It was a comment to make even the toughest Spurs supporter go weak at the knees.
"Wilson Palacios is in the Graham Roberts mould," said Harry Redknapp ahead of Tottenham's trip to Hull tonight. "He rolls his sleeves up, he's hard and gives everything each week. I think he will be a real hero at this club."
The Spurs boss does not issue glowing compliments lightly and, at White Hart Lane at least, there is no greater praise than a comparison to Roberts, one of Tottenham's true all-time greats.
Yet Palacios is already proving himself worthy of such veneration. The Honduran is the kind of all-action midfielder Tottenham have lacked for too long, a player of substance to underpin the stylish contributions of Tom Huddlestone, Luka Modric and Aaron Lennon.
He was the outstanding performer in Tottenham's richly deserved victory over Liverpool last weekend and he will be expected to grit his teeth again this evening as his side aim to build on their turbo-charged start.
A midweek outing to a far-flung northern outpost is not traditionally Spurs' forte, but with the tireless Palacios in place anything seems possible, including a possible top-four finish.
"Wilson is not the type of guy you would want to play against," Redknapp added.
"He makes it very difficult. He might turn the ball over occasionally but his effort, enthusiasm, strength and work has won everyone over. He leads by example.
"With the players we've got like him I expect us to do better. We finished eighth last year even after that start we had, so there is no reason why we can't do better this year, with a better start."
Jermaine Jenas (groin) is still sidelined and will miss out while Hull midfielder Dean Marney will not face his former club due to a knee injury.
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