NORMAN GILLER'S SPURS ODYSSEY BLOG No 484
Submitted by Norman Giller

The blanket of depression that dropped on many Spurs supporters after yesterday's defeat at Newcastle is an ageing process that I do not recommend. I refuse to become contaminated by the poison of pessimism that is contagious, and Dr Giller suggests some positive thinking as a remedy.

There were 25 minutes in the second-half when Tottenham played the Geordies off their St James' Park, and that's the memory I will take from a match that left us as frustrated as pianists trying to play with the lid closed.

Ange Postecoglou must continue with his bold attacking football and not be put off by those who are not necessarily keyboard warriors but definitely worriers. It just needs an improvement in that last third of the field in which so many teams lose their way.

In the two matches at Leicester and Newcastle Spurs have created THIRTY FIVE chances, and if just a couple of them had gone in the on-line and phone-in critics kicking the team would have changed their funereal tune and tone.

Many are tossing in the towel after only three matches. I just hope this morose mood does not spread to the players, who are playing some wonderful front foot football but with finishing that lacks, dare I say, the ruthlessness of a Harry Kane.

But let's remember, we went into the game without injured strikers Dominic Solanke and Richarlison, while the defence missed the majestic presence of Van de Ven. The moaners and groaners did not seem to take that into account with their post-match inquests.

There's the simple task coming up after the international break of playing the Arsenal. Let's get that out of the way before committing hara-kiri.

My Spurs Odyssey team-mate Declan Mulcahy gives the match facts HERE, and his account confirms that it was Tottenham who had the lion's share of the game on a hunting ground that has not been kind to Spurs of late.

The brightest thing to come out of the gloom of Geordieland is that Brennan 'Brengun' Johnson was electrifying when sent on from the bench. He played with a pace and precision that suggests he can develop into a Supersub.

My plea to all pessimists: Heads up. This could be a very special Tottenham team but they need full support, not the wounding arrows being fired from keyboard assassins.

I wonder what we will all be saying after the visit from the Woolwich Nomads?

My column - and positive thoughts - will be back on Monday week. I need that break, too! Trying to stop the team drowning in the waves of pessimism is akin to being a Canute (some others may use a more cutting description).

COYS!

So here we are already in the fourth week of our eleventh season of the Spurs Odyssey Quiz League, and the question is:

Which son of a professional footballer has won 127 caps and from which German team did he join Spurs in 2015?

Please email your answer to me at soqleague@gmail.com and make the subject heading Quiz Week 4. 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 ten 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 year's main prize will be a framed certificate announcing the winner as SOQL champion 2025, plus three signed books to be revealed at a later date. Last week's question: Who won seven England caps, played in the 1986 World Cup finals and from which club did he join Spurs in 1983?

Answer: Gary Stevens, Brighton

See you back here on Monday week after the international break. COYS!

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