The Hoddle of Coffee: Tottenham Hotspur News and Links for Friday, January 12

Hi, all!

Only one more day until another match. Feels like a lengthy wait from the last time out, does it not? I am clearly suffering from holiday season withdrawal.

Let me get to that ramble, though.

Ramble of the Day

I went to the movies last night and saw I, Tonya. I was interested in seeing the film after watching the trailer and hearing that it was well-reviewed, but a few weeks ago, I decided that I should get a bit more familiar with the story before seeing the film. I checked out 30 For 30: The Price of Gold, which conveniently aired on ESPN just when I needed it to.

Let me start with the fact that I did not know the story at all. If someone had asked me, I would have pictured Tonya Harding taking an axe or something less bloody to Nancy Kerrigan’s knee. Turns out, that was not the case. Harding was not even in the building when it happened, so that version could not be true. (That does not necessarily make Harding not guilty, but it’s interesting how I ended up with that version of events.)

I was about to drop my feeling on the matter rather casually, but then I had to go check and see if this is still a controversial matter. Apparently, it still is! I read snippets of interviews and op-eds sympathizing with Harding, and op-eds that find the redemption story difficult to bare. Dropping a quick little opinion on the topic and moving on in an attempt to not make the Hoddle 1,000 words, all of a sudden, did not seem like a viable option. Clearly, this opinion would need explaining, but I won’t bog down the Hoddle. That would be a bit cruel.

But I cannot just leave you guys hanging, can I? I suppose I’ll make it short. I can imagine a world in which Harding was not involved with planning the event. Maybe it’s my inner conspiracy theorist kicking in, but I can envision it.

I’m going to leave it there and be casual even though I said that might not be appropriate for the issue, because, after all, no one wants a 1,000 word Hoddle. (It was either that or ramble about Diet Coke’s rebrand even though I hate soda.)

Anyway, if you want recommendations, I have some. If you have to watch one, watch The Price of Gold. If you’re going to watch both, watch The Price of Gold first.

Now, how about some links?

Links of the Day

Today is the first day women in Saudi Arabia can attend matches.

Bristol City’s Josh Brownhill wrote a poem when he was 11 about his idol, Wayne Rooney.

Today’s longer read: The story of the Prime Minister of Hungary, Viktor Orbán, whose football obsession may be detrimental.