Andy Sinton won 12 England caps and once gave up the chance to join Arsenal by standing up to George Graham. He talks about his former clubs, that infamous World Cup qualifier in Rotterdam and being Director of Football at Fleet Town.

Then: Where were you on the pitch when David Platt was brought down by Ronald Koeman?

I was on the halfway line because it was my pass that put Platty through.

I couldn’t see from that distance if the foul had been inside or outside the area but I knew Koeman had been the last man and assumed 100 per cent he was going to be sent off.

It didn’t happen of course and a few minutes later he scored to end our World Cup hopes. I had started the game on the bench but came on, I think it was for Carlton Palmer, and could’ve been the hero setting up the first goal for Platty!

Now: Have you been surprised by Tottenham's start to the season?

There had been so many changes with the manager, director of football and new players, I thought the first few weeks would be a struggle. But they got a good draw against Liverpool in the opening game and done very well.

It has surprised me but their strength is obviously in attack where Jermain Defoe is one of the Premiership’s dangermen.

Then: Was Les Ferdinand the best striker you played with?

I played for Les for a long time and he was brilliant no doubt. But I also had the pleasure to be in the same team as Alan Shearer for England and Teddy Sheringham at Spurs.

The main striker at Sheffield Wednesday during my time there was David Hirst. If he had managed to steer clear of injuries, I think he would have turned out to be the best of the lot.

Now: What chance do QPR have of ever being a top-10 Premiership club again?

Very slim I am afraid. It’s amazing to think that in my last season for QPR, we finished fifth in the Premiership and we were London’s top club. Since then, the financial constraints have hit the club hard.

Ian Holloway is doing a great job and they are on the rise but it will take a long, long time before they can get back to where they were.

Then: Do you feel Graham Taylor got a raw deal as England manager?

I do really. Of course managers are judged on results and Graham’s results weren’t the best in the major championships. But some of the criticism he got was totally personal and nothing to do with results.

The papers went over the top and I think he had a lot of sympathy from the players.

Now: A lot ex-players do their coaching badges. Have you gone down that route?

I do some coaching at Fleet Town in the Ryman League and play a few games for them as well because I’m a friend of the vice-chairman. But I haven’t done any badges yet, maybe in a couple of years.

At the moment, I am involved in a couple of businesses, one called Domo that supplies artificial pitches and a company that can help improve people’s diets by taking their blood samples and telling them what they need more or less of.

Then: What did Trevor Francis say to persuade you to join Sheffield Wednesday instead of Arsenal?

It’s good to get a chance to clear this up. I never chose Sheffield Wednesday ahead of Arsenal, it was just that Arsenal pulled out before I spoke to Trevor Francis.

For some reason that I still don’t know the answer to, QPR accepted a bid from Arsenal but wouldn’t let me talk to Wednesday.

I was adamant that I wouldn’t make a decision until I had been allowed to speak to Wednesday. I think George Graham got fed up by the waiting and basically withdrew his interest.

Now: George Best singled you out as one of the most exciting players of your day. Who gets you on the edge of your seat now?

It has to be Arsenal lads. Thierry Henry does things no other player in the Premiership can. I am also a big fan of Robert Pires.

Like me, he is a right-footed player who starts on the left but drifts over the field. He scores a lot more goals than I did though and his technical ability is probably far better!