Latest chat with Graham Roberts was with Matt Le Tissier, probably the best player never to play for us (more about that in a minute).
Matt was born in Guernsey, had trials with Oxford when he was 14, but he was homesick and went back home. He was spotted by Southampton, aged 15, and joined their YTS scheme, once his schooling was completed.
He confirmed that he was a Spurs supporter, as was his dad, and Hod was his idol. He recalled how his dad surprised him with a trip to London for the 1981 FA Cup Final, and he got to miss school for the afternoon. Unfortunately they couldn't stay for the replay. He also remembered the UEFA Cup Final in 1984 as a stand-out memory.
Although Matt was linked with several clubs during his time with Southampton, he never spoke to anyone else, except us. In fact, terms and conditions were agreed in 1990 and a contract was drawn up, to be signed and finalised at the end of the season. The reason it fell through was nothing to do with money - Matt's fiancee at the time didn't want to move to London! So we missed out on one of the best natural talents of the game due to some silly tart he didn't even stay married to!
However, he has no regrets on how things turned out, as Southampton enabled him to perform at his best. He loved his time there, and said that if they had been relegated during his time, he would not have left and would have given them at least one season to get back. His best manager was Alan Ball as he had belief in his ability and built the team around him. Although he had issues with Glenn and his man management (apparently Hod is the only manager he ever swore at!), Hod was the best tactician by a million miles. Matt was gutted to have been left out of the World Cup squad by Hod in 1998, and he found out on Teletex. Things were awkward between them for a while, but they have sorted things out since and now on better terms.
Someone said that it was criminal that he only got 8 England caps, but we seem to struggle to get the best out of players that are a bit different.
Matt was then asked about his phenomenal penalty taking. He scored 47 out of 48 in his career and cited three reasons for his success. Firstly, he wanted to take them (some players have a mental barrier up and really don’t want to take one). Secondly, he was able to sidefoot the ball with power, which gave him better accuracy than using his instep. Thirdly, he could change his mind as to where he was going to place the ball right up to the last second before striking it. He remembered that Tim Crossley saved his one failure (the same Tim Crossley that saved Lineker’s penalty in the ’91 Final). Matt was more annoyed that although he managed to get to the rebound, he blasted it over the bar.
He loves being a pundit, as it allows him to still be involved with football, without the pressures of being a manager. He did try taking his coaching badges, but was bored and he doesn’t think that all players should be coached the same (not having badges didn’t do Fergie any harm). He admitted that he enjoyed sitting alongside Merson, as you never know what he’s going to come out with next.
He was asked about Poch - he was surprised that he was let go after his first dodgy spell, as it looked as if he was building something special. He was also surprised that Jose was appointed as his replacement, because of the way we try to play. He’s not decrying his achievements, but doesn’t seem the Spurs way. He also feels that Poch will be back.
Matt’s view on Hojbjerg was interesting – he thinks that he is a good holding midfield player, but a little bit short on technical ability. He’s not going to push us up to Champion’s League level, but then again, he may step up in a better team. He had been impressed by KWP, and felt he changed the game when he came on against Man U.
He was asked where he thinks we need to improve; no surprise that he said our full backs, central midfield and replacements for Jan and Toby (he must watch us a lot!). Thinks Harry and Sonny are as good a front two as you can get.
His most difficult opponent when playing us was Gazza, with Pat Van den Hauwe also getting a mention.
His best goal, technically, was a goal against Blackburn, but his favourite goal was against Woolwich when they beat them 3-2 in the final competitive game at The Dell in 2001.
My question was how he felt about clubs changing stadium, and how long it takes to make the new one feel like home. He only had one year at St Mary’s and he felt it took a couple of seasons to really settle in, as The Dell was a ground that other teams didn’t particularly enjoy playing at. He said that he and his dad are still to visit our new stadium, they had plans before lockdown, and he is looking forward to it.
