NORMAN GILLER’S SPURS ODYSSEY BLOG No 253
Submitted by Norman Giller

The only pity about Tottenham’s blistering performance against Chelsea on Saturday is that the game was not the opener for the new stadium. It was a match that deserved an extra special setting, and it’s no exaggeration to say that 3-1 scoreline could easily have read 7-1.

Wouldn’t that have been something! But we mustn’t be greedy. There are lots of mountains still to climb before the golden cockerel can start crowing from its new perch above the Spurs home-to-be.

Manager supreme Mauricio Pochettino struck just the right note at the end of the dismantling of a team that has given us more Premier League heartache than most opponents. “Now is the time to be quiet and humble,” he said, with what I can only describe as Bill Nicholson style feet-on-the-floor good sense. “As well as we played, we still only got three points. We still have much to do. We must stay calm and focused.”

There is so much about Pochettino that reminds me of Mr Spurs. He has the same positive philosophy about the Beautiful Game as Bill Nicholson, but you never hear him bragging about his achievements. Like the Poch, Bill Nick never went in for getting carried away with performances that had those around him dancing with delight.

I can never imagine Pochettino becoming a jungle contestant in ‘I’m A Celebrity … Get Me Out of Here …’ We’ll leave that one to ‘Arry Boy.

The time for crowing is once there is silverware on the table. Until then, we must do it the Pochettino/Nicholson way: take one game at a time, stay dignified and be confident but not cocky.

Our Spurs Odyssey guru Paul H. Smith captures the glorious action against Chelsea HERE, and emphasises that it was a team triumph. Yes, it was a collective display, but studded with exceptional individual performances … the Gilzean-style headed goal from Dele, the shoot-on-sight policy from Our Harry … the wonder goal from Sonny, showing acceleration out of the Usain Bolt school. U-Son Bolt! (Ed:- Nice one Norman!)

What gave me quiet satisfaction was yet another sizzling contribution from Moussa Sissoko, silencing all those critics who would have sent him packing from the club months ago. Not since the far-off days of Honest John Pratt have I seen a Spurs player take such stick from his own supporters, but Pochettino has kept faith with him and is now getting the rewards for standing by his man.

There are still slim chances of Spurs going to the next stage in the Champions’ League if they can master Inter Milan on Wednesday. Then comes the little matter of the first of two North London Derbies in December.

Meantime, do it the Pochettino/Nicholson way. Stay cool, calm and composed.

Question No 15 in this 2018-19 SOQL season:

Who started his career with Bayern Munich, won 44 international caps and against which team did he score a League Cup winning goal for Tottenham?

Please email your answer to me at SOQL15@normangillerbooks.com. Deadline: midnight this Friday. I will respond to all who take part.

This year’s prizes for the champion: A framed Harry Kane autographed picture, two books from my Spurs collection with autographs from Jimmy Greaves, Steve Perryman and Dave Mackay, and (most precious of all) a framed certificate announcing the winner as SOQL champion.

Last week I asked: Which current England international has Spanish ancestry, and used to wear the No 29 Spurs shirt? Against which London team did he score in his first full Premier League match?

Yes, of course, “the other” Harry … Winks, who scored in his full Premier League debut against West Ham, and then jumped into the arms of Mauricio Pochettino after racing to the touchline. Nobody was staying calm!

Please keep a check on your scores. I will be trusting you to count your points as I do not have faith in my email server.

Thank you for taking part. See you back here same time, same place next week. Keep the faith. COYS!

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