10 Apr 2018 17:30:32
Hey guys just visiting from the Liverpool page!
Wondered if you guys or the eds could tell me much about Le Tissier as a player. I have been a long admirer of his goals but know really know much else.
Cheers.

1.) 10 Apr 2018
10 Apr 2018 18:04:40
Well where do you start with that one. for me football was different then because of him. He changed everything . as a young boy/ teenager I spent my saturday afternoons waiting, watching ceefax scores teletext for his name and to hear about what wonderful piece of magic he had pulled off. I then spent my playing time trying (poorly ) to emulate him in every way. It was criminal that he did not play for england more often and I also think he received unfair criticism of his work ethic . he actually worked hard and it showed . for me he made my Saturdays. and my childhood.

2.) 11 Apr 2018
11 Apr 2018 10:02:28
Here is a little story about MLT and his England career . or rather lack of .

ENGLAND'S last B international was a 4-1 win over Russia played in front of 5,105 fans at Loftus Road and was notable for manager Glenn Hoddle apparently learning nothing from it. He turned it into a final trial for players hoping to make his France 98 squad, but striker Chris Sutton refused to play saying he "didn't do rehearsals".

Matthew Le Tissier did play, scored three times, hit the woodwork twice and set up the other goal, but was not selected for the tournament anyway.

MLT opened a nightclub in Southampton when he was at the top of his game. People would come expecting to catch a glimpse of this man, perhaps sipping champagne in a private booth. Nope, he used to collect glasses, work behind the bar and all other jobs in between. Can you see one of todays' players doing that!

One more anecdote . we were playing Man U at home and one of their fans was telling me that whem MLT did an autograph session (for his video I believe), it was the longest queue ever seen, surpassing any Man U players.

MLT . Le God.

{Ed001's Note - he used to stop at McDonalds every morning on his way to training to pick up his breakfast as well.}

3.) 11 Apr 2018
11 Apr 2018 10:20:02
:-) ) ) ) thanks Ed . so funny but so true .

{Ed001's Note - he was not very good at the diet side of things, but very few were in those days. Makes you wonder just how good he would have been if he had the diet and fitness levels of a modern day pro? He himself admits he struggled with fitness throughout his career, never having the legs to get up and down the pitch or press from the front, but he was still a fantastic footballer.}

4.) 11 Apr 2018
11 Apr 2018 10:58:36
What is interesting about that is because of his lack of fitness, his reading of the game, positional sense had to be that much better.
While I fully understand the modern game requires much greater levels of fitness, it seems to be utilzed by running around all over the pitch almost headless chicken style. I watched Kevin de Bryne last night and it was fascinating to see how he would run for short sprints and then stop, re position himself for return passes. In fact a huge part of his game was making sure he was not only 'available' but available in a good position.
But to answer you, MLT + fitness mmmmmm I wonder .

5.) 11 Apr 2018
11 Apr 2018 11:32:46
Le Tissier was a technically gifted player who worked hard in training to hone the accuracy of his passing and shooting. Instant control, excellent passing range and could score from almost anywhere. Only missed one penalty, scoring the other 25, and was a regular free-kick taker, scoring and creating from set plays. He would often find space where there seemed to be none and beat players when required with tricks many wouldn’t dare to try. You have to remember that in his day, Division one as it was wasn’t really the home of progressive football like the Premier League is. Most teams set up with a 4-4-2, the pace of the football was a little slower and there was more blood and thunder than finesse. But Le Tissier, along with a handful of others spread across the league, had the latter. He was the heartbeat of the team and when he was on fire, was the sort of player that could win a game single handed.

His work rate and fitness were never high, like many at that time, and as he aged, the bigger teams started to work on fitness and stamina a bit more. Le Tissier was then used more regularly as an impact sub, but still often managed to create a spectacle. His natural ability allowed him to play at half the speed of the opposition but still stay a step ahead.

The fans loved him for his ability which stood out a mile in what was a very average team of players. They loved him even more because, despite overtures from bigger teams, Le Tissier decided to remain at Saints for the entirety of career. It can’t have been an easy choice because in those days, players outside the big clubs were rarely picked for international duty. So it proved. There have also long been rumours about Hoddle not liking to coach players that can match or better his technical ability as he wanted to be the best on the training pitch and perhaps that’s why he snubbed Le Tissier because whether playing for England B or his one half for the senior side, his abilities shone through.

I was a Saints mascot once and Le Tissier was my hero. It was amazing to meet him and whilst all the players were friendly, I was relieved that he was kind and generous with his time. As I kicked a ball around with Glenn Cockerill in the warm up, Le Tissier jogged inbetween us, flicked the ball up over his head and played it back to me with a big grin on his face and a wink at me. I’m pretty sure I just stood there open mouthed.

6.) 11 Apr 2018
11 Apr 2018 21:39:28
Figo I hate myself for doing it. I believe it was 47 from 48 pens. mark crossley the gk. enjoyed reading all the above. we could do with a le tiss now!

7.) 12 Apr 2018
12 Apr 2018 13:23:34
Don't be, you're right. Although there is a Daily Mail report that says he scored 48 of 49. I stupidly used the premier league pens stat rather than career total.

8.) 13 Apr 2018
13 Apr 2018 22:51:43
There will never be another Matt.
He comes from my island a little old island and we are so so proud of what he achieved. He was knocking in goals from corners as a boy and free scoring in school games. He was a genius the likes of which you will provably never see again. The goals he scored I have never seen again in the premier league. The only player close to him since was Lallana who Matt saw in himself.

I am proud he was a saints player and we can always look back and remember with fondness how he kept us up season after season. I wish we could have him in the dressing room now and tell the players how it felt to battle relegation. I am hoping Sparky has spoken to him.