His opinion on VAR is that it is a good system, but poorly officiated, and still not applied consistently. It would be improved if ex-players were involved, to get a perspective from someone who played the game.
He was quite diplomatic when asked about Gareth Bales’ behaviour – although he feels that he has been treated harshly by Real Madrid, he also feels that he doesn’t help himself by acting up.
Someone brought up Ali Dia (if you don’t know what I’m on about, Google it, otherwise I’m going to be here all night!). Matt couldn’t believe how bad he was, thought he had won a competition to spend the day with the team. He actually came on for Le Tiss after 20 mins as he felt a twinge in his thigh. Souness had to take him off after 20 minutes he was so bad.
Matt touched briefly on Harry Redknapp’s time at Southampton, and how it was a mismatch right from the start, as it was obvious that Harry’s heart wasn’t in it.
The best story he told was the one where he met Matthew Harding (the Chelsea chairman). Harding had a Panini sticker of Le Tiss, and asked him to autograph it and then tried to sign him for the Chavs. Le Tiss said that the only way that he would play for Harding is if he bought Southampton for £7m. Harding said that he would and call it Chelsea-by-the-Sea. Le Tiss then went off camera and produced a framed personal cheque signed by Harding, made payable to Chelsea-by-the-Sea for £7m! Robbo mentioned that he should have been with Matthew Harding in the helicopter that crashed, he had a lucky escape.
Matt plays a lot of golf and his hero is Ernie Els, and he met him at some golf tournament. When he asked for a selfie, Matt was chuffed that Ernie knew who he was!
In the Messi v Ronaldo debate, he prefers the former, as he feels that Messi is a naturally gifted player, whereas Ronaldo is a bit more ‘manufactured’.
He enjoyed doing the ‘Harry’s Heroes’ programmes, would do the Jungle only if he was skint, and had the best time on Countdown, won three of his ties, but lost the fourth.
I wasn’t sure whether to dial into this one, as Matt is not a Spurs legend, but it was a great evening, he was brilliant on the night.
Next up is Paul Stewart.
Matt was born in Guernsey, had trials with Oxford when he was 14, but he was homesick and went back home. He was spotted by Southampton, aged 15, and joined their YTS scheme, once his schooling was completed.
He confirmed that he was a Spurs supporter, as was his dad, and Hod was his idol. He recalled how his dad surprised him with a trip to London for the 1981 FA Cup Final, and he got to miss school for the afternoon. Unfortunately they couldn't stay for the replay. He also remembered the UEFA Cup Final in 1984 as a stand-out memory.
Although Matt was linked with several clubs during his time with Southampton, he never spoke to anyone else, except us. In fact, terms and conditions were agreed in 1990 and a contract was drawn up, to be signed and finalised at the end of the season. The reason it fell through was nothing to do with money - Matt's fiancee at the time didn't want to move to London! So we missed out on one of the best natural talents of the game due to some silly tart he didn't even stay married to!
However, he has no regrets on how things turned out, as Southampton enabled him to perform at his best. He loved his time there, and said that if they had been relegated during his time, he would not have left and would have given them at least one season to get back. His best manager was Alan Ball as he had belief in his ability and built the team around him. Although he had issues with Glenn and his man management (apparently Hod is the only manager he ever swore at!), Hod was the best tactician by a million miles. Matt was gutted to have been left out of the World Cup squad by Hod in 1998, and he found out on Teletex. Things were awkward between them for a while, but they have sorted things out since and now on better terms.
Someone said that it was criminal that he only got 8 England caps, but we seem to struggle to get the best out of players that are a bit different.
Matt was then asked about his phenomenal penalty taking. He scored 47 out of 48 in his career and cited three reasons for his success. Firstly, he wanted to take them (some players have a mental barrier up and really don’t want to take one). Secondly, he was able to sidefoot the ball with power, which gave him better accuracy than using his instep. Thirdly, he could change his mind as to where he was going to place the ball right up to the last second before striking it. He remembered that Tim Crossley saved his one failure (the same Tim Crossley that saved Lineker’s penalty in the ’91 Final). Matt was more annoyed that although he managed to get to the rebound, he blasted it over the bar.
