When club legend Glenn Hoddle was appointed the new manager of Tottenham Hotspur in March 2001, his return to White Hart Lane was met by a mixture of anticipation and excitement.

Following years of mediocrity in the Premier League - Spurs hadn't finished in the top five in over a decade - there was a belief that the former England head coach was the man that would get the North Londoners battling in the upper echelons of the table once again.

Having assessed his playing options prior to the end of the 2000-01 campaign, Hoddle's transfer policy during the pre-season break that followed seemed clear - add as much experience as possible.

Indeed, recently this column honed in on Teddy Sheringham's return to the Lane following a four-year spell with Manchester United and 14 years ago today, Hoddle secured the services of another veteran player.

Gus Poyet had served Chelsea well since his arrival from Real Zaragoza in 1997, helping the Blues to win the FA Cup, UEFA Cup Winners' Cup, UEFA Super Cup and a Charity Shield.

However, with Frank Lampard on the verge of signing on at Stamford Bridge from West Ham United, the Uruguayan's services were no longer required. A reported offer of £1.5m was lodged by Spurs and shortly after Poyet was moving across the English capital.

"I just had a feeling that it was time to leave. I've never been in the papers crying like a baby, saying the manager is this or the manager is that. But when you're not playing, you feel that maybe you're not part of the new Chelsea," the 33-year-old told reporters.

Hoddle added: "We've got some terrific young players but they need guidance. The ingredients missing at this club are experience and knowing how to win. Both [Poyet and Sheringham] have still got a massive will to win and they'll bring the young players on leaps and bounds.

"There is a new pair of curtains opening for him. You've only got to look at what a 37-year-old [Gary McAllister] did for Liverpool this season. I don't need to say any more."

On a personal level, Poyet's first season as a Spurs player was a success. He scored 14 times in all competitions, making him the club's leading goalscorer. The Lilywhites reached that term's League Cup final, but they lost out to Blackburn Rovers in a game that saw Poyet substituted late on.

It was after that campaign that injuries started to hamper Poyet, who damaged his cruciate ligament for the second time in his career in 2002, which ruled him out of action for a number of months.

His contract with Spurs expired in 2004 and soon after the attacking midfielder announced his retirement, having scored 18 goals in 82 Premier League outings for his final club.