sheringmann
Well-Known Member
- May 27, 2004
- 1,686
- 418
Found this on the web. Well written and brings to mind a player people either overrated or underrated.. U decide.
Football FanCast columnist Fanos Kyriacou continues his look back at the Premier League's forgotten heroes and focuses this week on Darren Anderton.
When people look back on the career of Darren Anderton the word ‘injured' is one of the first one that springs to mind. His injury plagued career earned him the nickname ‘sicknote' but I do feel that this reputation has somewhat masked the quality that he possessed on the football pitch. In a 12 year career at Spurs Anderton made 358 appearances scoring 48 goals not to mention countless assists.
I remember thoroughly enjoying watching him play for Spurs and was one of my favourite players at the time along with Teddy Sheringham. Who could forget his goal against Arsenal at Highbury when he galloped from the half way line while Tony Adams laughably attempted to catch him and then slotting the ball past the desperate dive of David Seaman? Or his fantastic long range effort against Leeds in the FA Cup?
Injuries did indeed hamper Anderton's career, although there are cynics out there who point to him frequently being injury free when a major international tournament was close. It was between 1995 and 1998 that the injury problems mounted up for Anderton. In those three seasons he only played 39 times for Spurs and the ‘sicknote' tag was born. Prior to that he enjoyed 3 years of regular first team football in which he was an integral part of a very exciting attacking line-up that included Teddy Sheringham and a young Nick Barmby in his first two seasons and in the 1994-95 season was part of that famous five with Jurgen Klinsmann and Ilie Dumitrescu being added to the team.
Whatever his problems with injuries there is no doubt that Darren Anderton was a very talented player who caused opposing defenders problems with his wing play and his excellent crossing ability. He was deceptively quick, had a great touch and his final ball was pretty much always spot on. Teddy and Jurgen have him to thank for a large percentage of their goals.
What is also forgotten about Anderton is his loyalty. Many people scoff at this saying that the club were the loyal ones, paying his wages while he was constantly on the treatment table; but we should also remember that he turned down a move to Manchester United in the summer of 1995 after three excellent seasons in our colours but wanted to stay on in search of success at Spurs. I remember at the time thinking what fantastic news this was that we were keeping one of our best players, especially after the announcement that Klinsmann wouldn't be staying.
It was during the next season that Anderton's injury nightmare began. He only played in 8 games that season and the further two seasons after that were all pretty much right-offs as far as his Spurs Career was concerned. We badly missed Anderton's passing and crossing ability in those three seasons. We also missed his contribution in terms of goals from midfield that were so important to us.
Darren Anderton was clearly highly thought of throughout the game. As already mentioned Sir Alex Ferguson tried to sign him for Manchester Untied in 1995 and his constant inclusion in England squads when fit was further proof that he had a lot to offer. He was a key member of England's Euro ‘96 team which included the likes of Paul Ince, Alan Shearer, Teddy Sheringham and Gazza, despite the fact that he hardly played for Spurs that season. He also missed most of the 97/98 season for Spurs but was still called into England's 1998 World Cup squad and played in every game. Another amazing fact that further proves his worth was that his last five England caps were given to him by five different England managers. He made a total of thirty appearances for England scoring seven goals and I suspect that had he remained injury free that number would have been more than double.
Darren Anderton often misses out when people talk about past Spurs greats and I think that is somewhat unfair. Whenever he played he pretty much always produced the goods and was a key member of the Spurs team for twelve years. He was indeed very unlucky with injuries but that should not take away from the fact that he was a wonderful footballer who should get more credit for his abilities than he does.
Cheers Dazza!!!! :clap::clap::clap::clap::beer:
Football FanCast columnist Fanos Kyriacou continues his look back at the Premier League's forgotten heroes and focuses this week on Darren Anderton.
When people look back on the career of Darren Anderton the word ‘injured' is one of the first one that springs to mind. His injury plagued career earned him the nickname ‘sicknote' but I do feel that this reputation has somewhat masked the quality that he possessed on the football pitch. In a 12 year career at Spurs Anderton made 358 appearances scoring 48 goals not to mention countless assists.
I remember thoroughly enjoying watching him play for Spurs and was one of my favourite players at the time along with Teddy Sheringham. Who could forget his goal against Arsenal at Highbury when he galloped from the half way line while Tony Adams laughably attempted to catch him and then slotting the ball past the desperate dive of David Seaman? Or his fantastic long range effort against Leeds in the FA Cup?
Injuries did indeed hamper Anderton's career, although there are cynics out there who point to him frequently being injury free when a major international tournament was close. It was between 1995 and 1998 that the injury problems mounted up for Anderton. In those three seasons he only played 39 times for Spurs and the ‘sicknote' tag was born. Prior to that he enjoyed 3 years of regular first team football in which he was an integral part of a very exciting attacking line-up that included Teddy Sheringham and a young Nick Barmby in his first two seasons and in the 1994-95 season was part of that famous five with Jurgen Klinsmann and Ilie Dumitrescu being added to the team.
Whatever his problems with injuries there is no doubt that Darren Anderton was a very talented player who caused opposing defenders problems with his wing play and his excellent crossing ability. He was deceptively quick, had a great touch and his final ball was pretty much always spot on. Teddy and Jurgen have him to thank for a large percentage of their goals.
What is also forgotten about Anderton is his loyalty. Many people scoff at this saying that the club were the loyal ones, paying his wages while he was constantly on the treatment table; but we should also remember that he turned down a move to Manchester United in the summer of 1995 after three excellent seasons in our colours but wanted to stay on in search of success at Spurs. I remember at the time thinking what fantastic news this was that we were keeping one of our best players, especially after the announcement that Klinsmann wouldn't be staying.
It was during the next season that Anderton's injury nightmare began. He only played in 8 games that season and the further two seasons after that were all pretty much right-offs as far as his Spurs Career was concerned. We badly missed Anderton's passing and crossing ability in those three seasons. We also missed his contribution in terms of goals from midfield that were so important to us.
Darren Anderton was clearly highly thought of throughout the game. As already mentioned Sir Alex Ferguson tried to sign him for Manchester Untied in 1995 and his constant inclusion in England squads when fit was further proof that he had a lot to offer. He was a key member of England's Euro ‘96 team which included the likes of Paul Ince, Alan Shearer, Teddy Sheringham and Gazza, despite the fact that he hardly played for Spurs that season. He also missed most of the 97/98 season for Spurs but was still called into England's 1998 World Cup squad and played in every game. Another amazing fact that further proves his worth was that his last five England caps were given to him by five different England managers. He made a total of thirty appearances for England scoring seven goals and I suspect that had he remained injury free that number would have been more than double.
Darren Anderton often misses out when people talk about past Spurs greats and I think that is somewhat unfair. Whenever he played he pretty much always produced the goods and was a key member of the Spurs team for twelve years. He was indeed very unlucky with injuries but that should not take away from the fact that he was a wonderful footballer who should get more credit for his abilities than he does.
Cheers Dazza!!!! :clap::clap::clap::clap::beer:
