ANGRY LE TISS BLASTS HODDLE

               Matthew Le Tissier has been left mystified by the decision
               of England coach Glenn Hoddle to choose Darren
               Anderton ahead of him in the countdown to the World
               Cup.

               Le Tissier has only made two starts for England in a
               career dating back to the Graham Taylor regime, and he
               was furious that Hoddle picked Anderton and Jamie
               Redknapp ahead of him for his 29-man provisional World
               Cup squad.

               The 29-year-old Southampton star said: "You have to
               ask why they were picked. Was it because they were
               coming back into form, or because of other factors?

               "I have been on top form at the end of the season. You
               only have to look at my record, 10 goals in 10 games.

               "I wouldn't be so hurt if I had not been at my best recently
               but I have and I think I deserved a place.

               "I felt that I had done enough to command a spot in the
               squad at the very least but I don't know what goes on in
               Glenn's head."

               Le Tissier believes his penalty-taking record alone would
               have been enough to clinch him a place in the squad,
               apart from his skill at set pieces, passing ability and
               scoring record.

               He said: "You would have thought that they would have
               wanted someone who could take penalties out there.

               "I have taken 46 in my career and I have only missed
               once, so you would have thought they would have wanted
               me for that."

               The Channel Islander was made a scapegoat for
               England's Wembley defeat by Italy in the qualifying
               competition, but although Hoddle supported him at the
               time, he has not picked him again.

               Even a hat-trick in a B international against Russia last
               month did not persuade Hoddle, and Le Tissier insists he
               has not been given a fair chance.

               "I have played really well at the end of the season and
               some others have hardly played at all," he said.

               "I don't think I have been given a fair chance to prove
               myself because two starts is not enough.

               "I know that I am good enough and he has given other
               players plenty of time and yet I don't get the same
               treatment."

               Le Tissier was so devastated at being left out of Hoddle's
               initial squad that he has been unable to watch television
               coverage of England's match against Morocco on
               Wednesday night.

               "I couldn't sit there and watch it all, because at the
               moment it really hurts to watch them play," he said.

               Le Tissier has not written of his international career, but
               believes that his chances of appearing in a World Cup in
               the future are slim.

               "I will be 33 then and it is really unlikely, but I still want to
               play for England and I will be disappointed if I don't get
               another chance."

               © PA Sporting Life