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Hoddle - A touch of genius (Sky)

shelfmonkey

Weird is different, different is interesting.
Mar 21, 2007
6,690
8,040
God I feel old! :)

Hoddle was the biggest influence on the way I played as a youngster. I absolutely idolised him and tried to play as he did.

Needless to say, I didn't make the grade.

It's interesting that Le Tissier is mentions here too. I trialled at Soton when I was 15, at my second trial, we got to train with and play against the Soton youth. I played CM, but in that trial they put me in at CH because of my height (I'm 6'4" now and over 6' then). I was up against this big nosed CF who ran rings around me all game. Turns out it was Le Tiss.

He was special, but they broke the mould after they made Hoddle. Even with sporadic England appearances, he was still rated in the top 5 midfielders in the World. Both Platini and Maradonna played at that time, I personally believe that only Maradonna topped him, and not by much either, as his skill set was more akin to Gazza's.

Totally unique, completely unappreciated by his country. The fact that the team wasn't built around him is probably the biggest travesty in English national Football.

Agree. The sad thing is, if he was playing today he'd still be unappreciated by England because of the FA's utter incompetent inability to hire a modern, forward thinking England manager, their prehistoric attitude to hiring football managers is a travesty!!
 

Ionman34

SC Supporter
Jun 1, 2011
7,182
16,793
Agree. The sad thing is, if he was playing today he'd still be unappreciated by England because of the FA's utter incompetent inability to hire a modern, forward thinking England manager, their prehistoric attitude to hiring football managers is a travesty!!

It is, but I feel that he'd be far more appreciated now by the press and general public. There would be so much pressure for him to play.


Plus Madrid would be claiming he was born to play for them.

If he went, he'd go for more than Bale.
 

shelfmonkey

Weird is different, different is interesting.
Mar 21, 2007
6,690
8,040
It is, but I feel that he'd be far more appreciated now by the press and general public. There would be so much pressure for him to play.


Plus Madrid would be claiming he was born to play for them.

If he went, he'd go for more than Bale.

He would be priceless!! Imagine, with todays fitness and diet regimes, systems of play, modern footballs, boots, bowling green pitches, JEEEEZUSSSS!! He would've been even better!! He really was born too early!! Ronaldo and Messi wouldn't be fit to lace his boots.
 

Shea

Well-Known Member
Apr 5, 2013
7,711
10,930
He would be priceless!! Imagine, with todays fitness and diet regimes, systems of play, modern footballs, boots, bowling green pitches, JEEEEZUSSSS!! He would've been even better!! He really was born too early!! Ronaldo and Messi wouldn't be fit to lace his boots.
He made reference to his fitness during his time at Monaco

it seems the French (and probably most of Europe) were way ahead of us in the sports science aspect of the game back then

He said they made him twice as fit at the age of 29/30 as he had ever been at 21 in England due to their advancements in that side of the game

Imagine what a player he'd have been had Spurs applied those methods to him at the start of his career

I wish I had seen him play live, I am sure much is lost in translation watching old spurs videos and youtube clips but I can still see he was a genius and a legend of our club who has been somewhat lost in books of the games history when (without Spurs bias) I feel he should be held in the same esteem as the true greats of our game
 

shelfmonkey

Weird is different, different is interesting.
Mar 21, 2007
6,690
8,040
He made reference to his fitness during his time at Monaco

it seems the French (and probably most of Europe) were way ahead of us in the sports science aspect of the game back then

He said they made him twice as fit at the age of 29/30 as he had ever been at 21 in England due to their advancements in that side of the game

Imagine what a player he'd have been had Spurs applied those methods to him at the start of his career

I wish I had seen him play live, I am sure much is lost in translation watching old spurs videos and youtube clips but I can still see he was a genius and a legend of our club who has been somewhat lost in books of the games history when (without Spurs bias) I feel he should be held in the same esteem as the true greats of our game

You're right, I'm a couple of years younger than the great man, so growing up watching him play live was, to be quite honest, indescribable, he was like nothing you've ever seen, as if aliens had perfected a human being to play football and dumped him on Spurs' doorstep!! Genius in the true sense of the word. These days the 'genius' tag is thrown about like confetti, it's ridiculous!!
 

spursbri111

Active Member
Aug 20, 2011
307
376
is there any way to buy this program . I dont have sky but hoddle was my idol as a kid (and now).
 