He loves being a pundit, as it allows him to still be involved with football, without the pressures of being a manager. He did try taking his coaching badges, but was bored and he doesn’t think that all players should be coached the same (not having badges didn’t do Fergie any harm). He admitted that he enjoyed sitting alongside Merson, as you never know what he’s going to come out with next.
He was asked about Poch - he was surprised that he was let go after his first dodgy spell, as it looked as if he was building something special. He was also surprised that Jose was appointed as his replacement, because of the way we try to play. He’s not decrying his achievements, but doesn’t seem the Spurs way. He also feels that Poch will be back.
Matt’s view on Hojbjerg was interesting – he thinks that he is a good holding midfield player, but a little bit short on technical ability. He’s not going to push us up to Champion’s League level, but then again, he may step up in a better team. He had been impressed by KWP, and felt he changed the game when he came on against Man U.
He was asked where he thinks we need to improve; no surprise that he said our full backs, central midfield and replacements for Jan and Toby (he must watch us a lot!). Thinks Harry and Sonny are as good a front two as you can get.
His most difficult opponent when playing us was Gazza, with Pat Van den Hauwe also getting a mention.
His best goal, technically, was a goal against Blackburn, but his favourite goal was against Woolwich when they beat them 3-2 in the final competitive game at The Dell in 2001.
My question was how he felt about clubs changing stadium, and how long it takes to make the new one feel like home. He only had one year at St Mary’s and he felt it took a couple of seasons to really settle in, as The Dell was a ground that other teams didn’t particularly enjoy playing at. He said that he and his dad are still to visit our new stadium, they had plans before lockdown, and he is looking forward to it.
His opinion on VAR is that it is a good system, but poorly officiated, and still not applied consistently. It would be improved if ex-players were involved, to get a perspective from someone who played the game.
He was quite diplomatic when asked about Gareth Bales’ behaviour – although he feels that he has been treated harshly by Real Madrid, he also feels that he doesn’t help himself by acting up.
Someone brought up Ali Dia (if you don’t know what I’m on about, Google it, otherwise I’m going to be here all night!). Matt couldn’t believe how bad he was, thought he had won a competition to spend the day with the team. He actually came on for Le Tiss after 20 mins as he felt a twinge in his thigh. Souness had to take him off after 20 minutes he was so bad.
Matt touched briefly on Harry Redknapp’s time at Southampton, and how it was a mismatch right from the start, as it was obvious that Harry’s heart wasn’t in it.
The best story he told was the one where he met Matthew Harding (the Chelsea chairman). Harding had a Panini sticker of Le Tiss, and asked him to autograph it and then tried to sign him for the Chavs. Le Tiss said that the only way that he would play for Harding is if he bought Southampton for £7m. Harding said that he would and call it Chelsea-by-the-Sea. Le Tiss then went off camera and produced a framed personal cheque signed by Harding, made payable to Chelsea-by-the-Sea for £7m! Robbo mentioned that he should have been with Matthew Harding in the helicopter that crashed, he had a lucky escape.
Matt plays a lot of golf and his hero is Ernie Els, and he met him at some golf tournament. When he asked for a selfie, Matt was chuffed that Ernie knew who he was!
In the Messi v Ronaldo debate, he prefers the former, as he feels that Messi is a naturally gifted player, whereas Ronaldo is a bit more ‘manufactured’.
He enjoyed doing the ‘Harry’s Heroes’ programmes, would do the Jungle only if he was skint, and had the best time on Countdown, won three of his ties, but lost the fourth.
I wasn’t sure whether to dial into this one, as Matt is not a Spurs legend, but it was a great evening, he was brilliant on the night.
Next up is Paul Stewart.
