The cult of the confused
Monday, February 28, 2011 at 8:49PM At what point does a players inability to be above average consistently elevate him from being a bit rubbish to a cult hero? What is a cult hero exactly? I've always associated the term with someone that wasn't great and bullish enough to tap into the mainstream as a recognised top drawer player. Although you could tag a highly skilled luxury player or someone who played out of their skin and above their grade (even if they were blatantly out of their depth in doing so) for the shirt with the same backhanded compliment.
In modern times you might look no further than Steffen Freund as the perfect example. Plenty of posturing and screaming to make up for his distinct lack of anything. But legend they call him because he played with his heart on his sleeve. And sometimes his inane battle cries worked. But you can't help but love the blokes love for THFC and thus it doesn't matter how average a player he was, even though the fundamental crux of the matter is the football and how well you can play it.
Zokora is another player that had very little footballing astuteness. Loved his rampaging runs forward, single direction, forward in a straight line, no stopping, just forward until he either fell over or blasted the ball to the moon. He too had tenacity. Fantastic athlete just no grey matter.
Maybe cult isn't the right terminology here, but when exactly does a player become much maligned/hated/abused and when does he find categorisation as said 'cult' and thus excused for his failings because, well, he just wont make the grade so may as well accept him for what he is and love him unconditionally for at least giving something back, be it, in spurts of joy rather prolonged sessions of love.
Jenas is hardly cult. But much maligned he is. Why? Is it because we expect so much more from him? Or because he doesn't do a zany dance when we win games? Is cult simply a tolerable level of acceptance? A standard that can sometimes exist outside other standards because there's a necessity for this middle ground of footballers?
When we sat just above mid-table we sort of tolerated the likes of Zoko until we worked out he was not the answer to our defensive midfield frailties. But now we sit Top 4, contenders (we aspire to be) there is no room for this ilk of footballing 'star'. We need finished articles. Not random pages stripped out of comic books.
I find it humorous that one or two Spurs fans have suddenly labelled Wilson Palacios as a cult player because of the over excitable commitment he has shown in recent games, when not too long ago he was a 'destroyer', commanding as the stop-gap in midfield before personal issues consumed his confidence. Some of us are stretching the boundaries a little it seems.
Or say a player like Alfie Conn (if we choose to go back to the past) who was hardly rubbish but had a short yet memorable stay at the Lane and endeared himself to many whether it was ball at feet or sitting on top of it. A good type of cult? Talented but not a world beater.
The other end of the spectrum, you'll find Gary Doherty who was not good enough for the top flight, yet he tried bless him, boy did he try. His awarkdness, his lack of elegance, his ginger hair. A cult followers wet dream. But when you strip away the t-shirts what are you left with? Just a lad who was over-rated by those who signed him and over-used because of the lack of depth at the club at the time.
Would cult befit someone like John White? I don't think so. White is tinged with legend, a life cut short by a freak accident, a storming presence in our greatest ever side.
I've seen the phrase tagged onto the likes of van der Vaart, who is hardly someone benefiting from the vocal support of a minority. Hardly. Bit like calling Dimitar cult for the Berbarotic he subjected to us that had so many blinded for a season. But say vdV left us this summer, would that warrant cult status because his Lilywhite days would be nothing more than a pocket of appearances?
Is BAE cult? What with the two distinctive groups of support, one that rates him the other that is perpetually unsure?
Okay, so let's return to the first sentence of this article. At what point does a players inability to be above average consistently elevate him from being a bit rubbish to a cult hero? Do they simply require an occasional fire in the belly or marauding run and skill or perhaps something side splitting funny (row z again) to gain notoriety? One game or a glut of goals? Or inconsistency tinged with genius?
Is it in the eye of the beholder or is it a polite way of saying, you weren't that good, not great enough to be a legend but you did something that will not be forgotten. A gentle, respectful nod. Nothing more nothing less.
Thoughts?
Reader Comments (69)
Interesting topic this... Someone should write a book on it...
I think 'someone' did, but it wasn't very good. ;-)
A cult hero of the early 90s: Paul Stewart
Also agree with the Taricco shout... he was one dirty lil b'stard!
Cult hero in current squad: Has to be Crouchie...
Loved Paul Stewart after reinventing himself as a midfielder.
And then there's that cup final goal.
Freund for me was a cult hero due to his attitude, currently has to be Pav - his manager doesn't even rate him that highly yet he is Super Pav and will often score great goals. Bolton this season sticks in the mind as a goal nobody else in our squad could finish.
BAE is an icon of cool.
BAE's corn rows are like the strings of an aeolian harp which plays on the whims of the wind and is sustained by enigmatism.
ok, I'll stop now.
Big Sky Spur,
Dude, what are you on and where can I get some?
I second that!!!!
Inspired shit big sky, as ever!
Helder Postiga
Did he ever score for us? I remember the one goal.
He scored a league goal against City from what I remember. I think that was his first. I would need to wiki it to find out how many he got overall.
he scored 1 goal against Liverpool - the winner.
i think he was popular cos his name fitted a song - he comes from Portugal he hates the arsenal.
bit like Pav really - great song - average player.
You are correct. The goal against City was in a cup game.
This might shed some light on it
http://www.footballfancast.com/2011/03/football-blogs/the-essential-ingredients-of-a-cult-hero-in-football
A bit of gossip for what its worth - highlight of my week!!!
Flew back from Dubai this morning and had the pleasure of half the Spurs squad on the same flight. Had a chat with Jo Jordan and Kevin Bond on the walk to the passposrt control and then spent 10 minutes with Jo Jordan in the queue at passport control. Defoe is OK but it looks as if Bale is out and will not make the Milan game. Not sure whether he would tell me the truth anyway!!
Shame I was not on the next flight in, Harry, Modric, Gomes, Defoe Bale, VDV, Dawson were on that one.
They have the day off tomorrow and get together Friday!!
PS: Some flew economy class - the fringe players. Hutton - one miserable bastard - not a happy bunny!!!
Please tell me you got some photos or autographs or something. You should have asked if any of them read the blog.
Ha ha spooky. You attention whore.
Didn't think you'd be that concerned if Daniel, etc were interested in your musings.
lol, someone (works in media now) worked for Spurs 2 years back and said that people in the club read 'the blogs' (I'm assuming the people are the minions i.e. IT guys etc) and that I provided them with plenty of laughs. Stands to reason though, when the THFC runs a news feed that includes this site in it. But if I can get one player to endorse it, then I'll be validated having infiltrated their mindscape and my life will be complete.
Amen.
You have to start a campaign then (this blog, facebook, twitter, etc) getting any player to mention you. Maybe do it on a points system. vdV obviously being the ultimate accolade, JJ being about 2 pts and O'Hara -5
Considering what Spooky has written about some of the Spurs players, I doubt he'd ever get any of them display endorsement. Bloggers are hated. Just ask Bobby Zamora.