GENIUS OF LE TISSIER

MATTHEW LE is often described as a “lazy genius”. Only half of that statement is correct. It is a misconception that Le Tissier (below) never used to work hard – he did. His problem was that burger and chips, washed down by Malibu and Coke, does not constitute a healthy diet. But genius? We would be talking telephone numbers if he was on the market these days. Possibly a nine-figure transfer fee. At Southampton, we used an indoor gym with a large skirting board round it. Players would stand in a box 15 yards from goal. The coaches would stand behind them and feed the ball in off the skirting boards. It would come at you from all angles. You had to take one touch. The second was a shot. Not a problem for Tiss. He would control it with his chest, knee, thigh. Invariably he would score. Either foot. It was an education, watching him. Of course, he was famous for penaltytaking, only ever missing one in his career. But the best part was his attitude to corners – Tiss thought they were more chances to take shots at goal. Boss Ian Branfoot would insist he take corners aimed at the near post. The signal was for him to raise one arm. When we got a corner, Ian would yell, “Tiss, don’t forget to raise your arm”. As he ran past, I could hear him say, “F*** that, I’m going to try and score”. And Branny would be going mental on the sidelines.