NORMAN GILLER’S SPURS ODYSSEY BLOG No 419
Submitted by Norman Giller

For a club in crisis (according to the keyboard warriors) Spurs are not doing badly, and Saturday's fight back from 0-2 down to a 3-2 victory at Bournemouth speaks volumes for the character in Antonio Conte's team. It was trick AND treat to silence the disbelievers.

If the loudmouths are not careful, they will chase away one of the most able of managers with their crude criticisms. Careful what you wish for. I lay in my 'flu bed watching the comeback and at two goals down you would think Conte was the worst enemy of those dumping dung on him.

It was hilarious to see them changing their tune and singing the team's praises by the time the recovery was completed with Rodrigo Bentancur's winning goal (described HERE by Spurs Odyssey reporter Declan Mulcahy).

The Uruguayan is quickly cementing himself into the Tottenham team as a vital part of the engine room and is quietly creating the sort of aura that surrounded the likes of John White and Martin Peters – somebody to be relied on in the heat of battle; the type who gets on and does his job without fuss or flashiness.

It was only when he joined the battle from the substitute's bench that we spectators thought that victory was suddenly a distinct possibility rather than a distant dream.

Anybody with an ounce of sense will know that Conte's Tottenham is a work in progress. It is a quiet revolution. He will tinker, twist and tighten with each transfer window, and I just hope he is given the chance to finish the job before being hurried out by ugly mob rule.

So now, after genteel Bournemouth, it's off to another coastal destination: Marseille, and those of us who have witnessed football in that volatile French port will confirm that Spurs can expect the hottest of hot welcomes tomorrow. Be prepared to witness real fanaticism.

It is going to take iron will from the team to grab the point that will guarantee progress in the Champions league, something that was cruelly snatched away from us by VAR after Our Harry's dramatic last-minute goal that was not a goal against Sporting Lisbon.

One thing on a point of sensitivity, Son Heung-min must be handled carefully and with understanding. He would not be human if he has not been devastated by the crowd-crushing disaster in Seoul. Our thoughts and sympathy are with him and all those victims of a mind-numbing tragedy.

Bon voyage, Spurs. Marseille awaits with open arms. Just be ready for a hug that hurts. … and beware of the points being pick pocketed.

Week thirteen (somebody please hold back the clock) of our ninth year of Spurs Odyssey Quiz League challenges:

Which former Spurs striker won 13 England caps, started his career with Ipswich Town and which club did he join from Tottenham in 2009?

Please email your answer to me at soqleague@gmail.com with Quiz Week 13 as the subject heading. Deadline midnight this Friday. I will respond to all who take part.

The rules are the same as in previous 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 tie-breaking poser that is based on opinion rather than fact. That’s when I lose the few friends that I have. But, hey, it's fun. Please join in.

This year’s prizes for the champion will be announced later in the season, but most important of all, they will include a framed certificate announcing the winner as 2023 SOQL champion.

Last week … Week 12: Which former Spurs defender grew up in Watford, won 26 international caps, later managed Newcastle and against which team did he collect an FA Cup winners' medal?

Yes, Joe Kinnear who came into the 1967 FA Cup winning team against Chelsea at the age of 20 after first choice Philip Beal had broken an arm. Sadly, Joe is now lost in the mists of dementia. He was one of my favourite characters, who had a Watford accent but true Irish wit.

See you back here next Monday, same time, same place. COYS!

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