Last edited:

Ionman34

SC Supporter
Jun 1, 2011
7,182
16,793
You're right, I'm a couple of years younger than the great man, so growing up watching him play live was, to be quite honest, indescribable, he was like nothing you've ever seen, as if aliens had perfected a human being to play football and dumped him on Spurs' doorstep!! Genius in the true sense of the word. These days the 'genius' tag is thrown about like confetti, it's ridiculous!!
TBH, we do see our best memories through a golden glow. Hoddle had stinkers as well and games where he'd go missing. I remember the '81 cup final where he was really poor, nothing went his way that day until the deflected free kick that got us the replay. His range was off so he missed more passes than not.
Liverpool always seemed to find a way to stifle him, but their whole game plan was to kill the game of any creativity. You could guarantee that players like him and Ossie never left a game against them without a host of lumps and bruises as souvenirs.

I have no doubt though that, in today's game, he'd be rated as the most valuable player on the planet. In a creative sense he had everything. That is no exaggeration either, he really did have everything. He had a map in his head and knew where a player would be before he got there. His range of passing was second to none ... Ever. He didn't pass to feet, he put it where you were going, not where you were.
His balance was amazing for quite a tall guy, he could drift oast you with just a dip of a shoulder.
He could shoot with power and accuracy from any position with either foot.

He could head a ball too. You didn't see it often, as he was usually the guy providing the ball, but he knew how to head a ball. He was no Pele in the air mind.

There were other players who displayed similar skills, like Platini and Brady, but he was like a Swan amongst Geese. Where they were great, he was majestic.

It still angers me to this day that his genius was recognised by other nationalities more than by our own, other than us Spurs fans.

I live to see us win the title, as I've never witnessed it in my lifetime. But straight up, I'd be just as happy to see reincarnation of Hoddle grace the Lillywhite once more.
 

PT

North Stand behind Pat's goal.
Admin
May 21, 2004
25,468
2,408
I would like to think he has the renewed enthusiasm to manage at top level somewhere again and instil his playing beliefs on to a new generation.
 

Lighty64

I believe
Aug 24, 2010
10,400
12,476
I honestly feel it was our fought his religious beliefs where so strong

everything he did on a pitch, all he could ever here was "Oh God"

he was class, and kept us playing the Tottenham way, I doubt we will ever see a youngster again come through the ranks as we did with him. too many kids nowdays are too busy playing FIFA instead of being over a football field
 

chinaman

Well-Known Member
Jul 19, 2003
17,974
12,423
TBH, we do see our best memories through a golden glow. Hoddle had stinkers as well and games where he'd go missing. I remember the '81 cup final where he was really poor, nothing went his way that day until the deflected free kick that got us the replay. His range was off so he missed more passes than not.
Liverpool always seemed to find a way to stifle him, but their whole game plan was to kill the game of any creativity. You could guarantee that players like him and Ossie never left a game against them without a host of lumps and bruises as souvenirs.

I have no doubt though that, in today's game, he'd be rated as the most valuable player on the planet. In a creative sense he had everything. That is no exaggeration either, he really did have everything. He had a map in his head and knew where a player would be before he got there. His range of passing was second to none ... Ever. He didn't pass to feet, he put it where you were going, not where you were.
His balance was amazing for quite a tall guy, he could drift oast you with just a dip of a shoulder.
He could shoot with power and accuracy from any position with either foot.

He could head a ball too. You didn't see it often, as he was usually the guy providing the ball, but he knew how to head a ball. He was no Pele in the air mind.

There were other players who displayed similar skills, like Platini and Brady, but he was like a Swan amongst Geese. Where they were great, he was majestic.

It still angers me to this day that his genius was recognised by other nationalities more than by our own, other than us Spurs fans.

I live to see us win the title, as I've never witnessed it in my lifetime. But straight up, I'd be just as happy to see reincarnation of Hoddle grace the Lillywhite once more.


What a description: swan amongst geese.
 

poc

Well-Known Member
Aug 6, 2004
3,235
3,652
TBH, we do see our best memories through a golden glow. Hoddle had stinkers as well and games where he'd go missing. I remember the '81 cup final where he was really poor, nothing went his way that day until the deflected free kick that got us the replay. His range was off so he missed more passes than not.
Liverpool always seemed to find a way to stifle him, but their whole game plan was to kill the game of any creativity. You could guarantee that players like him and Ossie never left a game against them without a host of lumps and bruises as souvenirs.

I have no doubt though that, in today's game, he'd be rated as the most valuable player on the planet. In a creative sense he had everything. That is no exaggeration either, he really did have everything. He had a map in his head and knew where a player would be before he got there. His range of passing was second to none ... Ever. He didn't pass to feet, he put it where you were going, not where you were.
His balance was amazing for quite a tall guy, he could drift oast you with just a dip of a shoulder.
He could shoot with power and accuracy from any position with either foot.

He could head a ball too. You didn't see it often, as he was usually the guy providing the ball, but he knew how to head a ball. He was no Pele in the air mind.

There were other players who displayed similar skills, like Platini and Brady, but he was like a Swan amongst Geese. Where they were great, he was majestic.

It still angers me to this day that his genius was recognised by other nationalities more than by our own, other than us Spurs fans.

I live to see us win the title, as I've never witnessed it in my lifetime. But straight up, I'd be just as happy to see reincarnation of Hoddle grace the Lillywhite once more.

Along with pat Jennings was the reason I started supporting Spurs, genius for me but I think you have it spot on he could go missing and could be a bit soft in midfield against certain teams. We were promised an England team built around his talent and that is what we should of got. But the same old shit with england managers scared to follow their convictions he was considered a "luxury" player what a load of bolloc, only in this country. Ron greenwood should have built around him :-( he played workers over technique. Just one thing though in terms of other fans in this country I've not met one that didn't think he was brilliant and should have been the catalyst of a successful England team.
 

petewise

Member
Sep 16, 2004
787
2
Just a heads up regarding a program about one of our greatest players.

A Touch of Genius. See it in full on SS1 @ 7pm on 15 March. Also available On Demand from Friday.

The best player I have seen play for out great club.
Damn. Missed it.
 

beals

SC Supporter
Dec 22, 2003
1,540
193
He was the main reason I fell in love with THFC as a youngster. (He's a lot to answer for but it was well worth it.)
 

Ionman34

SC Supporter
Jun 1, 2011
7,182
16,793
Along with pat Jennings was the reason I started supporting Spurs, genius for me but I think you have it spot on he could go missing and could be a bit soft in midfield against certain teams. We were promised an England team built around his talent and that is what we should of got. But the same old shit with england managers scared to follow their convictions he was considered a "luxury" player what a load of bolloc, only in this country. Ron greenwood should have built around him :-( he played workers over technique. Just one thing though in terms of other fans in this country I've not met one that didn't think he was brilliant and should have been the catalyst of a successful England team.

Mate, don't get me started on Ron Greenwood. IMO ha single handedly set England back a decade with the dross he peddled.

Ray Wilkins over Hoddle ... There are just no words.
 

guiltyparty

Well-Known Member
Sep 21, 2005
9,023
13,524
Was my hero as a child. Remember watching that goal against Oxford and realising how great football could be. god we were spoilt in the 80s

Remember i went to the Swindon/Leicester play off final and he was still the best player on the pitch as player/manager
 

Flashspur

Well-Known Member
Jul 28, 2012
6,882
9,068
The greatest player i have seen in the Lilywhite and I've watched all the teams since the early 60's.
 

ginol@14

Active Member
Jun 16, 2008
1,163
26
I finally got round to watching this last night , Hoddle is an absolute legend and watching him brought back so many memories of my childhood , there is no question in my mind that he was the greatest player to ever play for us , an absolute genius that in this day and age would be up there with messi and ronaldo, those that were lucky enough to see him play live will talk about him for another 30 years , how this man only got 53 caps is beyond me , if the FA made clough manager like they should he would of built the team around him and maybe england would of won another tournament ...
 
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