NORMAN GILLER'S SPURS ODYSSEY BLOG No 553
Submitted by Norman Giller

We don't want to waken the ghosts of great expectations, but last night was as good as its gets for we Spurs disciples. Suddenly we are thinking of trips to Ipswich and Coventry next season, rather than Stoke and Blackburn. There is still a lot of work to do, but that victory over Villa on top of the win at Wolves has put a bounce in our step.

Now all those moaners and groaners who have been poisoning the Tottenham air with their pessimism must get behind the team for the last three games: v. Leeds at home, Chelsea at the Bridge and then a last day clash against safe-as-houses Everton. It's going down to the wire but we have optimism as our companion rather than the defeatism that has been eating into so many supporters.

Likeable new manager Robert de Zerbi has given the players fresh belief in themselves. He has just the right personality - a little cocky, full or fire and confidence - to bring smiles back to Spurs faces, and I can't wait to see what sort of team he produces when he can call on the likes of Dejan Kulusevski, Xavi Simons, Dominic Solanke and James Maddison in the same side.

My Spurs Odyssey team-mate Declan Mulcahy gives his view of last night's fabulous performance HERE, and quite rightly spotlights the pulsating performance from Conor Gallagher.

We've waited a long while, but at last he looked the powerhouse who earned a World Cup place in the England squad in 2022 when wearing Chelsea blue. Last night, in a Tottenham team of delightful dancing daffodils, he played with a driving spirit and determination that epitomised this triumph, and he spread his passion to the entire side and all we hungry (many angry) supporters.

Spurs players were actually kissing each other with excitement, such was the pride and pleasure of this resurgence. It's been many matches coming, but we looked like a proper Tottenham team, with accurate, precise passing and a desire to boss the action.

I have probably gone OTT with this reaction, but let's be honest, we've waited a long long time for back to back victories. Now we must go all out for a hat-trick against Leeds next Monday. I shall give my reflections, hopefully positive ones, on the Tuesday. Let's hope we will all be buoyant and looking forward to playing Premier League football next season.

COYS!

Book plug alert, did I tell you I was the only reporter to get into the England dressing-room after the historic victory over West Germany in the 1966 World Cup final? I have written a diamond jubilee book about that wonderful July 30 day, and there's lots of focus on former Tottenham favourites Jimmy Greaves, Danny Blanchflower and, of course, Alf Ramsey.

I am sure you will all want to reward me for keeping you entertained here at my Spurs Odyssey perch, and if you go to www.normangiller.co.uk you can order my World Cup 1966 book at a huge saving.

Now then, nurse, my tablets please.

COYS

Here we go with the 34th week of our quiz that tests your knowledge of Tottenham players and the club's history ...

Who wears the No 28 Tottenham shirt, played for hosts France in the 2024 Olympics, and from which English club did he join Spurs?

Email your answer to me at soqleague@gmail.com and make the subject heading Quiz Week 34. Deadline: midnight this Saturday. 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.

Last week I asked: Who was born in Hampstead in 1931, started his career with Enfield before winning a League championship medal and back to back FA Cup winners medals with Spurs, and in which country did he finish his career?

Answer: Peter Baker/South Africa

See you back here next week. Hopefully we're all in equally good mood!

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