'Fascinating, intriguing...' - legends on England-Belgium
Thu 28 June 2018, 11:55|
Tottenham Hotspur
Up to eight Spurs players could be involved when England take on Belgium for first place in Group G of the World Cup this evening so we turned to nine legends - over 2,750 appearances for the Club between them - for their opinion of this intriguing match in Kaliningrad (7pm UK). Here's what they had to say...
CLIVE ALLEN
135 appearances, 84 goals for Spurs, 1984-88
Five caps for England
"It’s fascinating. There could be a lot of match-ups of our players against each other. They do that every day in training but they are playing for their country this time and I don’t think it will be like playing with team-mates. For instance, if Jan and Toby play, they will know what Harry does, he will know what they do - it’s a bit like poker really. Will someone do something different? They will know how difficult it will be to contain Harry with the form he’s in but at the same time, you’ve two formidable defenders. It will be great to watch and the match will mean a lot in terms of the knockout stages."
It’s a reflection on Spurs as a team and the Club’s development that we have so many high-quality players at the World Cup
PAUL ALLEN
370 appearances, 28 goals for Spurs, 1985-93
"Being biased, I’m going for England! As a Spurs fan, I’d like to see Belgium do well as well. It’s going to be an incredibly tight game but it’s a real reflection on Spurs as a team and the Club’s development that we have so many high-quality players at the World Cup. It’s fantastic for us as a Club."
OSSIE ARDILES
311 appearances, 25 goals for Spurs, 1978-88
52 caps for Argentina, World Cup winner 1978
"It will like a training session for us! The two clubs will already be qualified, but this is a very important game because it will dictate who the teams play in the knockout phase. It will be a great, great game and interesting to watch. Belgium have looked impressive, England have also won their games - so far, no problems."
It will be fascinating and brilliant for us - it just shows where we are as a Club
MICKY HAZARD
170 appearances, 25 goals for Spurs, 1980-85/1993-95
"It’s going to be fantastic to possibly have up to eight Spurs players on view in such a high-level game in the World Cup. It’s incredible really. It’s an indication of where we are as a Club, what we’ve achieved under Mauricio and the quality and development of our players. If we beat Belgium, we’ll win the group. It’s a tough game, Belgium have great players but these are players England know well. It’s such an intriguing game."
DAVID HOWELLS
335 appearances, 27 goals for Spurs, 1986-98
"It will be a tight game with quality on both sides, players who know each other so well. There are a lot of English-based players in the Belgian squad, so everyone knows each other. It’s a game England will have prepared fully for regardless of other results. It will be fascinating and brilliant for us. It just shows where we are as a Club."
It’s just great we’re watching matches like this with so much Spurs interest
PAT JENNINGS
590 appearances for Spurs, 1964-77
119 caps, two World Cups for Northern Ireland
"It’s fantastic for the Club and hopefully they’ll both progress even further. Realistically, Belgium haven’t really realised their full potential yet. Will they turn up on the day? That’s the question. They have such good players. I think it will be tight and it’s just great we’re watching matches like this with so much Spurs interest."
CLIFF JONES
378 appearances, 159 goals for Spurs, 1958-68
59 caps, 16 goals for Wales, World Cup 1958
"Belgium are one of my favourites to win the tournament, a great side, lots of good players. If anything, it shows the standard of players we have at Spurs, the fact we’ve got that number of players at that level. That augers well for the future of the Club. It’s an exciting time for us."
It's great for Spurs and can only mean good things for the Club, gaining that experience in the World Cup.
GRAHAM ROBERTS
287 appearances, 35 goals for Spurs, 1980-86
Six caps for England
"They all know each other - I wonder if they’ll get stuck in! I bet Mauricio will be watching closely! I think it will be a great game and I’m going for a draw, maybe 1-1. If it happens, it will be fascinating to watch Harry up against Jan and Toby, I’m sure they will all want to prove a point to each other."
TEDDY SHERINGHAM
277 appearances, 124 goals for Spurs, 1992-97/2001-03
51 caps for England, 11 goals - World Cup 1998, 2002
"It's great for Spurs and can only mean good things for the Club, gaining that experience in the World Cup. From my point of view and knowing Gareth, he will want to win, want to win the group, make sure we’re staying on course with what we’re doing, no negatives, go out there and win another game and then move on to the next one."
