Hoddle - Playmaker

[fishhhandaricecake]

I’ve started reading Glenn Hoddle’s new autobiography ‘Playmaker’. Can’t believe how undervalued he was by England national team because we were so stuck in our ways with the rigid 4-4-2, absolutely travesty.

Also interesting that Burkinshaw introduced sports psychologists to the team in 1980! And Glenn said they were a big reason behind our cup wins in 81,82.

He also said if we’d beaten Everton in April 1985 he’s convinced we’d have won the league that year.

All very interesting so far.

I’ve seen clips of Hoddle play so knew this anyways in terms of his style of play but interesting he compares himself to a De Bruyne or Zidane in the more modern game but said he never got to play that true n.o 10 role as English football was so flat 4-4-2 then. But for spurs he got more creative freedom when burkinshaw changed it to a diamond with Ossie and Ricky etc. He also seems to really rate Micky Hazard.

Also he said he scored a hat trick in a youth game when Bill Nick was manager, bill nick came over to him, Hoddle expecting him to congratulate him, instead he said “young Hoddle… you should’ve passed it for your 2nd goal” ??

Decent read for anyone who’s not read it, especially interesting for me as I grew up with spurs from very early 90’s so have read about and seen clips from our famous times from 1960-91 but the period when Hoddle was a youth player through to when he moved to Monaco (approx 1970-85) includes us being relegated, promoted, a few league title challenges, mid tables finishes and famous cup wins FA cup and UEFA Cup etc so very interesting read especially as football was so different back then.

Thought was worth sharing and discussing our of our greatest midfielders and players ever.

 

[dk-yid]

Thanks mate. Just in time for some summer reading. Will pick it up.

I remember growing up loving to watch him play, and wanted to be that sort of player. But every time I took the ball in midfield and tried to play a one two, or carry the ball forward from midfield my manager shouted at me to hit it to the wing or over the top and get back in to position. That prick ruined all my fun.

 

[jt hotspur]

Hoddle was pure class. Treated terribly by England. Only spurs player close to his talent since was gazza although 2 completely different geniuses. I was a kid but remember I expected magic everytime he got the ball. If my memory is correct he hit the post with a free kick in his last game for England and if it had went in he would have probly played international longer. The modern game won't have those sorts of players again. They get dropped or the flare drilled out of them.

 

[JW72]

The modern game won't have those sorts of players again. They get dropped or the flare drilled out of them.

Indeed. Probably the closest in the EPL era (and not a direct comparison) was Le Tissier. Neither seemed interested in furthering their career or pursuing big trophies, rather they seemed to relentlessly pursue the perfect pass, the most exquisite chip, the perfectly executed volley. They loved playing football and thrived on making people get off their seats with a piece of skill - sending the crowd home saying, "did you see THAT?"

 

[fishhhandaricecake]

Indeed. Probably the closest in the EPL era (and not a direct comparison) was Le Tissier. Neither seemed interested in furthering their career or pursuing big trophies, rather they seemed to relentlessly pursue the perfect pass, the most exquisite chip, the perfectly executed volley. They loved playing football and thrived on making people get off their seats with a piece of skill - sending the crowd home saying, "did you see THAT?"

Great comparison actually!

 

[TheChosenOne]

I probably watched 90% of his games in a Spurs shirt but I reckon he had a ghost writer doing this book.
A genius on the pitch but he just isn't articulate in speech and his way of thinking bless him.

 

[spursgirls]

Amazing player, and as it says in this video, you never lose it. Just incredible:

 

[Nice One Cyril]

Saw him at Wembley in 1985...everything he did was elegant and effortless. Nice memories.

 

[MB31spurs]

The main reason I started following spurs many many years ago……and once you are hooked?

 

[EireYid]

The main reason I started following spurs many many years ago……and once you are hooked?

Once your hooked your f*cked.

 

[WorcesterTHFC]

I probably watched 90% of his games in a Spurs shirt but I reckon he had a ghost writer doing this book.
A genius on the pitch but he just isn't articulate in speech and his way of thinking bless him.

They use ghost writers for nearly all sports-related autobiographies.

 

[leffe186]

Was and will forever be my football hero. I was born in ‘73 and first went to Spurs when they were in the Second Division. Basically grew up with Glenda. That first half against Feyenoord is etched on my mind, and I believe the guy in the crowd that shouts “brilliant” after the Oxford goal (check the video) is my Dad.

Feel privileged to have watched him tbh. Simon Raymonde mentioned in one of the podcasts that oppo fans used to turn up early to games just to watch him do his tricks in the warm-up.

 

[PCozzie]

As a kid I only saw him play live a couple of times, but I had a 'Spurs six of the best' video with highlights of six of our best games from the 80's. Must have worn the tape out rewinding the footage of the Watford chip and him sitting the Oxford Utd keeper down as he walked past and rolled it into an empty net.

Have ordered the book from the library (as I'm tight as fuck and have a small bookshelf). Really looking forward to it.

 

[fuzzylogic]

If he’d have played for Brazil then they would have built a team round him. 53 caps for a player like he was is laughable

 

[HodisGawd]

Yes, Zidane is the best comparison. Probably they only player I've seen that rivals Glenn for elegance. He made football beautiful.

 

[EighteenEightyTwo]

Yes, Zidane is the best comparison. Probably they only player I've seen that rivals Glenn for elegance. He made football beautiful.

Hoddle was way before my time (I only remember him as a manager), but I watched a game from the 80s recently and Hoddle was by far the best player on the pitch. He was a level above Ardiles who himself was a level above everyone else. Glenn reminded me of a Zidane and De Bruyne hybrid, which is frightening if you think about it. Interesting that Zidane is mentioned by others too.

 

[allatsea]

I was lucky enough to watch Hoddle playing for some age group or other down at the old Cheshunt Training Ground. He must have been about 14 or 15. He was truly amazing and outstanding in the game and was being watched by Bill Nicholson who I was lucky enough to be standing right next to.

 

[Terry & Terry]

Hoddle would be the first name on the team sheet if I was picking a Tottenham team from the players I have watched over the last 60 years. But to get the best out of him you needed to build a team round him. England never wanted to do that. A total waste. Watching him playing like an American Football quarterback picking out with a 60 yard pass Archibald or Crooks running like wide receivers was fantastic. And that was in the days of poor pitches. We were lucky to have him.

 

[UncleBuck]

The most underrated footballer this country has produced, absolute legend.

 

[PaulM]

I only caught the very end of his Spurs career and only really saw him play when he came back with Swindon and Chelsea. Even then, what a passer and what a player. Played the game the way I really believe it is meant to be played.

It's incredible how England misused him. But England seem to have a fear of that sort of player and its what they badly need. Michael Carrick was similarly treated (albeit he wasn't in Hoddles league) and was exactly what Svens England needed. Likewise Wilshere was a smashing footballer even if he was a horrible prick. He contributed to his own downfall but he should have been running England's midfield. Instead you get water carriers like Rice, who is very good at what he does, and Phillips. I thought Winks could also be the player England needed but he stagnated badly 3-4 years ago.

When Hoddle left, I assumed he wanted to experience a different culture and style of football. However I read something recently that indicated a falling out with Pleat contributed to his desire to leave. Any truth in that?