HODDLE'S SNUB FOR ADAMS; He wasn't told of captaincy axe.
ARSENAL skipper Tony Adams has been cruelly snubbed TWICE by England manager Glenn Hoddle.I can reveal that Hoddle didn't tell Adams he was making Alan Shearer the new captain of England.
And the England boss hasn't been in touch with the Arsenal skipper since Adams announced he was an alcoholic.
It's a shocking snub for Adams, who was England captain only two games ago. He has had no contact with Hoddle about playing again for his country.
Now it looks as though Adams will not be in the England squad announced tomorrow for the World Cup qualifying match against Poland at Wembley next month.
Adams, asked if Hoddle had telephoned him to check his progress at a time of personal crisis, replied: "No, I've not spoken to him. I've not had any contact."
Adams was one of England's heroes in the summer's European Championship, when he was a lionheart in defence. He played on bravely with a knee injury that subsequently needed a further cartilage operation.
It would appear that Adams is again out in the cold even though he is now fit. Last Saturday he came on as a substitute against Middlesbrough, and played magnificently.
He added: "Playing again for England is at the back of my mind.
"But first and foremost I must do it for Arsenal. And it's about time I got on with my job."
It's an amazing omission by Hoddle not to keep a check on
key players. Gunners caretaker-boss Pat Rice said: "Adams should definitely be in, and reinstated as captain. He's a natural- born leader.
"But I can't comment on what Glenn does. He will have his own reasons."
Adams confessed he went on a drinking spree after England's semi-final defeat by Germany in Euro 96.
Yesterday he had a counsellor with him before Arsenal flew out to Germany for their UEFA second leg tie with Borussia.
Adams said: "A big part of Tony Adams is Tony Adams the footballer.
"It's a piece of p*** to cope with other things when you are back playing again.
"I am aware that some nice comments have been said about me, but now it's important how Tony Adams thinks and feels."
Adams went on: "I feel fine, really good about everything. And that includes my future.
"I have never felt the impulse to move anywhere else. Arsenal have showed they still have the ambition and desire to win things.''
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| Title Annotation: | Sport |
|---|---|
| Author: | Clarke, Nigel |
| Publication: | The Mirror (London, England) |
| Date: | Sep 25, 1996 |
| Words: | 404 |
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