NORMAN GILLER'S SPURS ODYSSEY BLOG No 521
Submitted by Norman Giller

It will be 75 years ago next month that I first saw Push-and-Run Spurs play and I've been carrying a torch for Tottenham ever since, and the thumping start-of-season victory over Burnley made it burn even brighter. The real test will come against Man City at the Etihad on Saturday, by which time manager Thomas Frank will know if he can add the explosive Eberechi Eze to his squad.

I am assured the deal is ready to be wrapped up, and Eagle Eze is happy to become a glory-hungry Cockerel (and for a sentence like that I will understand if you want to give me the bird).

Most of my pre-season pessimism evaporated as Spurs took Burnley apart, with the enigmatic Richarlison living up to all his promise from his days at Watford and then Everton. That second goal - a volley described HERE by our guru Paul H. Smith - is an early contender for strike of the season.

While I loved this all-action Richarlison playing Brazilian football under blue English skies, I was even more impressed by the midfield probing and artistry of Mohammed Kudus. The Ghanaian international was the inspiration behind the best Tottenham moves and I am licking my lips at the prospect of seeing him line up alongside the equally gifted Eze.

When I am taken for my regular morning walk by our family dog - a fox-red Labrador called Betsy-Boo - I chat to a near neighbour who is a Hammers season ticket holder.

He has been spitting blood over the transfer of Kudus to what he calls "the enemy". I am looking forward to describing the impressive Kudus input to this victory. It will drive him barking mad.

But it's Saturday's visit to the Etihad that will give us a better clue as to just how good a season this could be. We have a habit of producing our best against City and one or three points there will be a signpost to exciting days ahead.

Blue Moon? A win would make this Tottenham addict OVER the moon ... even after 75 years of celebrating and suffering in equal measure (Tedious trivia from 'Know-all' Norm: Blue Moon was composed by Richard Rodgers, as was You'll Never Walk Alone, the Anfield anthem. So a New York Jewish genius who never saw a game of soccer in his life has Liverpool and Man City fans singing their heads off!).

Hope we're also celebrating over the fact that The Eagle has landed (and I am told it's likely that stunning winger Savinho is still coming in from Man City). It's all happening, folks, and will be recorded here in Spurs Odyssey, the website for discerning Tottenham fans...

COYS!

Here we go with the second week of our quiz that tests your knowledge of Tottenham players and the club's history...

Who wore the No 4 shirt in Tottenham's famous Push-and-Run championship-winning team, and against which country did he score for England with his first kick in international football?

Please email your answer to me at soqleague@gmail.com and make the subject heading Quiz Week 2. Deadline: midnight this Friday. I will do my best to respond to all who take part.

The rules are the same as in the previous 11 seasons. I ask a two-pronged question with three points at stake - two for identifying the player and one for the supplementary question. In the closing weeks of the competition I break the logjam of all-knowing Spurs-history experts with a real stinker of a tie-breaking poser that is based on opinion rather than fact. This is when I lose what few friends I have.

This season's main prize will be a framed certificate announcing the winner as SOQL champion 2026, plus three signed books to be revealed at a later date. Our current champion is Sue Webb, who was among many of you who go this season's easy-peasy kick-off question right.

Answer to question number one last week: Jimmy Greaves/Blackpool

See you back here on Monday.

COYS!

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