 

Hercules

Well-Known Member
Jul 23, 2014
5,694
156,565
Didn’t Modric win player of the tournament at the last World Cup, and was in the Euro 2008 team of the tournament at just 22?
I cannot see how my argument can be challenged. Yes modric voted ‘Player of the tournament ‘at just 22’. I remember that well. But anyone that watched the WC in 1978, cannot argue on the impact Ardiles has from Argentina’s first game, who tgr opponents was I can’t remember. I do remember everyone saying Daniel Passarella who was their captain, was their key player. We were told to watch out for a certain Mario Kempes, who most had not seen. But by the finals against Netherlands, everyone was talking about two players (Kempes and Ardiles). With everyone wishing they could sign Ardiles, who was 25 at the time.

Then we hear the news we just signed him and Ricky Villa. Ardiles had a bigger impact on us than Modric did. Ardiles won two FA cups with us. Though in 1982 against QPR, he didn’t play in the final, due to arrangement to return to Argentina at the time. But without him prior we would not of got to the final. He returned and also won the UEFA Cup with us. Hence, no compare!
 

TheChosenOne

A dislike or neg rep = fat fingers
Dec 13, 2005
47,874
49,706
I cannot see how my argument can be challenged. Yes modric voted ‘Player of the tournament ‘at just 22’. I remember that well. But anyone that watched the WC in 1978, cannot argue on the impact Ardiles has from Argentina’s first game, who tgr opponents was I can’t remember. I do remember everyone saying Daniel Passarella who was their captain, was their key player. We were told to watch out for a certain Mario Kempes, who most had not seen. But by the finals against Netherlands, everyone was talking about two players (Kempes and Ardiles). With everyone wishing they could sign Ardiles, who was 25 at the time.

Then we hear the news we just signed him and Ricky Villa. Ardiles had a bigger impact on us than Modric did. Ardiles won two FA cups with us. Though in 1982 against QPR, he didn’t play in the final, due to arrangement to return to Argentina at the time. But without him prior we would not of got to the final. He returned and also won the UEFA Cup with us. Hence, no compare!

At the 81 Cup final there was a flag/banner saying something along the lines - "You can have the Malvinas, we are keeping Ossie Ardiles" not many knew what that meant but a year later the Falklands War was in full flow hence anger towards Argentina.

On a footballing note I'd compare Ossie to Modric. Skills and brains in abundance, he also has that edge to his game - the Latin temperament - he could be a little bit sneaky too.

He is on Twitter quite often- he recently said that Stallone in Escape to Victory playing Captain Hatch in goal
had to do 34 takes to save the penalty at the end of the film.
 

Coyboy

The Double of 1961 is still The Double
Dec 3, 2004
15,506
5,032
I was born in 84 so too young to see him but I’ve got VHS of the 81/82 cup wins. I should try and find them, and then try to find a VCR!
 

BringBack_leGin

Well-Known Member
Jul 28, 2004
27,719
54,929
I cannot see how my argument can be challenged. Yes modric voted ‘Player of the tournament ‘at just 22’. I remember that well. But anyone that watched the WC in 1978, cannot argue on the impact Ardiles has from Argentina’s first game, who tgr opponents was I can’t remember. I do remember everyone saying Daniel Passarella who was their captain, was their key player. We were told to watch out for a certain Mario Kempes, who most had not seen. But by the finals against Netherlands, everyone was talking about two players (Kempes and Ardiles). With everyone wishing they could sign Ardiles, who was 25 at the time.

Then we hear the news we just signed him and Ricky Villa. Ardiles had a bigger impact on us than Modric did. Ardiles won two FA cups with us. Though in 1982 against QPR, he didn’t play in the final, due to arrangement to return to Argentina at the time. But without him prior we would not of got to the final. He returned and also won the UEFA Cup with us. Hence, no compare!
I mean, your argument can be challenged because you matter of fact said that Modric hadn’t lit up a World Cup. He had. That’s doesn’t mean he was as good as Ossie, but it does mean that you made a false statement. Just because Ossie has a bigger impact on us, which of course he did, doesn’t add any validity to your assertion that Modric didn’t light up a World Cup, because he did (and in a far worse side I might add than Argentina 78).
 

