NORMAN GILLER'S SPURS ODYSSEY BLOG No 464
Submitted by Norman Giller

It's amazing what a goal can do! Pedro Porro's wonder strike against Burnley put a spring in our step and had us day dreaming of Wembley ... well, at least of the fourth round of the FA Cup, in which we will meet holders Manchester City at home. Easy-peasy!

Just suppose Porro had not produced that moment of magic from his box of tricks (captured HERE by my Spurs Odyssey team-mate Declan Mulcahy). It would have meant a trek up to Turf Moor for an awkward replay and the keyboard warriors would have been gunning for Ange Postecoglou and anybody else with Spurs connection.

The social media is a minefield and over-populated with people showing no patience and poised to fire poison darts at anybody not meeting their expectations. Who the hell do they think they are? Get behind the team or get out of the way.

The know-alls have given mixed reactions to the likely arrival on loan of former Chelsea forward Timo Werner from RB Leipzig. I think Ange could bring the best out of a player who is at home as a support striker. and would thrive on the passes of James Maddison. He is injury prone, so his medical check this week will be thorough.

I understand that two more players are being lined up to give strength in depth to Ange's squad, with the much-maligned Eric Dier on notice to join his old buddy Harry Kane at Bayern Munich. That will be rubber stamped when Spurs have clinched the signing of a central defender.

Harry shares my high rating of Dier, who has been all but boiled in oil on line by people who (to quote my dear old friend Bill Nicholson) 'could not trap a bag of cement.'

Talking of the sainted Bill Nick, I am delighted to report that Steve 'Skip' Perryman and I have got the blessing of Tottenham's official publishers to produce a jointly written book on Nicholson. It will be called 'SIR BILL', and will be the definitive biography of Tottenham's greatest servant.

Steve and Norman, Co-authors of "Sir Bill"

Between us, Steve and I think we knew The Master better than most. I had conversations with him over a span of more than 40 years and will cover Bill Nicholson, The Man. Steve was given the first of his club record 854 caps by Bill and will weigh in with thoughts on Bill Nicholson the Manager.

We plan to bring the book out to mark the 20th anniversary of Bill's passing in November. It will be a labour of love for Steve and I to pay tribute to one of the most dedicated people to cross our paths. He had Lilywhite blood.

Next up for mighty Spurs - sitting in fifth place in the table - is a challenging trip to Old Trafford on Sunday for a difficult match with a Manchester United side that has become completely unpredictable.

Please get behind the team, not in its way. COYS!

Week 21 of season nine of the Spurs Odyssey Quiz League challenge, and the question is:

Who won 36 international caps, played in the 1998 World Cup finals and which manager signed him for Spurs from Swindon

Please email your answer to me at soqleague@gmail.com and make the subject heading Quiz Week 21 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 eight 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 become as popular as Sol Campbell in an Arsenal shirt.

This year's main prize will be a framed certificate announcing the winner as SOQL champion 2024, plus three signed books to be revealed at a later date. We have retired the omniscient David Guthrie after his three victories.

Last week's question:

Who won 119 international caps, scored one goal for Tottenham, and from which then Third Division club did he join Spurs?

Answer: Pat Jennings/Watford

See you back here ... on Monday. COYS!

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