Hercules

Well-Known Member
Jul 23, 2014
5,694
156,565
I mean, your argument can be challenged because you matter of fact said that Modric hadn’t lit up a World Cup. He had. That’s doesn’t mean he was as good as Ossie, but it does mean that you made a false statement. Just because Ossie has a bigger impact on us, which of course he did, doesn’t add any validity to your assertion that Modric didn’t light up a World Cup, because he did (and in a far worse side I might add than Argentina 78).
I don’t want to get into a debate about this. You have your opinions, which I respect, and I have mine. My opinion they compare, but Ossie I rate better, and the impact he had for us during
 

rossdapep

Well-Known Member
Aug 25, 2011
21,906
78,643
The fact that you are debating whether Modric was as influential in a WC as Ardiles is reallt fascinating considering they both played for us.

Not many clubs get to say that. It's usually only Madrid and Barca who are afforded that royalty.

We've had some truly sublime players over the years.
 

Wheeler Dealer

Well-Known Member
Jul 29, 2011
6,863
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Could you imagine Ardiles, Hoddle, and Villa playing on today's pitches as opposed to the ploughed fields they had to encounter in the 80's
 

BringBack_leGin

Well-Known Member
Jul 28, 2004
27,719
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I don’t want to get into a debate about this. You have your opinions, which I respect, and I have mine. My opinion they compare, but Ossie I rate better, and the impact he had for us during
I haven’t given an opinion on how they compare as players. I didn’t see Ossie as I’m only 34 so I’m not fit to judge, but from old footage I prefer what I saw of Ossie as he had more vision and a lot less protection from referees. My only point is that is factually incorrect to say Modric hasn’t lit up a World Cup, because he has. Additionally, he was with us for longer, won several trophies with us and seems to have far more of an affection for us.
 

Hercules

Well-Known Member
Jul 23, 2014
5,694
156,565
I haven’t given an opinion on how they compare as players. I didn’t see Ossie as I’m only 34 so I’m not fit to judge, but from old footage I prefer what I saw of Ossie as he had more vision and a lot less protection from referees. My only point is that is factually incorrect to say Modric hasn’t lit up a World Cup, because he has. Additionally, he was with us for longer, won several trophies with us and seems to have far more of an affection for us.
I remember very well the 78 WC. I get your point, but anybody who watched that in 78, and followed all the matches. The influence he had on that team, who were not that great, and certainly were not favourites to win it at the time. It was thought if they got to the quarters, or semis, that would of been an achievement. He changed all that, and with his influence and impact Argentina won the WC. Modric (a great player) did not have that effect and impact in his WC stand outs, and yes he was exceptional, but not in my eyes anyway the same. Hence, why I said what I said as a ‘matter of fact’. Again, in my eyes anyway.
 

ralphs bald spot

Well-Known Member
Jul 14, 2015
2,777
5,177
He was a beautiful player he had poise, class, balance and was a tough little fucker one of the best tacklers I've ever seen he would nick the ball of people. He dovetailed beautifully with Hoddle whose longer passing was the opposite of Ossie's quick short passing game.

The comparison with Modric is fair both great players. Ossie though grew up when the game was physically tougher and arrived in England when foreign players were unknown and he received some right treatment in a lot of games .(Tommy Smith) .

The excitement that signing the two Argentinians was amazing at the time . Spurs had been poor side and to get players like Ardillles and Villa (who people believed would be the better signing as Os was to small to cope with English football) was a real statement and a huge risk, foreign players were unknown in England then, they literally blazed the way. The excitement going to Forest the ticker tape welcome it was great and Ossie just personified the time, a class act on and off the pitch.

There was a beautiful video of Ossie set to the tune of Running Man by Lindifsfarne that sticks in my mind .can't find it anywhere Also his testimonial match which was a full house with people turned away I know Maradona played but the love for the man that night shone through. The last memory of Os his coming on in the UEFA cup final and hitting the bar from about a yard out luckily Robo scored a few minutes later

Comparing players over different generations is always difficult Ossie and Modric were great players, one though has had a bigger impact on Tottenham
 
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